Ferrari Challenge Infineon Raceway 2012

Ferrari Challenge Infineon Raceway 2012 • • • GALLERY 1 • • • GALLERY 2 • • •

Northern California skies with spirited competition from the Challenge 458 pilots giving there best on the famed race track at Sears Point just north of San Francisco. Racing the in the Ferrari Challenge is taken on by dedicated drivers who are not racecar drivers by trade or profession but by men and women who have earned their place on the track through their desire to live life on the edge, on certain weekends, just like racecar drivers did before the position behind the wheel of high performance cars was taken over by highly specialized hired athletes.

Ferrari turns over the track to other Ferrari car owners and drivers between the testing and practice secessions of the Challenge cars. This gives the spectators a fantastic parade of Ferraris running at full song around the raising and falling track. The Ferrari Club provided a large parking lot of newer models which moved out onto the track several times to do fast laps.

This years show was a bit thin compared with previous years, given, I assume, due to the overall economy in the US. Ferrari, at least to my eyes, did not hold back and had what looked like a full crew of specialized mechanics and technicians working on the cars setting them up to give their best on the track.

Winners of the 458 Challenge Saterday Race 4-28-12.
Ferrari Challenge 2012
Sonoma, California

Ferrari F1 sn-228, 2003
Ferrari Challenge 2012
Sonoma, California

Ferrari 458 Spider, 2012
Ferrari Challenge 2012
Sonoma, California

Ferrari FF 2012 and Ferrari Ambassador, Aziza
Ferrari Challenge 2012
Sonoma, California

Ferrari Challenge, Infineon 2012

The Ferrari Challenge scheduled at the Infineon Raceway April 27-29, 2012. This event presents the opportunity to watch the Ferrari 458 Italia, one of the world's top sports cars, in racing competition. The event also permits Ferrari owners to participate in the racing.

Ferrari founder Enzo Ferrari' believed Ferraris were made to be raced. He did not want his thoroughbred sports cars to gather dust in a garage. Privateers have usually played a strong role in Ferrari racing.

The Ferrari Challenge began in North America in 1994. The Challenge provides US Ferrari owners the opportunity to compete on the best racetracks in the USA with fellow Ferrari owners. The Ferrari Challenge is organized by Ferrari North America and its authorized dealers. It is sanctioned by the Grand American Road Racing Association (GrandAm). This series has appeared on television too.

The Ferrari Challenge is open to owners of Ferrari 458 Challenge racecars. Since 2006 the F430 Challenge has been the car raced. The Challenge began with the Ferrari 348. As new models were introduced, the 355, 360 and F430, special Challenge versions of these cars were implemented in the series. In 2011 both the 430 and 458 ran in the Challenge. This 2012 season will only include the 458 Challenge.

The Ferrari cars competing in the Challenge are prepared and maintained for competition by authorized Ferrari dealers. Many of these dealers have formed racing teams to compete in the series. However in fairness, the series is not open to professional race drivers, and certain others.

Infineon Raceway at Sears Point in Sonoma County is a major race track featuring more than 160 feet of elevation change from high to low points. There are a great variety of points around track from which to view the races. Each has a different perspective with certain advantages. Two points with the most sweeping views are the main grandstand, and the well elevated area high above Turn 7.

The 458 Challenge is not the only race that will take place. The 599XX will race, as well as other Ferraris. Past vintages of the Ferrari Formula One, some with ultra high revving engines (17,000 RPM), will blur down the track too. The paddock and garage area will be open to spectators allowing a close look at Ferrari racecars.

During the course of the event Ferrari representatives often conducts demonstrations of Ferrari automobile technology. Ferrari merchandise is available for purchase, while food and beverage may be purchased at concession stands.
By Michael Rockich, Contributing Editor

Ferrari 599XX
Ferrari Challenge 2012
Sonoma, California

Ferrari Challenge 2012
Sonoma, California

Ferrari 458 Challenge Car
Ferrari Challenge 2012
Sonoma, California

Ferrari 458 Challenge Car
Ferrari Challenge 2012
Sonoma, California

This years early-in-the-year or April's date places the event into Northern California's possible rain season. Rain has happened in years past and could again be a run-in-the-rain-race weekend. Why is this worth noting? These cars and drivers do not park their cars and sit-out the rain, They Just Go For IT. Rain or Shine. This is one of the few places a fan can get right next to some of these cars and see them on the track racing at speed.

Some of the special features of this race weekend: Racing in any weather. Historical important F1 cars at track speed. Cutting edge Ferrari race cars like the 458 Ferrari Challenge, and the 458 GT3, and the broad range of Ferraris on display from the Ferrari Club.

My recommendation is, this is a must see event, no mater the weather. Bring a wide range of clothing options and see racing like it was back in the Good-Old-Days. And. Nothing but nothing looks and sounds like a Ferrari at speed.