Ferrari vs Maserati at Infineon

O’Neill’s Maserati is one of the lightweight models built in 1957, and raced by both Juan Fangio and Harry Schell. Fangio won the GP de la Republica Argentina/ Buenos Aires in January of 1957 with the car. In the Disc Brake set, Bob Benedict with his 308 GT/M and Steven Read with a Ferrari 250LM were welcome additons to this year’s grid.

The Schwartz 200SI was the Maserati test car for the 200 S series in 1956, but was entered in the Targa Florio, the Mille Miglia, and probably driven by Jean Behra at Caracas at the end of 1956. Noon’s car was one of the first production Maseratis built, and is resplendent in the Pininfarina coachwork. The chassis number is 086. The first owner was Isabella Quarantotti Ippolitio who took delivery of the originally-grey coupe in late 1949. Never intended for racing, it is nevertheless great to see Bill Noon bring the car out and allow people to see and hear it–the car looks far better in real life than in the dark, black and white photos from the late 1940s. A possible close competitor for the Noon car would be a Farina bodied 166 Inter. They might be on the slow end of the scale, but two such cars would bring up the back of the pack in great style.

Enzo Ferrari was always looking forward, thinking of the past only in terms of lessons learned. Unfortunately that meant he rarely kept any of the great Grand Prix cars from the fifties and sixties. But there are good examples of the Ferrari 500s, a few 625s, and even a Dino or two in collections.

While Jeff O’Neill sorts out his 250F, Peter Giddings gains all the more experience with his and becomes even tougher to beat. A good Lancia Ferrari D50 might give them both a good run. Any takers?

The Maserati 200 SI, often overlooked, is much more important than it’s numbers indicate. From the 200 SI came the 300S, and from that the massive, almost overbearing 450S. Nick Soprano had his 450S going for the Cavallino Shell Historics, and here’s hoping he and 4508 will be seen at Monterey. In the meantime, Schwartz is learning the ropes with his, running just behind Peter LeSaffre in both heats.

LeSaffre has owned an A6GCS, a 200SI, and currently a 300S as well as a number of Ferraris, including the 275GTB Comp he also runs in the Shell Historics. In an interview for “Viale Ciro Menotti“, we asked him to compare historic Ferrari sports racers with their Maserati counterparts.
“Depends really on the track. Maseratis handle better, by far! They are lighter, better balanced handle well. They also stop better, again lighter weight, better cooling. Given a short track and short race, it’ll be a Maserati every time, all else being equal. Ferrari had the advantage in period, but with today short sprint races, reliability over several hours is no longer a factor, I would go with Maserati.”

At Infineon Raceway, Peter Giddings in his Maserati 250F took both heats in the drum brake class, while Todd Morici did the same in the disc brake class with his 512 BB/LM.

The Shell Ferrari Historic field, though on the light side, is still growing and makes up in quality and essence whatever it may lack in numbers. LeSaffre remarked that “All the drivers in the series are pretty good and we all have a great appreciation for the cars we race. The Ferrari Shell Historic Challenge is a fully competitive event and not a parade.” And it’s the only venue on this side of the Atlantic where the Ferrari vs. Maserati rivalry can be seen in action.

Next race is at Mont-Tremblant on July 18-20, with F430 Challenge, FXXs, and Corse Clienti F1.

To obtain copies of Viale Ciro Menotti, with the article “Maserati vs. Ferrari Sports, 1947-1957” contact Jodi Ellis at jodi@maseratinet.com.

To obtain a copy of Karl Ludvigsen’s new book “Red Hot Rivals: Ferrari vs. Maserati, click here.

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