| Author | Message | ||
| Rob Lay (Rob328gts)
Board Administrator Username: Rob328gts Post Number: 4385 Registered: 12-2000 |
Ok, just need some feedback here on the sponsorship program. My money has been sent and I sign the paperwork tomorrow. I'll pick the car up early May once I get a trailer and they install the SCCA cage. We have (5) $1,000 sponsors, (11) $250 sponsors, and a few maybes. I haven't measured the panels yet, but I think the capacity will be for about 10 $1,000 sponsors and 50 $250 sponsors. Over the 18+ months the cost of car and operational (assuming no blow ups) will run upwards of $120,000. This is a 100% business transaction under my company Curvacom LLC. I have nothing to personally benefit except having a hell of a fun time in the process. At the end of the day it will be a loosing money project, but I'm looking at it as an advertising expense. I want your feedback on what each sponsorship program offers and how I could modify it to increase participation. At both levels I'm really trying to offer enough in return that the value is greater that what you put in. Of course the unscientific part is much of that value is intangible. The tangible benefits are... framed picture, race team shirts, your on car name, VIP rides, and 1:18 model of car for $1,000 sponsors. The intangible stuff would be... thrill of the ride and a video to prove it, being a "sponsor" of a Ferrari race team, and just being part of the FerrariChat.com community and contributing to improving it. I can understand those that think $250 is too much money for right now, but for those that have the money, what are some of the reasons you're not interested and any suggestions. You won't hurt my feelings too bad.  http://www.ferrarichat.com/discus/raceteam/index.htm | ||
| Rob Lay (Rob328gts)
Board Administrator Username: Rob328gts Post Number: 4381 Registered: 12-2000 |
Rob, yes, but I would get my butt kicked and they're not afraid to trade paint in WC. I remember Bobby Archer bump drafting Matt Drendel down the straight. SCCA is thinking about a "steping stone" to WC with a Pro T1/T2 series. It would run along side the Pro Formula SCCA and SM. | ||
| Rob Schermerhorn (Rexrcr)
Member Username: Rexrcr Post Number: 495 Registered: 11-2002 |
Umm, isn't this kinda like Speed World Challenge sanctioned by SCCA Pro? Maybe they're talking about limiting modifications and such? BTW, Rob, you can run this car in Pro World Challenge or GrandAm Cup. They'd all be happy to see the exotica participating. | ||
| L. Wayne Ausbrooks (Lwausbrooks)
Intermediate Member Username: Lwausbrooks Post Number: 1403 Registered: 8-2002 |
Thanks Bart. It's nice to just be lazy every once in a while. I promise I won't make a habit of it. | ||
| Bart Boonacker (Sharky666)
Member Username: Sharky666 Post Number: 280 Registered: 9-2002 |
[quote] Suprise!!! The car is S/N #104504. [/quote] Just read the tread, and then it's obvious  just read the post of Rob : Posted on Friday, April 11, 2003 - 9:52 am: | ||
| L. Wayne Ausbrooks (Lwausbrooks)
Intermediate Member Username: Lwausbrooks Post Number: 1401 Registered: 8-2002 |
I'm with Andreas on this one. Has anybody guessed it correctly or is it still a mystery? | ||
| Rob Lay (Rob328gts)
Board Administrator Username: Rob328gts Post Number: 4373 Registered: 12-2000 |
The only possible race that would be completly televised would be the 2004 Valvoline Runoffs at Mid-Ohio. There's talks about a pro T1/T2 series, but it's only an idea right now with the SCCA. | ||
| Jason Williams (Pristines4)
Junior Member Username: Pristines4 Post Number: 213 Registered: 12-2002 |
Rob, I ment to ask you - will the races that this car competes in be televised? Jason- | ||
| Andreas Forrer (Tifosi12)
Member Username: Tifosi12 Post Number: 787 Registered: 10-2002 |
Somehow I lost the plot on this or missed the final announcement. Which car is it now? Sorry, but I didn't read through the whole thread. Too much. | ||
| Rob Lay (Rob328gts)
Board Administrator Username: Rob328gts Post Number: 4358 Registered: 12-2000 |
Dang you Rob! I don't know why I would ever try to prove you wrong with all your experience. Remind me again, before I try to do it next time. Not only were you right about the cage, but you were also right about the 360 C in T1. Bob Mayer said the same thing in an email and here's the letter from SCCA Club Racing tech... Rob, The 360 Modena is classified in T1. The car may be prepared to 02 Challenge Specs, with the exception of tires and required restrictor. The car also must have an SCCA legal roll cage. -Jeremy | ||
