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FERRARI CHALLENGE DEALER TEAM GB HEADS TO MONZA 23-24-25 MARCH 2007
23 March 2007 - Ferrari

Following an outstanding first season, with two wins, five poles and several podium finishes in 2006, the Ferrari Challenge Dealer Team GB enters its second full year of competition with an even larger stable of “Cavallino Rampante” thoroughbred race cars which head to Monza, “The Temple of Speed”, for the first of 14 races in the Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli European Championship.

The Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli remains one of the most exclusive and exciting racing series for dedicated clients who crave the thrill of competing at the highest level of motor sport in one of the world’s most rewarding race cars, the Ferrari F430 Challenge.

With a 490hp V8 engine, every car is equally matched to ensure that competition remains intense throughout the 40 minute endurance races at the premiere race circuits around Europe. There are two separate classes in the championship: the Trofeo Pirelli for seasoned competitors, and the Coppa Shell for clients who have only recently started taking to the track. New for 2007 is a special “Young Drivers Cup” which is reserved for drivers competing in the Trofeo Pirelli category who are under the age of 30.

The Ferrari Challenge Dealer Team GB is supported by expert technicians from Ferrari GB and the Ferrari Dealer Network in the UK and competes in both the Trofeo Pirelli and Coppa Shell categories of the Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli European Championship. The team’s stable of race-prepared F430 Challenge cars are fitted with GPS telemetry which enables the drivers to see a whole array of technical data and compare it with other members of the team to shave a few tenths of a second off their lap times. And, with dedicated hospitality for the drivers which is the envy of the pitlane, the Ferrari Challenge Dealer Team GB continues to set the standard both on and off the track.

During 2007, the Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli will travel to some of the most challenging and exciting premiere motor racing circuits in Europe, with the first green flag of the season waving at historic Monza, affectionately and quite rightly nicknamed the “Temple of Speed”.

Another high-speed circuit on the calendar is Silverstone in the UK, where the Ferrari Challenge Dealer Team GB will have the advantage of a home crowd and the support of the Ferrari Owners Club in the UK who are also celebrating their 40th Anniversary at the Ferrari Racing Days spectacular from 8-9-10 June. Special advance purchase “Weekend” tickets are available for only £20 (+P&P) by calling the Ferrari Racing Days Ticket Hotline on 08704 588 320. Children under 16 go free when accompanied by a paying adult. Ferrari owners should contact their local Ferrari dealer for exclusive Ferrari hospitality packages which include VIP parking for Ferraris only.

The Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli

It was in 1993 with the Ferrari 348 Berlinetta that the Ferrari Challenge first took to the race tracks of the world. With the development of the F355 and then the outstanding 360 Challenge, the series has grown to take in three championships: the USA, Europe and a dedicated Italian series. All of which offer the chance for clients to enjoy the unique sensation of being a Ferrari racing driver with the full support of factory trained technicians and race crew.

The racing follows the format of any professional race series with a three-day meeting around a weekend. There are two distinct classes within the Ferrari Challenge: the Trofeo Pirelli for the more experienced drivers and the Coppa Shell for those who are new to racing.

In the European Championship, there are seven six weekend race meetings on some of the most challenging and iconice race circuits: Monza, Misano, Silverstone, Spa, Paul Ricard, Hockenheim and at the World Finals in Italy (location TBC).

Each race weekend starts on Friday with free practice and qualifying and includes 40 minute races on both Saturday and Sunday, allowing time for the drivers to relax and enjoy the luxury of their surroundings – this is a Ferrari event after all.

The latest technology on the cars, the best pit crews with the most sophisticated equipment, the most enthusiastic Ferrari owners driving the most modern F430 Challenge cars on the finest racing circuits can only mean one thing - The Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli is in town.

