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Ferrari North America Challenge
2001 Season
by Erik C. Nielsen
Start, 360 Challenge Race
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The finals for the North American Challenge Finals were held on October 20-21 in Monza as part of the "Tutte le Ferrari" event. Lucio Nicolodi (Ferrari of Beverley Hills) wrapped up a season that he pretty much dominated all along. The top drivers in the points are invited to the season finals at the famous Italian track along with all of the top drivers from the various other Challenge Series. Nicolodi finished ahead of the other two North American drivers in both 360 races and clinched his title attempt in only his second season in the series.
Steve Rebeil (Shelton Sports Cars), was able to place second in both races, behind Nicolodi, and could only manage second place in the final standings. Eddy Aslanian (Scottsdale Ferrari) and Steve Earle (Ferrari of Houston) each obtained the final podium spot in the two races respectively. Tony Gaples (Lake Forest Sports Cars) was consistently fourth in each race, but that was sufficient for him to secure 3rd place in the overall championship.
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Demonstration Runs: Schumacher, Barichello and Badoer
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The event was also special in that it was the celebration weekend for the F1 team in front of the home crowd. Michael Schumacher was there to celebrate his successful defense of his world title. Ferrari was also celebrating their three-in-a-row Constructor's Championship.
The Endurance Challenge had its season finale at Watkins Glenn, several weeks ago and saw Kevin Crowder (Ferrari of Houston) win that championship driving a 360 Challenge. Second overall in the series was Ken Rice (Ferrari of Dallas) who competed in his 355 Challenge. The endurance challenge races last one hour and contain a mandatory one-minute pit stop in which the crew cannot touch the car. This stop does allow for a driver change, but few in the series share seat time. Because of the relatively short race distances, these races have become more of an hour sprint, than a managed race. It's more of the strongest driver winning than anything.
The Dream Team (left to right): Luca di Montezemolo, Michael Schumacher,
Jean Todt, Luca Badoer, Rubens Barichello
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The Challenge series was designed to be a gentleman's racing season where the driver is competing more for honor and pride than for cash prizes. It is intended to be a reprisal of racing in the '50's and '60's in which the drivers would literally drive to the track, race, and drive home. Each Challenge car (be it a 360 or a 355) is built for racing purposes in Maranello and maintained and prepared by the driver's authorized dealer. The series is tightly regulated to eliminate development costs and can be thought of as "stock Ferrari racing". Two race events are scheduled to coincide with the two North American Formula One races, with the rest of the series spread out over such venues as Texas Motor Speedway, Virginia International Raceway, Road Atlanta, Lime Rock, and Road America. The series is open to anyone that is not a professional driver, doesn't work in the car business, has a competition license (i.e. has been to a respectable racing school) and, most importantly, can cough up the funds necessary to compete. The current field is filled with as diverse a crowd as ever with senior executives, professionals and doctors.
[ Article ]
[ 360 Challenge ]
[ 355 Challenge ]
[ Endurance Challenge ]
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