| Jon P. Kofod (95f355c)
Member Username: 95f355c Post Number: 578 Registered: 8-2001 |
Kevin, The problem in turn 9 used to be that the rumble stip ended and there was a slight dip or dropoff into the grass. If you went over the rumble strip and your left rear wheel hit that dip it would unsettle the car. Jeff got pushed outside by another car making an inside pass and hit that dip (more like a small pothole) and skidded into the tire barrier where the car flipped. That small dip has been paved over and now it's perfectly alright to exit the rumble strip and hit some grass, though not the optimal way to do things. I am only pushing 8 or 9 tenths with passengers in the car. See you on the 22nd. Regards, Jon | ||
| Kevin Butler (Challenge)
Junior Member Username: Challenge Post Number: 128 Registered: 9-2002 |
Jon, your scaring me now with this roll cage and turn 9 talk.... | ||
| Jon P. Kofod (95f355c)
Member Username: 95f355c Post Number: 577 Registered: 8-2001 |
Rob, I am not sure if the car Rob L. is referring to is the one I know about or not. A fellow competitor of mine in SCCA, named Jeff Stahley, who now races S2000's campained a 355 Challenge in T1 at both the regional and national level here on the east coast in the MARRS Series. I was at Summit Point spectating when he went off on the outside of turn #9 and flipped the car twice. The center bar was indeed caved in badly and the roll bar on the a pillar was also caved in. I think this is the incident that Rob L. is referring to. The drivers side was so compacted (roof and bar) that Jeff had to exit out the passenger side after they cut the door off. Jeff walked away with minor injuries but the car which was eventually taken to Karosserie (Ferrari body shop in Philadelphia) was actually gone over by some folks at FNA who wanted to look at the car since it was still at that time running in the Challenge Series (2001). Rob S. is correct in that no roll cage is full proof but I have to say that I was not happy to see the way Jeff's cage caved in. I still think a fully welded in cage is best. The OMP cage is not as good in my opinion. Rob S. you have more experience than any of us with Challenge cars but I have to say the design of the OMP cage is not up to SCCA standards. I have seen a ton of horrific wrecks in both the official Trans Am Series and the same cars running in GT1 at the National SCCA level. I have seen some cars literally end up in two pieces and the cage was still intact even though it no longer had any body pieces attached. It could be that Jeff's crash circumstances would have caused the same damage to an SCCA cage. No way to know. And as Rob S. and Rob L. can tell you, every crash is unique. However I have seen many bad crashes in turn 9 that resulted in flipped cars. Three years ago a racer was airlifted out after his GT1 Camaro flipped three times and went over the tirewall. That car had the roof completely ripped off and everything from the side door handle back seperated. Thanks for clearing up the "approved" roll bar issue. I too was under the impression that the cage had to be redesigned after that wreck and that it was approved before hand. Regards, Jon P. Kofod 1995 F355 Challenge #23 PS: Congrats Rob !! Welcome to the Club !! Now you'll have to learn to hide the credit card bills from the wife like the rest of us. | ||
| Rob Lay (Rob328gts)
Board Administrator Username: Rob328gts Post Number: 4356 Registered: 12-2000 |
Rob, you're right about the cage! I just confirmed with Bob Mayer that the OMP cage is made of stronger metals and thus the smaller diameter, however, it's still just as strong, just doesn't meet the black and white rules of the SCCA. Sorry about the misinformation that I was just perpetuating. | ||
| Rob Schermerhorn (Rexrcr)
Member Username: Rexrcr Post Number: 492 Registered: 11-2002 |
Dude, it's a done deal, call SCCA. Unless I missed them rescinding homologation. The specs were in Sports Car last year, and the regular T1 competitors were talking up speculation of whether or not Rick would show up in one last season (which he didn't). | ||
| Rob Lay (Rob328gts)
Board Administrator Username: Rob328gts Post Number: 4355 Registered: 12-2000 |
