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2011 Ferrari Challenge
The Ferrari Challenge offers around 150 Ferrari owners each year a chance to use their cars in the way the designer intended - on the track. Find out how they are doing in 2011.
Introduction
The Ferrari Challenge in 2010
Ferrari is famous throughout the world for the production of exclusive, high end luxury cars that typify the glamour of Italy’s most famous family. Under the bonnet of each and every Ferrari, the Shell-powered engines produce a thrilling ride and give the driver the most exhilarating experience. The two brands are inextricably linked and, through the Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli, Ferrari 458 Challenge owners are given the opportunity to experience the thrill of Shell’s technical partnership with Ferrari where the prancing horses feel most comfortable – on the race track.
At circuits across Italy, Europe, North America and Asia Pacific the Ferrari 458 Challenge cars compete in this high performance racing series under the same principles that were proposed at its inception in 1993; to give Ferrari owners and enthusiasts a competition in which to enjoy their cars and challenge one another in friendly and respectful racing.
With fair, exciting competition at its core, all the cars house the same 570-hp V8 engine found in the road-going Ferrari. As a development of the F430 Challenge, the 458 Challenge cars feature more Formula One-inspired technology than ever before, for instance the F1-Trac traction control system is the most sophisticated of its kind and is another first for a Ferrari Challenge model.
Mike Evans, Fuel Development Project Leader for Ferrari, comments: “The Shell V-Power fuel used in the Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli is developed by the same scientists who work with both the Formula One programme and the road car division. It is through our continual work both in Maranello and at facilities across Europe, that we are committed to transferring the knowledge learned on the race track to the road.”
“There is even a team of Shell technicians who travel to the Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli races around Europe to ensure that each and every car is fuelled with Shell V-Power and protected by Shell Helix Ultra motor oil and therefore performing to its optimum.”
Mark Wakem, Lubricant Development Project Leader for Ferrari, continues: “With such high performance engines, Shell Helix Ultra motor oil is developed to maximise the power and fuel efficiency by minimising friction inside the engine. Using friction-reducing components in the oil allows us to test the products in an extreme environment, taking learnings for the continuous development of our products for the road.”
The Shell technical partnership with Ferrari is one of the most prestigious relationships in motorsport. Shell supplied fuel to Enzo Ferrari when he began racing Alfa Romeos in the 1930s and powered the very first Ferrari, the 125S, as it drove out of the factory gates at Maranello. Since then, the two companies have created a motorsport legacy that boasts 12 Drivers’ Titles and 10 Constructors’ Championships in Formula One.
At the French Grand Prix in 2008, the Shell technical partnership with Ferrari celebrated its 150th victory and the 2010 Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne marks the 450th Formula One race for the two iconic companies together.
The Ferrari 458 Challenge
The Ferrari 458 Challenge car
Ferrari is famous throughout the world for the production of exclusive, high-end luxury cars that typify the glamour of Italy’s most famous family. Under the bonnet of each and every Ferrari, the Shell-powered engines produce a thrilling ride and give the driver the most exhilarating experience. The two brands are inextricably linked and, through the Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli, Ferrari 458 Challenge owners are given the opportunity to experience the thrill of the Shell technical partnership with Ferrari where the prancing horses feel most comfortable – on the race track.
Derived from the 458 Italia, Ferrari’s newest track pedigree racer, the Ferrari 458 Challenge, is the fifth model used by Ferrari in its single-series racing programme. It is powered by the same engine as the road going version with some modifications to the gear ratios and calibration of its dual-clutch F1 gearbox.
The 458 Challenge is equipped with the Ediff electronic differential and the F1-Trac traction control system and has a specific suspension set-up. Significant work has also gone into cutting the car’s weight. These are just a few of many adjustments introduced to cope with the demanding environment of the 2011 Ferrari Challenge Series, which the car will take part in.
During the development of the 458 Italia’s 4.5 litre V8 engine, Shell worked alongside Ferrari to reduce internal friction in the engine and aided the development of the Direct Fuel Injection System. Shell V-Power fuel and Shell Helix lubricant was used during the whole development process to give optimum performance and to ensure the performance figures would remain consistent from leaving the production line to the track.
Shell’s technical partnership with Ferrari is one of the most prestigious relationships in motorsport and on the road. Shell supplied fuel to Enzo Ferrari when he began racing Scuderia Ferrari Alfa Romeos in the 1930s and powered the very first Ferrari, the 125S, as it drove out of the factory gates at Maranello. Since then, the two companies have created a motorsport legacy that boasts 12 Drivers’ Titles and 10 Constructors’ Championships in Formula One.
At the French Grand Prix in 2008, the Shell technical partnership with Ferrari celebrated its 150th victory and the 2010 Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne marked the 450th Formula One race for the two iconic companies together. 2010 also saw this special relationship extended until 2015, giving Shell further opportunity to continue aiding Ferrari to be competitive on the track and on the road; whilst transferring the valuable knowledge gained, to Shell products for the road.
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