Ferrari Challenge 2012 pics

[Izain]

Once again, Mrs Izain and myself find ourselves in Napa Valley the same weekend that the Ferrari Challenge is at Sears Point/Infineon Raceway. Between bottles of wine we thrashed our crappy rental Chevy Cruze to the track and parked it somewhere it wouldn't embarass anyone. Sat in the 458 Spyder and the California and couldn't decide which one to drive off with. The 458 wins hands down as a pure sports car, but tooling around Napa does speak to the virtues of a proper gran turismo indulgence.

Full set here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/izain/sets/72157629578980602/

I was disappointed that there were no FXXs running, but the 599XXs were impressive enough in their own right. It was the first time we had seen (and heard) an F1 car on track; just blown away. The lucky second owner of this one was driving Reubens Barichello's 2003 backup car.

FerrariChallenge2012-200 by ExarchIzain, on Flickr

Aside from the expected wealth of Ferraris (no pun intended), the other half of the fun are the other amazing cars one finds in the lot, which included a Rousch Mustang, McLaren MP412c, Nismo 350z, Lambo Diablo, and all flavors of Lotus, AMG, M series, 911 GT3, a tent with run by Ducati, etc. Prize catch of the day was an Aventador.

FerrariChallenge2012-265 by ExarchIzain, on Flickr

Please enjoy, post comments on Flickr (or here)

 

[exigeracer]

Thanks for the photos - I wasn't aware the XX program was still touring. Was Ferrari operating the F1 car on behalf of the owner? They used to run Corse Clienti wherein they would transport, organize and prep former Scuderia racers for private owners. That program has been halted, however.

 

[Izain]

They used to run Corse Clienti wherein they would transport, organize and prep former Scuderia racers for private owners. That program has been halted, however.

From what I saw the Corse Clienti seemed to still be running. Perhaps only certain programs or regions were halted? Or maybe it is limited to only these Ferrari Challenge events. No idea.


FerrariChallenge2012-125 by ExarchIzain, on Flickr

 

[cmbeal317]

Looks like you had a great time! I was at an exotic car show this weekend and they had the FF, which I was really surprised they let me sit in. The guy that brought it from the dealer was sitting in there as well and told me all about the different systems, including a screen for the passenger to look at various things about the car, like current rpm, speed, which aids are on(or off), and a whole bunch of other things. I previously did not know about that and found it really interesting. They also demonstrated the lift system to give you more ground clearance in the snow. I really didn't like the car, but now that I've seen one I really like it!

 

[Izain]

Looks like you had a great time! I was at an exotic car show this weekend and they had the FF, which I was really surprised they let me sit in.

Mrs Izain even sat in the back of the FF thanks to the nice Ferrari lady there. It is impressive, and while I'm sure it's great to drive I still don't like the looks. If I insist on 4wd and/or rear seating, there are far too many other cars I'd pick first.

 

[cmbeal317]

Mrs Izain even sat in the back of the FF thanks to the nice Ferrari lady there. It is impressive, and while I'm sure it's great to drive I still don't like the looks. If I insist on 4wd and/or rear seating, there are far too many other cars I'd pick first.

Didn't let us try out the back seat, they did have the engine running when I sat in it though as they were getting ready to leave. I did a little research and it appears that 4wd is only engaged in comfort and snow modes, otherwise it is RWD. Not sure if I'd take it out in the snow though, not because of it being a Ferrari, but just the fact a lot of people have little understanding of how to drive in the snow.

 

[Takumi Fujiwara]

Oh yeah, I forgot that that was this weekend, haha. I was gonna see if I could go out there and see if I could score a media pass and throw a story together for the blog I work with.

 

[hawkeye122]

I was tempted to go see that at Laguna Seca, sometime around now. Had no money.