Hey, I already said "flimsy" was probably a poor word to use, I never used "not safe" though. I realize that if you have enough force, that anything will fail. I'll go back to my sources as I've heard many times the reason for the SCCA change on this was after seeing a bad accident in the OMP cage. You could be right though, you know how misinformation gets around, especially with the SCCA. I know I'm still right on the 360 C not being legal in T1 yet! I'm not giving up that one to you quite yet.  | ||
| Rob Schermerhorn (Rexrcr)
Member Username: Rexrcr Post Number: 489 Registered: 11-2002 |
I don't know where you heard this. Lake Forest and Rick Mancuso (and I) was on the ground floor with the SCCA for homologation of the F355 Challenge in T1, as well as 348 in regional racing. I was involved in sorting the details for the cage specification with SCCA technical director Sven Pruett. I competely understand the why's, when's and how's regarding homologation and cage requirements. SCCA did not "disallow" the OMP/FIA cage after an incident. They never aproved it in the first place for aforesaid reasons, specifically method of bolted joints and rear support tube diameter, number of mounting flange bolts, too. Not that the OMP cage is inferior, just built to different design specifications for different sanctioning bodies. BTW, any safety cage will fail given specific forces. One cannot generalize inferiority of design based on one situation. I have witnessed some very nasty Challenge shunts where drivers walked away from rollovers, totaled cars, with little or no injury. I don't want to start a rumor of "...I heard the Challenge cage is not safe..." Bull sh*t. Best regards, Rob (aka Rexrcr) | ||
| Rob Lay (Rob328gts)
Board Administrator Username: Rob328gts Post Number: 4354 Registered: 12-2000 |
Suprise!!! The car is S/N #104504. It was Steve Earle's car through the 355 Challenge series 1996-1999. Ed Martinez raced it in 2000-2001. I know it raced in Italy several times at the world championship and I believe it raced at Indy with Ed driving. Steve had two championships with it (1996 & 1999) along with numerous victories. The car went through a ground up rebuild recently towards the end of Ed's ownership. Cosmetically the car is in better shape than my 328. With being newly rebuilt I think this car is a great mix of history, but with the current status of near perfect condition. I'm still trying to piece together the history and gather pictures. Please let me know if you have any information. All the info I have now can be found here... http://www.ferrarichat.com/discus/raceteam/1995_ferrari_355_challenge.htm I appreciate everyone's advice over the previous months. I'm sure I'll have many more questions. I hope to have the car on track for the first test session end of May. Thanks to all the sponsors and we could still use some more. Sponsor graphics will start going on the car in June and it will start appearing and be ready for events in July. http://www.ferrarichat.com/discus/raceteam/index.htm The following will receive a race team shirt when available (prob. by July)... Dave, Jon, Rikky, and Roel. Remind me down the road if I forget to send you one. Thanks, rob | ||
| Rob Lay (Rob328gts)
Board Administrator Username: Rob328gts Post Number: 4352 Registered: 12-2000 |
Rob, the reason SCCA started disallowing the OMP cage was they had one in a SCCA race cave in at the roof bar. "Flimsy" was just a word to get attention, of course the OMP cage would be good 90% of the time, but I don't mind getting a little 10% extra protection. | ||
| Rob Schermerhorn (Rexrcr)
Member Username: Rexrcr Post Number: 487 Registered: 11-2002 |
Technical clarification: The original cage is built to FIA international standards, legal most anywhere but the SCCA. I would suggest that SCCA simply has a few critical technical requirements that are slightly different from the FIA standard the OMP cage is built to. SCCA does not want to make the precedence of allowing one exception, only to be continually petitioned for more exceptions (a decision which I support). FWIW, a SCCA legal cage design is very stout, though I would say also the OMP cage is very strong too. I would not use the word "flimsy". | ||
| Rob Lay (Rob328gts)
Board Administrator Username: Rob328gts Post Number: 4347 Registered: 12-2000 |
Nope, prepared to Ferrari Challenge rules, none of the 348, 355, and 360 Challenge cars are legal. You would mainly just have to add weight with stuff like lights to make them legal, but the race suspension wouldn't make them practical at all to drive on the street. The street 348 Challenge cars you see are a rare from the factory car and they sell for $60-80k. However, they don't have much of the race stuff installed on them. I'm not in a huge hurry to get the car. They'll be installing a SCCA legal roll cage as the stock ones are flimsy and not legal in SCCA. I also need to buy an enclosed car hauler over the next couple weeks. I hope to have the first private test session during May. | ||