Race Calendar

ROUND
DATE
CIRCUIT
COUNTRY

1
March 23,24,25
Monza
Italy

2
April 20,21,22
Misano
Italy

3
June 8,9,10
Silverstone
England

4
July 26,27,28
Spa
Belgium

5
Aug 31– Sept 1,2
Paul Ricard
France

6
September 21,22,23
Hockenheim
Germany

7
October 25,26,27,28
World Finals
Italy

Race Meeting Format

Friday

Sporting and Technical Scrutineering
Free Practice = 30 mins x 2 sessions
Qualifying 1 (for Race 1) = 30 mins
Saturday

Qualifying 2 (for Race 2) = 30 mins
Race 1 = 40 mins
Sunday

Race 2 = 40 mins
Ferrari Challenge Dealer Team GB

The team has been created to offer Ferrari clients the opportunity to participate in a competitive racing environment with the full support of the Ferrari network. The team is based at purpose-built racing premises owned by Ferrari GB at the Silverstone racing circuit.

There are three official Ferrari dealers who have combined with Ferrari GB to create the team:

Graypaul is the official Ferrari dealer based in Nottingham and is geographically the closest dealer to Silverstone, bringing strong links with Challenge racing.
H R Owen operates from premises in central London and brings a new range of customers keen to explore the performance offered by the F430 Challenge.
Maranello Sales Limited located in Egham at the famous Tower Garage also has a strong racing heritage with previous victories in the Challenge series.
The 2007 season provides a new platform for Ferrari clients to experience the thrill of racing and to taste the atmosphere as the team competes across Europe. Each race meeting will see clients sampling the experience, whilst the technicians from the respective dealers work on the race cars in the pits.

Ferrari GB provides a focus for the teams, ensuring continuity and the close links with Ferrari S.p.A. in Italy to create the best possible environment for the drivers to succeed.

In 2005 Ferrari GB created a new driving programme, Fiorano Ferrari, to offer Ferrari clients the opportunity to experience the passion of driving their cars on-track at the finest racing circuits in Europe. There are driving events in Silverstone, Donington, Goodwood, Spa-Francorchamps, Monza, Brno, Valencia, Nürburgring amongst the activities in 2007. Every event offers the chance to drive on-track, with Ferrari instructors in true Ferrari style.

The Fiorano Ferrari programme enables clients who develop a real interest in racing to progress through the stages on the way to achieving their racing licence. The Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli is the perfect goal for such clients and the Ferrari Challenge Dealer Team GB offers the route to achieving it.

The Drivers
The drivers in a race team are the key to the team’s success – especially in a championship like the Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli where all the cars are essentially identical, with only minor changes allowed to suspension geometries. All the preparation and all the pre-race planning counts for nothing if the driver cannot make it to the front of the field and see the chequered flag wave.

The Ferrari Challenge Dealer Team GB is pleased to welcome some new drivers to the team this year, some of whom have considerable experience in a variety of racing championships, and some of whom are new to Ferrari racing.

Car 27


Driver: Nathan Kinch

Nationality:
British

Category:
Trofeo Pirelli

First drove a car:
1994 – Jeep Wrangler

First race:
2001 – Knockhill

First win:
2001 – Knockhill

First Ferrari race:
2001 – Castle Combe / Pirelli Maranello Ferrari Challenge

Best finish in a Ferrari:
1st

Best racing memory:
Winning 05’ British GT Championship Title in Ireland

Sporting heroes:
Lance Armstrong

Favourite sports:
Golf, Snowboarding, Moto X

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS


2001 European Ferrari Challenge (360) &
Pirelli Maranello Ferrari Challenge (360)
16 Class Wins

2002
British GT Championship (Saleen S7R) Several Historic Group C Races
1 Win
2 Wins

2003
FIA GT Championship (Lister Storm)
Le Mans 24 Hours
2 Wins
D.N.F

2004
British GT Championship (F360 GTC)
Championship Position: 3rd
6 Wins

2005
British GT Championship (F360 GTC)
Championship Winner
Le Mans 24 Hours
Le Mans Endurance Series
Championship Runner Up
11 Wins

