2010 Ferrari Challenge at MMP: The sights and sounds of the Ferrari 599XX

Tue

13

Apr

2010 Ferrari Challenge at MMP: The sights and sounds of the Ferrari 599XX

Filed under: Motorsports, Videos, Ferrari, Racing

Ferrari 599XX at Miller Motorsports Park – Click above for high-res image gallery

Without a doubt, the highlight of our trip to Miller Motorsports Park for the Ferrari Challenge this past weekend was seeing the brand new 599XX on track. This is only the second and last time the cars will be in North America for 2010, so it was a special treat to see the cars driven in anger. We gushed earlier about how beautiful the cars look in person, but there’s nothing like seeing a 599XX fly down the front straight then hearing the transaxle pull off successive downshifts before the car dove into turn one.

Audio and visuals aside, part of the intrigue of dd4452b7dbatwork 2010 Ferrari Challenge at MMP: The sights and sounds of the Ferrari 599XX watching the 599XX is knowing how much incredible technology is in the car. For example, there are fans in the back of the car that pull air from the underside and out of ducts near the taillights to increase downforce. How much? The 599XX produces 1,389 pounds of downforce at 186 mph, and after looking through our photos we could actually see the rear spoiler at work, turbulent air swirling up behind the car. There are nine different traction control settings, the 6.0-liter V12 can rev to 9,000 rpm and the new sequential gearbox can bang off shits in a mere 60 milliseconds.

Of course, we knew we could never get away with just showing you photos (which we have plenty of in the gallery below). So we brought out a video camera to capture some footage of the 599XX on track. Turn up the volume and follow the jump to enjoy the wail of a Ferrari V12.

Gallery: Ferrari 599XX at Miller Motorsports Park

Continue reading 2010 Ferrari Challenge at MMP: The sights and sounds of the Ferrari 599XX

2010 Ferrari Challenge at MMP: The sights and sounds of the Ferrari 599XX originally appeared on Ferrari News on Tue, 13 Apr 2010 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Posted in 2010 ferrari 599xx, 2010 ferrari challenge, 2010Ferrari599xx, 2010FerrariChallenge, 599XX, corse clienti, CorseClienti, Ferrari, Ferrari 599XX, ferrari challenge, Ferrari Corse Clienti, Ferrari599xx, FerrariChallenge, FerrariCorseClienti, miller motorsports park, MillerMotorsportsPark | No Comments »

Tue

13

Apr

2010 Ferrari Challenge at MMP: Ferrari FXX is king of the track

Filed under: Motorsports, Ferrari, Racing

Ferrari FXX at Miller Motorsports Park – Click above for high-res image gallery

We were pretty impressed after initially watching the Ferrari F430 Challenge cars turn laps at Miller Motorsports Park this past weekend. After all, each of the cars boasts a 490 horsepower V8 and is set up specifically for racing. You can imagine that they’re quite capable of turning insanely quick laps. Then a trio of FXXs took to the track and our definition of “fast” was altered forever.

Despite the fact that it will never turn a competitive lap, the Ferrari FXX is a brutally impressive racecar. The second generation Evoluzione version (pictured above), is Ferrari’s most advanced GT car ever built with an 860 horsepower V12, a sequential gearbox that can perform shifts in just 60 milliseconds and a curb weight of just over 2,500 pounds. We might have preferred the beauty of the 599XX, but there was no doubt which car was the most capable of the lowest lap times.

In addition to our photos of the FXXs in the pit lane garages, we also came away from the weekend with plenty of shots of the cars on track. Have a look for yourself in the high-res gallery below.

Gallery: Ferrari FXX at Miller Motorsports Park

2010 Ferrari Challenge at MMP: Ferrari FXX is king of the track originally appeared on Ferrari News on Tue, 13 Apr 2010 15:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Posted in 2010 ferrari challenge, 2010FerrariChallenge, corse clienti, CorseClienti, Ferrari, ferrari challenge, Ferrari Corse Clienti, ferrari fxx, ferrari fxx evoluzione, FerrariChallenge, FerrariCorseClienti, FerrariFxx, FerrariFxxEvoluzione, fxx, miller motorsports park, MillerMotorsportsPark | No Comments »

Tue

13

Apr

Ferrari 599XX at Miller Motorsports Park

The Ferrari 599XX at Miller Motorsports Park from April 9-11, 2010

Posted in 599, 599XX, ferrar, Ferrari, ferrari 599, Ferrari 599XX, Ferrari Videos, miller motorsports park, motorsports | No Comments »

Mon

12

Apr

2010 Ferrari Challenge at MMP: A look inside the Corse Clienti garages

Filed under: Motorsports, Ferrari, Racing

Ferrari 599XXs in the garages at Miller Motorsports Park – Click above for high-res image gallery

Oh, to be wealthy. We’re not talking about slightly rich, either. We’re talking about having your own Ferrari racecar with factory support wealthy. Such a program actually exists, known as Corse Clienti (translated from Italian as “Racing Clients”). Imagine showing up to the racetrack with your car already there, which was flown in from the Ferrari factory earlier that week. There’s no need to to get the car prepared, as Ferrari’s very own mechanics are already on the job. Just sit back and relax until it’s your time to get on the track, then hop in and take off.

