Ferrari 360 Challenge 2001 - World Of Classic Cars -

Ferrari 360 Challenge 2001

The Ferrari Challenge series was created in 1993 to create a single-model racing series for Ferrari’s own customers to compete against each other using Ferrari’s current mid-engined V-8 road cars as a platform. Not only would this engage more of Ferrari’s dedicated road-car clients with the motorsport side of the company, but Ferrari hoped it would increase their devotion to the brand after seeing what their cars were capable of when fully unleashed on a closed circuit. After a few years, this proved to be a successful program for the Scuderia, and many customers were vying to compete in the series with the support of their local dealership.

Ferrari 360 Challenge 2001

By the year 2000, as road-car production had transitioned from the 355 to the 360 Modena the year before, Ferrari released a Challenge variant of the 360 to phase the 355 Challenge out of competition by 2001. Just like the Challenge models before it, the 360 Challenge retains the same horsepower rating as the standard 360, but it has been drastically modified, with increased track performance specifically in mind. The entire interior was stripped of all luxurious appointments and replaced with a full complement of weight-saving carbon fiber trim, a full roll cage, a fire suppression system, Lexan windows, and a Magneti Marelli LCD instrument display that was capable of recording onboard telemetry.

Ferrari 360 Challenge 2001

Mechanical updates include titanium rods, a dry sump, a higher compression ratio, a racing clutch, and a 100-liter fuel cell. All of these improvements helped contribute to an overall weight that was 250 pounds less than the standard 360.
This 2001 Ferrari 360 Challenge, currently with its second owner, was purchased by him in early 2002, after only being used once at Road America in the 2001 Challenge season. The car has been enjoyed enthusiastically at a number of Challenge series races and private track events at locations all over the east coast of the United States since then. The Ferrari specialists at Classic Coach in Elizabeth, New Jersey, always kept the car in race-ready mechanical condition through routine servicing, with the most recent timing-belt service being completed in December 2013. In 2006, Classic Coach installed a real spoiler, at the request of the current owner, in order to provide more downforce at high speeds; this is an improvement that is seen on many 360 Challenge cars. It should also be noted that this 360 Challenge had a minor track incident in September 2003, and as a result, the front and rear bumpers were replaced by Classic Coach.

Ferrari 360 Challenge 2001

Although formal Ferrari Challenge competition has progressed through the F430 and into the 458 Challenge, the 360 Challenge still remains a potent automobile in its own right. In addition to being eligible for continued racing in the Ferrari Challenge club racing series, many former Challenge racers are still campaigned today at private and Ferrari Club of America track days, and this example is certainly ready to jump back into the fray.