D.N.F
1 Win

2006
FIA GT Championship (F430 GT2)
3 Wins

Car 151


Name: Peter Bamford

Nationality:
British

Category:
Coppa Shell

First drove a car:
Austin 1100, age 17

First race:
Brands Hatch, Britcar

First win:
to come

First Ferrari race:
Paul Ricard, France – 2006

Best finish in a Ferrari:
16th – Monza October 2006

Best racing memory:
Britcar 24 h Silverstone 2006

Favourite sports:
Motor racing, Skiing, Sailing

Current road car(s):
Ferrari Challenge Stradale, Ferrari 355 Berlinetta, Audi A6, Jaguar E Type

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS


2006 Radical SR3, Porsche 997 and Formula Ford races
Competed in three Ferrari Challenge races
Participated in the Britcar 24hr race at Silverstone

Car 152


Name: Jamie Constable

Nationality:
British

Category:
Coppa Shell

First drove a car:
age 15 – Triumph

First race:
2000 – Snetterton

First win:
Dijon Double Win, Caterham Euro Cup

First Ferrari race:
New

Best finish in a Ferrari:
First race…

Best racing memory:
Dijon Double Win

Sporting heroes:
Jim Clark, Ronny Peterson

Favourite sports:
Skiing, Racing

Current road car(s):
F430, soon 599 GTB Fiorano

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS


2005 Eurocup Caterham Champion, Superlight 1800

Car 153


Name: Daniel Waechter

Nationality:
Swiss

Category:
Coppa Shell

First drove a car:
aged 14 – Chevrolet Nova

First race:
1989 – Formula Ford

First win:
1990 – Spain

First Ferrari race:
New

Best finish in a Ferrari:
First race…

Best racing memory:
Victory, Kart race Mallorca 1990

Sporting heroes:
Ayrton Senna, Nigel Mansell

Favourite sports:
Skiing, Windsurfing, Polo

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS


2007 Joined Ferrari Challenge Dealer Team GB

Car 153


Name: Peer Slipsager

Nationality:
Denmark

Category:
Coppa Shell

First drove a car:
Citroen Palace

First race:
Monza – March 2007

First win:
To come

First Ferrari race:
Monza – March 2007

Best finish in a Ferrari:
Monza – March 2007

Best racing memory:


Sporting heroes:


Favourite sports:
Racing, Skiing

Current road car(s):
430 Spider, 612 Scaglietti (with winter tyres)

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS


2007 Joined Ferrari Challenge Dealer Team GB

Car 154


Name: Yannick Mallegol

Nationality:
French

Category:
Coppa Shell

First drove a car:
1986

First race:
1991

First win:
Next race!

First Ferrari race:
Monza – March 2007

Best finish in a Ferrari:
Monza – March 2007

Best racing memory:
first race

Sporting heroes:
Carl Lewis

Favourite sports:
Tennis, Golf and Skiing

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS


2007 Joined Ferrari Challenge Dealer Team GB

Car 154


Name: Jean Marc Bachelier

Nationality:
French

Category:
Coppa Shell

First drove a car:
1975

First race:
1992

First win:
2000

First Ferrari race:
Monza – March 2007

Best finish in a Ferrari:
Monza – March 2007

Best racing memory:
First race

Sporting heroes:
Michael Schumacher

Favourite sports:
Skiing

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS


2007 Joined Ferrari Challenge Dealer Team GB

FERRARI F430 CHALLENGE – THE CAR

Overview

The F430 Challenge contains the same general look and 490 hp engine as the road-going version. However, it also incorporates a number of significant track-orientated modifications and a host of new features not seen in its predecessor, the 360 Challenge which retired from this category of racing at the end of 2006.
As ever, the transfer from Formula 1 is significant, particularly with regard to the braking system, which uses carbon ceramic material (CCM) – a first for a Ferrari sports competition car. The electronic gearbox is also F1–derived and works in exactly the same way as the one used aboard the Grand Prix car. Fifth and sixth gear ratios have also been modified with respect to the road-going version as has the final drive ratio in order to make the very most of the engine on all the circuits the F430 will race.

