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2009 Shell Ferrari Historic Challenge
Find out all the information you need to know for the 2009 Shell Ferrari Historic Challenge. The cars, the drivers and the circuits - this is more than just historic racing.
Introduction
Ferrari 512M leading the pack
The Shell Ferrari Historic Challenge is far more than an historical racing series, it is a global racing festival that sees historic treasures competing on tracks around the world – and it offers Shell a unique and fascinating opportunity to display its fuel knowledge to the full.
Held at race tracks in Europe and North America since 1996, the Challenge sees cars such as the 250 GTO, 250 Testa Rossa, Competition Daytona and 250 LM in action together in a controlled environment where spectators can marvel at the grace and speed of some of the most beautiful, rare and valuable cars of the past century.
Shell, which first partnered with Enzo Ferrari in the 1930s, was the logical choice as a fuel and lubricants partner for the series. As an integral technical partner of Ferrari, Shell was tasked with providing special-grade fuel that offers the protective properties of lead-based fuel required by these vehicles but is much cleaner burning.
Shell used its extensive database of knowledge and expertise to create a synthetic replacement to the lead component which actually performed better in the engines of these classic cars. The majority of the products used in the cars are designed by Shell, including oils and lubricants that protect the cars and enhance their performance.
The participating cars were all built before 1982 and consist of Ferraris, Maseratis and Scuderia Ferrari Alfa Romeos, all of which must be in possession of a "Technical Accreditation Document" from Ferrari, proving their original provenance. The cars are then divided into racing grids, dependant upon type and date of manufacture.
There are Challenges in Europe and North America, each consisting of five rounds, culminating in the World Finals in Italy during October, where up to 80,000 spectators are in attendance.
The Cars
Ferrari 412P "Prototype" racer.
The Shell Ferrari Historic Challenge provides an exciting and rare opportunity to see, hear and experience legendary historic cars as they take to the race track to compete in their natural environment. Authentic Ferraris, Maseratis and Scuderia Ferrari Alfa Romeos built by the Maranello factory up to 1982 are eligible to take part in this atmospheric historical event.
The cars are divided up into 11 classes and are allocated a grid dependent on type and date of manufacture:
GRID A
- Class 1: Scuderia Ferrari Alfa Romeo or similar. Auto Avio Costruzioni 815.
All Maserati model produced up until 1940 - 4CLT - A6GCM.
- Class 2: Ferrari single-seaters from the 159 C up to the 156 F2. Maserati 250 F.GRID B
- Class 3: (1947 - 1955): 12 cylinders front engine cars fitted with drum brakes. Maserati A6GCS
- Class 4: (1953 - 1957): 4 cylinders and 6 cylinders front engine cars fitted with rum brakes. Masrati 150 S - 200 S - 250 S.
- Class 5: (1956 - 1959): 12 cylinders front engine cars fitted with drum brakes. Maserati 300 S - 350 S - 450 S.GRID C
- Class 6: (1956 - 1966): GT front engine cars fitted with disc brakes.
- Class 7: Ferrari sport cars fitted with front engine and disc brakes. Maserati Tipo 60 (Birdcage) and tipo 61 (Birdcage).
- Class 8: Ferrari GT road cars.
- Class 9: Road cars converted to competition/race trim.
- Class 10: Sport cars and mid-engine prototypes. Maserati Tipo 63 (Birdcage), Tip 64 (Birdcage), Tipo 151, Tipo 65
- Class 11: Ferrari sport cars and mid-engine prototypes. Maserati Bora Gr.IVCalendar
Standings