New Ferrari 458 Challenge Ready for Debut at Infineon Raceway

As the 2011 North American Ferrari Challenge Series begins its 2011 season on April 29-May 1, at Infineon Raceway, it will also mark the North American debut of the new Ferrari 458 Challenge, the fifth and latest generation of Challenge cars.

The Corse Clienti Department's 599XX, FXX and F1 Clienti programs will also participate on the track.  Further, the Ferrari F430 Challenge will compete alongside its successor, the new Ferrari 458 Challenge. Based on the Ferrari 458 Italia, the 458 Challenge introduces a number of important modifications to adapt it for competition use.

“While the direct injection 4497 cc V8 remains strictly in production tune, modifications have been made to the gear ratios and calibration of its dual-clutch F1 gearbox to guarantee higher torque at lower revs.  Significant work has also gone into cutting the car's weight, focusing on both the interior and exterior with Ferrari's engineers concentrating in particular on reducing the thickness of bodyshell panels and on using lightweight materials such as carbon-fiber and Lexan,” Ferrari explains.

The 458 Challenge also has a specific suspension set-up, and rides on 19-inch racing rims on Pirelli racing slicks and a ride height lowered by 30mm all around.

Together with the new generation Brembo CCM2 brakes which debuted on the 599XX, a new ABS system, and the adoption of the F1-Trac traction control system (the first in a Ferrari Challenge model), are also on the mods list.

Following this first race at Infineon Raceway, the 2011 Ferrari Challenge will continue to Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, CA, May 20-22; Montreal, Canada, (during the Canadian F1 Gran Prix), June 10-12; Toronto, Canada, July 8-10; Lime Rock Park, CT, July 29-30; concluding at Homestead Miami Speedway, FL, September 23-25.