New 19” slick tyres were also developed specifically by Pirelli and are designed to comply with the very strict racing regulations that demand endurance whilst still delivering blistering performance.
The most notable of the other solutions introduced in the new F430 Challenge is the new steering wheel with a quick release mechanism to make it easier to get into and out of the car. The wheel is also equipped with buttons for radio contact with the pits to set the pit lane speed and interface with a new colour digital instrument panel.

The rear of the car is characterised by a new exhaust system which has high central tail pipes, and by the modified grille which increases the extraction of hot air from the rear of the engine bay.

The anti–roll bars, springs and single–rate shocks have all been modified for racing use too. The centre locking wheels makes wheel changes faster, as does the fact that the car incorporates pneumatic jacks.

Technical Specification

Dimensions and Weights


Overall length 4512 mm

Overall Width
1923 mm

Height
1184 mm

Wheel Base
2600 mm

Front Track
1669 mm

Rear Track
1616 mm

Minimum Weight
1225 kg

Fuel Tank Capacity
100 litres

Engine


Type V8 90°

Bore/Stroke
92 x 81 mm

Unit Displacement
538.5 cc

Total Displacement
4308 cc

Compression Ratio
11.3:1

Maximum Power
490hp (360 kW) @ 8500rpm

Maximum Torque
343 lbft (465Nm) @ 5250rpm

Tyres


Front 235/645 19”

Rear
295/680 19”

Internal equipment

New racing carbon fibre seat
Steel modular Roll bar cage (FIA compliant)
HANS compatible (Head and Neck Safety System)
Pneumatic lift system
6-point safety harnesses
Lexan for windscreen and side glasses
Fast-removable steering wheel with buttons (radio box connection – radio not included, instrument scroll, pit speed)
TFT colour instruments with data recording (8MB)
Electric fire extinguisher system
Other F430 Challenge car facts

The engine must be strictly standard. For this reason engines will be sealed directly by Ferrari so that no work can be carried out on them.
Gearbox is as prescribed by Ferrari S.p.A.
The brake and accelerator pedal surfaces may be customised.
The seat supplied by Ferrari must be retained, along with its relative fixing screws for securing it to the body.
Any type and size Steering wheel and hub may be used and fitted with shims to suit the Driver’s requirements.
No part of the car body may be retouched or modified. All parts must correspond in size, appearance and material to the originals. The original position of car body parts may not be altered, nor adhesive tape affixed nor bonnets, bumpers or doors, etc., modified to improve the car’s aerodynamics.
All cars must use fuel and lubricants provided by Shell
F430 Challenge car vs. 360 Challenge car
22% more power
25% more torque
12% bigger brake discs
Carbon ceramic discs vs. steel
New 19” slick tyres developed by Pirelli


FERRARI CHALLENGE DEALER TEAM GB – KEY PERSONNEL

Enrico Bertaggia
Enrico is Motorsport Director for the team. He has an enviable record as a racing driver with a career that included Formula 1, Formula 3 (Italian Champion and winner of Macau and Monaco), Super Touring Cars (Alfa Romeo, Peugeot and Ford) and he remains as Chief Instructor of the Italian Motorsport Commission.

Since 2005 Enrico has also been Motorsport Director for Ferrari GB developing the Fiorano Ferrari driving programmes for Ferrari clients, offering driving experiences on race circuits across the UK and mainland Europe. Fiorano Ferrari provides a complete route for Ferrari clients to develop their driving skills from basic through to racing in the Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli and beyond.
See www.fioranoferrari.com for more details.

