| Author | Message | ||
| Mark Robinson (Markr)
New member Username: Markr Post Number: 15 Registered: 9-2003 |
"The were built by privateers and used many stock components such as the stock gearbox and engine. " Although, the 550's were built by privateers they do have more in common with the 575GTC than previously led on. Perhaps not the same "blue-printed" engine or set-up but the 550 is running a 6L engine and a sequential gear box as opposed to the stock components. | ||
| Joe (Jts)
Junior Member Username: Jts Post Number: 155 Registered: 8-2003 |
Good point MFZ. I forgot about the David Richards/BAR/Prodrive connection. | ||
| MFZ (Kiyoharu)
Member Username: Kiyoharu Post Number: 358 Registered: 2-2003 |
Well, you have to remember that prodrive also runs the BAR Honda F1 team. So if Ferrari to acknowledge prodrive and cooperate with them, it'll be a massive conflict of interests and the risks of Ferrari's 'trade secrets' being smuggled from prodrive's camp into the BAR Honda camp is very high as well. That is the main factor why Ferrari will never fully acknowledge prodrive's outstanding job that they did with the 550 Maranello GTS racers. A bit disappointing, but I'd rather it be this way. | ||
| Joe (Jts)
Junior Member Username: Jts Post Number: 152 Registered: 8-2003 |
Thanks for the news Barton. You would think that Ferrari would be grateful to Prodrive! | ||
| Barton Workman (Bartonworkman)
Junior Member Username: Bartonworkman Post Number: 107 Registered: 3-2002 |
Team Rafanelli is looking to come back in 2004. They do not know what form this will take but they're working hard on it. Lots of bad blood between Prodrive and Ferrari currently despite the fact that Prodrive developed the 550 GT Maranellos into winners, including taking the GTS Class at LeMans, and are in contention to win the GTS manufacturere's championship in the ALMS at the Petite Le Mans event this weeekend. They've accomplished this without any support from Maranello. BHW | ||
| Joe (Jts)
Junior Member Username: Jts Post Number: 148 Registered: 8-2003 |
I had no idea about the Prodrive fiasco! Apparently I've been living under a rock. What about the team that campaigned the Olive Garden 550? I heard they lost Olive Garden's sponsorship and will probably need a new car in addition to a new sponsor. Any details there? | ||
| Barton Workman (Bartonworkman)
Junior Member Username: Bartonworkman Post Number: 106 Registered: 3-2002 |
"Weird" and Ferrari sports car racing programs seem to go hand in hand. Prodrive, which has been left dangling in the wind by Maranello (which even took upon itself to have one of the Scuderia Ferraris FIA GT wins overturned by their own protest), will be entering Aston Martins next year and there dosent seem to be any confusion in Gaydon. BHW | ||
| PSk (Psk)
Intermediate Member Username: Psk Post Number: 1052 Registered: 11-2002 |
Jon, Well that is cool and shows that Ferrari still now how to build their cars better than anybody else ... I guess? I still (if I was Ferrari) would have had a look at the 550's to gain knowledge and I bet they did ... it would be stupid to ignore all the information they would have learnt from racing the other beasts  Pete | ||
| Joe (Jts)
Junior Member Username: Jts Post Number: 144 Registered: 8-2003 |
You're right Andrew - it will be confusing. Especially since the Maserati GT looks like a small Enzo with a wing. According to the Ferrari UK website, the 550/575 will be used for 2004, but then Ferrari's GT plans will switch over to Maserati. Of course, I'm sure there is a lot more going on behind the scenes that we don't yet know. The 575 is way too competitive to be mothballed.    | ||
| Joe (Jts)
Junior Member Username: Jts Post Number: 143 Registered: 8-2003 |
This is awesome news - I can't wait to see this Beast in action!  | ||
| Andrew Menasce (Amenasce)
Intermediate Member Username: Amenasce Post Number: 1668 Registered: 10-2001 |
Hmmm i was sure i had replied to this already ? Anyway , thats great and very exciting ! Cant wait to see the 575 vs 550 vs Murcie ! And what about the Maserati ? It will compete in the same category no ? Wont it be weird for Ferrari ? | ||
| Jon P. Kofod (95f355c)
Intermediate Member Username: 95f355c Post Number: 1124 Registered: 8-2001 |
Pete, It's my understanding that the cars are very different. Also remember that the 550's were not built at the factory and had no factory involvment. The were built by privateers and used many stock components such as the stock gearbox and engine. The 575GTC was designed and built by Ferrari from the ground up and uses little in the way of street car components. From what I have read the new car has totally revised and redesigned sequential gearbox that runs $60,000. The engine uses F1 technology derived from the engines used during mid season at Imola. Two very different animals so I don't think you can say that much was carried over from the 550's. Regards, Jon | ||
| PSk (Psk)
Intermediate Member Username: Psk Post Number: 1051 Registered: 11-2002 |
Hmmm,
Well surely the builders would have learnt alot from the the 550s ... as they aren't that different are they??? Anyway good stuff .. Pete | ||
| Taek-Ho Kwon (Stickanddice)
Intermediate Member Username: Stickanddice Post Number: 2231 Registered: 11-2002 |
Back on the saddle! That's great! The more racing the better! Thanks for sharing Jon. Cheers | ||
| Dave (Maranelloman)
Advanced Member Username: Maranelloman Post Number: 3071 Registered: 1-2002 |
I forgot the most relevant one:  | ||
| Dave (Maranelloman)
Advanced Member Username: Maranelloman Post Number: 3067 Registered: 1-2002 |
Outstanding!     | ||
| Jon P. Kofod (95f355c)
Intermediate Member Username: 95f355c Post Number: 1116 Registered: 8-2001 |
JMB shocked the grid at the lastest round of the FIA GT CHampionship at Estoril when they won the race in their new 575GTC over the 550 Marnello and were almost 1 1/2 second's quicker. The shocker was that the car was delivered only a week prior to the race and while everyone knew it was fast no expected it to finish. Keep in mind it took half a year before the 550 cars were sorted out, on pace, and able to win a race. Rumor has it that Ferrari is building 10 more such cars. The car was driven to victory by Fabio Babrin and Phillip Peter. Looking good for ALMS next year. Story is here: http://www.qv500.com/results03fiagt9gt.htm Regards, Jon P. Kofod 1995 F355 Challenge #23 www.flatoutracing.net  |