19.1.2006

The new Pirelli Ferrari Open race series is eagerly awaited by many; for good reason too. The old PMFC series had become a two model series (355 & 360 Challenge) and if you were a fan of modified older models there was nothing for you. We will have to wait for the summer to see some action, June 4th to be exact. So maybe now, sitting by an open fire in mid January, is a good time to look ahead a little.

So what is the new series all about? Well, the 360 is out for a start. It was a great race car and still shows well in Britcar as well as British GT. However its suitability for a club racing series intended for the enjoyment of ordinary club members has always been in doubt. The cars can be expensive and difficult to run, requiring considerable technical back-up. Until the aero pack was introduced in 2005, they were also difficult to drive hard without the occasional off road excursion.

So in terms of age the 355 Challenge has become the top dog. They will race in Class 'C' and run to European 355 Challenge regulations. All other cars will run in Class 'S'. So going backwards, that is 355 (see later) 348, 328, Mondial, 308, 246 etc. Plus 550 Maranello, 456 GT, 512 M, 512 TR, Testarossa, 512 & 365 Boxer, and of course F40 & 288 GTO. Quite a list!

Where this becomes interesting, and the reason for all the excitement, is that the regulations for this class are very open. All major components must be genuine Ferrari items, namely chassis, engine and gearbox. The body must bear close resemblance to a recognised Ferrari tipo. It will not be possible to turbocharge any model that was not so equipped originally. No wings will be allowed unless the tipo was originally so equipped. With the exception of F40 & F50 I reckon that means none. The tyres (slicks & wets) must be from Pirelli. But apart from that this is pretty much open house. Think about that for a second - no weight limits or restrictions on engine swaps or changes to induction.

So in theory we could have a kevlar bodied 246 GT with a full race 355 engine & gearbox running at around 900 kgs and 500 bhp. Sounds fun to me! However, although a 355 engine in a 308 GTB or GT4 is more likely, even that project is a major technical and financial undertaking. Until the future of the series is secure I would be surprised to see anyone making that sort of commitment but there are always strange people out there....

Let's look at what is more likely in year one. There is no doubt in my mind that a 355 Challenge car in Class 'C' is an excellent proposition for good fun and overall race results. There are no developments allowed to these cars, which will restrict costs, and we know they can be very reliable. It was after all a great car loved by all – until the 360 came along. In experienced hands it will still be a hard car to beat for overall honours.

In year one Class 'S' will all be about getting old modified PMFC race cars out of the attic and onto the race track. Most will, I suspect, come out in the old PMFC specification but without the ballast that they used to carry. The new relaxed regulations will however in time make a big difference. The old restrictions on original induction systems is gone as well as the weight limits. In will come throttle bodies and engine mapping, releasing much more power. Some cars are already in this spec as they had been developed for other race series prior to retirement. This will give them a considerable initial advantage.

Top dog of these cars in my mind is the Alan Cosby 512M. Alan had rotten luck with this car a few years ago and it has not raced since. The intention is to get it ready in time – a certain race winner. Also sitting under a dust sheet is the old Mike Millard Boxer – another quick car that is I am told virtually ready to go – but will it appear? The old David Barker 328 (now with classic racer Tris Simpson) is already in this spec producing 380 bhp, a great car that can certainly at least hold a 355 Challenge. Rory Fordyce has bought back his full house 328 and the old Paul Ciardiello race 328 now belongs to another Ferrari classic racer Marco Pullen. Last I heard this car was in bits – but the potential is there. I could go on – there are lots of possible entries.

With a clean sheet of paper, and with some sort of limit on cost (ie not F40) then any lightweight (1000 kgs and under) 308 / 328 with a 328 engine on throttle bodies and engine management must be a good proposition. This combination, producing 380 / 400 bhp, should beat a 355 Challenge car. If you fancy something different then a road 355 or even 348 in Class 'S' could be modified well beyond Challenge specification and be a real weapon, even with no rear wing. This more exotic kit will cost though. With more imagination how about a 206 SP replica body (one of the prettiest sports racers from the 1960s) on a 246 chassis with a 348 engine & gearbox. No, I am not crazy, this car is almost ready to go and belongs to yet another Ferrari classic racer Richard Atkinson-Willes.

Therein lies the excitement of this new series. The possibilities are only limited by your imagination – and of course the depth of your pocket – get dreaming!

Regulations are available now, the calendar's been published - see you there!

 

F40 LM would be OK...	...and F50	...and modifications to a 355 road car - but no wings or turbos	It would appear that even this is eligible