Paolo Pedersoli
Technical Director for the team and based at Ferrari GB’s dedicated motorsport division at Silverstone in the UK, Paolo joined from the former Sauber Formula 1 team with the experience taught from many years developing cars and components to face the toughest circuits in the world.

With Swiss, German and Italian influences in his life, Paolo combines the best of all three nations and brings together his knowledge designing and testing cars in Formula 3 and CART.

Ferrari Challenge Dealer Team GB – Partners

Every successful racing team in the world achieves its victories through teamwork. The Ferrari Challenge Dealer Team GB aims to do the same and is working with the leading brands in their fields to support the team in that goal.

Black & Decker is a leading global manufacturer and innovator of power tools and accessories, hardware and home improvement products, and technology- based fastening systems. Employing approximately 26000 people in five core operating regions around the world marketing products to 100 countries. Being a visionary, customer focused brand, Black & Decker aims to empower people with intelligent solutions for everyday life, ensuring great results every time. The company stands for the values of integrity, leadership, teamwork and results.

Vertu is the leading manufacturer of handcrafted mobile phones for the luxury market. Born from an obsession to create a handset that deployed craftsmanship and technology in a way that had never been achieved before, Vertu looked beyond the world of mobile phones. Its inspiration came from the finest watches, exquisite jewellery and the most exhilarating cars. A Vertu is the antithesis of mass production. It is hand-assembled, original and unique. Vertu phones are hand assembled at the company''s headquarters in the United Kingdom and are available in Vertu''s own stores and some of the finest watch, jewellery and department stores worldwide.

KitchenAid has been creating innovative products for the well-equipped kitchen for almost a century. A cult brand in the United States, KitchenAid arrives in Europe to enjoy similar demand. KitchenAid offers a complete range of appliances and culinary utensils that supports every step of the cooking process. Each product is crafted with singular design, great versatility, extremely high-quality materials and professional-like performance. Passion, quality and technology: the mix of ingredients that creates the history of a truly unique brand. KitchenAid supports the Ferrari Challenge Dealer Team GB’s activities while at race locations by providing exclusive culinary experiences to the team’s VIP guests by managing and running custom-made KitchenAid-equipped interactive kitchen services at every race.

Meridian Audio have been designing and manufacturing the world’s most desirable home entertainment systems for 30 years. Founded in 1977 by Bob Stuart and Allen Boothroyd, the Cambridgeshire company has won numerous accolades for product performance and design, including an unprecedented 3 British Design awards. Today, Meridian’s range of products includes CD and DVD players, amplifiers, surround-sound decoders and loudspeakers, and Meridian products are sold in over 50 countries world-wide. In February 2007, Meridian and Ferrari launched the F80 – a complete transportable home entertainment system that combines superb performance with stylish design.

Iveco is an international firm, part of the FIAT Group, offering a complete range of transport vehicles and engines. It manufactures and sells over 160,000 commercial vehicles and 430,000 engines worldwide each year. In income terms this translates into around €9 billion. Iveco has 49 factories in 19 countries as well as 15 R&D centres, 31,000 employees and 844 dealerships.

Sabelt was founded in 1972 and developed the first 6-point harnesses with quick-release buckles specifically for motor racing. The first cars to use these Sabelt belts were Munari''s glorious Lancia Stratos, in rallying, and Giacomelli''s Alfa Romeo, in F1. Today Sabelt researches, develops and manufactures racing car seat belts at the forefront of technology, supplying the main racing car teams worldwide. In 1998, Sabelt began distributing a whole range of accessories, all approved according to FIA standards: seats, suits, gloves, special technical clothing for drivers and mechanics, shoes, steering wheels, helmets, pedals, strut bars and springs.

Autosport is the UK''s best-selling weekly motorsport magazine. Seen by fans and industry alike as the bible for motorsport news analysis, Autosport''s editorial remit covers all aspects of the sport, from the major international series such as Formula 1, IndyCar and World Rally to grass roots UK club motorsport.

www.ferrari.co.uk


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