As part of its contribution to the development of British motorsport at the grassroots level, the Ricardo engineering consultancy has been
supporting the 2003 Pirelli Maranello Ferrari Challenge - one of the longest lived and most successful club-racing series in the UK.

Commenting on its support of the championship, competition director John Swift said: "Ricardo's contribution this year has been very welcome especially in view of its technical relationship with Ferrari. Its
involvement has helped the smooth running of a race series that has proved immensely popular over the years with our Club members, which is open to those who either own or have owned a Ferrari."

Paul Markwick, business development director, Ricardo Vehicle
Engineering - who represented Ricardo on the government's Motorsport Strategy Development Group - said: "We're delighted to be supporting this exciting close racing series, which is as popular with spectators as it is with race drivers. By doing so not only are we are sharing Ferrari's passion for motorsport, but also helping to nurture the sport at the grass roots level which in the long run is good for our business as well as the wider motorsport industry."

The Pirelli Maranello Ferrari Challenge is the official race series
organised by the Ferrari Owners' Club and offers members the opportunity to compete in either their standard or modified cars in a 14-round championship series. The 2003 series has visited major UK circuits as well as Spa-Francorchamps and Zandvoort. The final round this year will be raced at Thruxton on 27 September.

Experienced race drivers belonging to the Club and participating in the race series are also often observed as instructors at industry-wide
corporate hospitality events and track days using their own cars to help, guide and advise members of the general public on being better and safer drivers in normal everyday motoring - driving experiences which have proved immensely popular with the general public.

Race drivers who are past champions in the series include Marco Attard, who competes at British GT championship level; Robbie Stirling, who races at Le Mans; Tony Worswick, who races in the single-seat Boss series; and John Wilson who races historic F1 events.