The Ferrari 599XX, the latest member of the Corse Clienti stable, is brand new for this year and only made its debut at Homestead-Miami Speedway last month. We were eager to see them up close, and the first thing we did upon arriving at Miller Motorsports Park on Saturday morning was to go looking for the Corse Clienti cars. It didn’t take long to find them, as they were all safely stored in the garages along pit row. There were no less than seven 599XXs, plus an additional three FXXs as a bonus.

In person, the 599XX is a sight to behold. It’s not nearly as dramatic looking as the FXX, but that’s a good thing in our opinion. In fact, it’s one of the most beautiful modern racecars we’ve ever seen. Unlike the FXX, which seems to be a little rough around the edges, the 599XX has beautifully crafted details both inside and out. For instance, the inside of the door has “599XX” worked into the design of the carbon fiber, and the interior actually seems like a fairly hospitable place to be. The engine bay, like all other Ferraris, is a work of art, and even the functional aspects of the car like the splitters, winglets and diffuser all have an aesthetic appeal.

You can see all of the details of the 599XX, like the largest paddle shifters we’ve ever seen, the F1-like wheel donuts and more in the gallery below along with an additional gallery of the FXX.

Gallery: Ferrari 599XXs in the Miller Motorsports Park Garages

Gallery: Ferrari FXXs in the Miller Motorsports Park Garages

2010 Ferrari Challenge at MMP: A look inside the Corse Clienti garages originally appeared on Ferrari News on Mon, 12 Apr 2010 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Posted in 2010 ferrari 599xx, 2010Ferrari599xx, 599XX, corse clienti, CorseClienti, Ferrari, Ferrari 599XX, Ferrari Corse Clienti, ferrari fxx, Ferrari599xx, FerrariCorseClienti, FerrariFxx, fxx, miller motorsports park, MillerMotorsportsPark | No Comments »

Mon

12

Apr

Ferrari F430 Challenge makes first appearance at Miller Motorsports Park

Filed under: Motorsports, Ferrari, Racing

2010 Ferrari F430 Challenge at Miller Motorsports Park – Click above for high-res image gallery

The Ferrari F430 Challenge isn’t on our normal scope of motorsports coverage, but when we heard that the series, along with the Corse Clienti cars, were going to be at Miller Motorsports Park we immediately started checking on flights. This year is the first time the series has come to the state-of-the-art track outside Salt Lake City, and hopefully it won’t be the last.

If you aren’t familiar with the F430 Challenge, it’s a spec racing series put on by Ferrari specifically for owners. Professional drivers, instructors or anyone involved in the sale of Ferraris or parts can’t drive in the series. Since each of the cars is exactly the same – a race-prepped Ferrari F430 coupe with 490 horsepower – the playing field is level. Think the races are a bunch of rich guys doing parade laps around the track? Think again. The drivers are extremely competitive and it’s not uncommon to see the cars bumping fenders and jostling for position. That was the case at Miller Motorsports Park, where there were several off-track excursions into the Tooele sand and various bits of body panels, splitters and diffusers left on the tarmac.

It makes for good entertainment, and we highly recommend attending any of the four remaining F430 Challenge races in North America this year – Infineon Raceway, Montreal, New Jersey Motorsports Park and Watkins Glen. If you can’t make it, then you’ll just have to settle for our high-res gallery below.

Gallery: 2010 Ferrari F430 Challenge at Miller Motorsports Park

Ferrari F430 Challenge makes first appearance at Miller Motorsports Park originally appeared on Ferrari News on Mon, 12 Apr 2010 19:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Posted in 2010FerrariF430Challenge, ferrar, ferrari challenge, Ferrari F430, ferrari f430 challenge, FerrariChallenge, FerrariF430, FerrariF430Challenge, miller motorsports park, MillerMotorsportsPark | No Comments »

Mon

12

Apr

Ferrari 458 Italia makes North American public debut in…Tooele, UT

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Ferrari

2011 Ferrari 458 Italia – Click above for high-res image gallery

Chances are you probably haven’t seen the 458 Italia in person in the United States. The company’s newest mid-engined V8 coupe missed out on expected appearances due to Ferrari’s absence at the major auto shows this year, and only top clients and celebrities were invited to the private party and auction held for the 458 Italia in Southern California last month.

Ferrari did finally show off the 458 Italia to the public this past weekend – not at a major auto show or concours event but rather near the small town of Tooele, Utah. The decision wasn’t completely random, however, as Miller Motorsports Park was hosting the second Ferrari Challenge event of the year.

The 458 Italia was prominently on display next to the garage filled with Corse Clienti and F430 Challenge cars, and it definitely attracted its fare share of attention. Check out the gallery of live photos below, and check back soon for more coverage from the Ferrari Challenge.

Gallery: Ferrari 458 Italia at Miller Motorsports Park