(Hershey, PA, March 8, 2010) Italian CARS together with Brickhouse Communications are pleased to announce a new historic racing series to be called the “Gentlemen’s Historic Challenge.” The first races will be held as part of the 24th Annual Le Belle Macchine d’Italia at Pocono International Raceway, June 25th to the 28th of 2010. The races will be managed by David Seibert, the Project Manager for the Ferrari North America Shell Historic Challenge Series from its inception.
From the organizers:
“With the suspension of the Ferrari Historic races for 2010, I’m pleased that Italian CARS and Le Belle Macchine d’Italia has offered the ladies and gentlemen who’ve raced in the Shell Historics over the years the opportunity to continue in the spirit of that series.
The expansion to include additional marques will be a complement to this exciting group, but the intent will remain the same: competition, but with the utmost respect for the other drivers and their historic automobiles.”
David Seibert – Brickhouse Communications.
“We have always been great admirers of the Ferrari/Maserati Historic Challenge Series and are proud to be able to help keep the spirit of that series alive and its community together.
A Historic Challenge style race is a natural for Le Belle Macchine d’Italia. It fits perfectly with the Retired Ferrari Challenge Car Races that we have pioneered at our Pocono and Daytona events.”
Joe Corbacio – Italian CARS
The Gentlemen’s Historic Challenge at Le Belle Macchine d’Italia will follow a similar format as the Ferrari/Maserati Historic Challenge Series races, but with expanded eligibility including selected European high performance racing cars such: as post war Alfa Romeos, such as the TZ1, TZ2, and Tipo 33’s, Bugattis, racing Aston Martins, Bizzarrinis, ATS’s, OSCA’s, and other significant period race cars. Additional races are tentatively scheduled for Daytona International Speedway Nov. 4 – 7, 2010, with other venues to be announced.
The Le Belle Macchine d’Italia Concorso d’Eleganza is held at the Historic Skytop Lodge in the beautiful Pocono Mountains, just 95 miles West of Manhattan. It is the largest 3 day Italian motoring event in North America. Now in its 24th year, it features some of the rarest, and most treasured vintage Italian automobiles in the world. The Concorso d’Eleganza also plays host to the Sports Car Market Maserati Owners National Meet and Historic Reunion, Lamborghini Owners National Meet, East Coast Annual Ferrari Meet, Iso Bizzarrini Owners Club East Coast Annual Meet, plus Manufacturer Ride and Drives with automotive celebrities.
The driving portion of the event takes place at the world famous Pocono International Raceway in Long Pond, PA featuring one of the longest straights of any track in North America, and absolutely guarantees driving excitement.
Also featured at Pocono and Daytona will be the Retired Ferrari Challenge Car Race. This race was introduced to offer drivers of Ferrari Challenge cars, which are no longer eligible for the Ferrari Challenge series, the opportunity to again compete in these exciting cars.
Le Belle Macchine d’Italia: Sud at Daytona International Speedway
The third annual Le Belle Macchine d’Italia: Sud, will be held November 4th to the 7th, 2010 at one of the most important sites in American racing, the Daytona International Speedway, using the legendary Rolex 24 Hour road course. With 30 degree banking, long straights, and a technically demanding infield road course, the event features some of the most exciting driving any driver could experience.
For complete details and registration for Le Belle Macchine d’Italia, and the Gentlemen’s Historic Challenge please visit the event website at, www.italiancarevents.com.
The Gentlemen’s Historic Challenge and Retired Ferrari Challenge Car Races at Le Belle Macchine d’Italia are not affiliated with Ferrari S.p.A. or Ferrari North America.