| Rikky Alessi (Ralessi)
Junior Member Username: Ralessi Post Number: 96 Registered: 5-2002 |
Ahh, I must have just read it too quickly... Are 355C's street legal though? I think I remember reading once that the 360's aren't but the 355's are... When do you expect delivery? | ||
| Rob Lay (Rob328gts)
Board Administrator Username: Rob328gts Post Number: 4346 Registered: 12-2000 |
$49k for a 348. The going rate for 348 racing C's is $35-45k. There was a 355 C on ebay last week for $62.5k going rate. Assume an engine and trans rebuild for $30k though. There's some good 355 C's selling for $75-85k. If you want a street legal one, then get a full street car, going inbetween gives you a crappy race car and a crappy street car. | ||
| Rikky Alessi (Ralessi)
Junior Member Username: Ralessi Post Number: 95 Registered: 5-2002 |
Wow, 49,500 USD is overpriced? How much do these things usually go for? That actually seems like a deal. Are 355C's street legal? | ||
| Bart Boonacker (Sharky666)
Member Username: Sharky666 Post Number: 271 Registered: 9-2002 |
Roel, I found some challenge cars for sale aswell btw, I like the one where he trows off his gloves in the pits while changing drivers :  B ut the ones trough the other lens or cool aswell. btw, ROEL MAIL ME OVER ZATERDAG !!!! | ||
| Rob Lay (Rob328gts)
Board Administrator Username: Rob328gts Post Number: 4336 Registered: 12-2000 |
Yes I do, a video of it actually racing would be awesome! Thanks Sean. | ||
| Sean Ruckel (Sruckel)
Junior Member Username: Sruckel Post Number: 190 Registered: 10-2001 |
Here are a couple of poor quality pics of the car I took at Laguna Seca in 99. Dr. Earle was co-driver of a GTS class ALMS car as well, for which I was in the pit crew supporting. Rob - I have some videos of the car going through the corkscrew if you want a copy.   | ||
| Rob Lay (Rob328gts)
Board Administrator Username: Rob328gts Post Number: 4332 Registered: 12-2000 |
Are those tires leaning up against my bumper!!! | ||
| Roel de Fouw (Spawnz)
Junior Member Username: Spawnz Post Number: 149 Registered: 6-2002 |
very well Rob, good for clearing up what info you're still in search of. Did some digging just now and found 1 raceresult from the year 2000... Ok not much, but you gotta start somewhere aye? Check this site out (that language...ouch), But its got some info. Well I'll just paste the usefull stuff: 2000 Ferrari Challenge Final @ Mugello day1 (10/27/2000) MARTINEZ #20 of 20 day2 (10/28/2000) MARTINEZ #21 of 22 There's some more additional info on the page itself. (laptimes etc) http://www.protech-k.co.jp/ferrari/challenge6.html Found a fairly cool picture on the site too, look real good, the car is there.  ok ok, third car from the left. It's somehow very much fun to dig up on some car's history and then actually find a pic or some text about it. Anyway, the search continues. | ||
| Rob Lay (Rob328gts)
Board Administrator Username: Rob328gts Post Number: 4323 Registered: 12-2000 |
Yes, Steve only drove the car through the end of 1999. Ed drove it in the 2000 and 2001 season. Checked Cavallino and the 355 C that Toni drove this year at Cavallino was 104101 or something like that, not 104504. I haven't had time to even add from the information I do have, however, this will give you a little idea of what I'm missing. Most Challenge results 1997-2000. I do have the 2001 results, but haven't had time to add it yet. Ed drove it in 2000-2001 under the #50. The car was yellow with the Italian flag until I think about mid year 2000. Please let me know if you find results, pics, or publications with information. http://www.ferrarichat.com/discus/raceteam/1995_ferrari_355_challenge.htm Thank You, rob | ||
| Roel de Fouw (Spawnz)
Junior Member Username: Spawnz Post Number: 148 Registered: 6-2002 |
Heh Bart, found that site too, some -very- nice pictures of the car there. My 2 personal favorites:   Also found it pretty funny to spot the Black/blue/green 348 challenge car #0, it has been for sale on dennigcars.org for quite some time already. But it is overpriced at USD 49.500. Oops I'm slipping off topic. sorry. | ||
| Dave (Maranelloman)
Intermediate Member Username: Maranelloman Post Number: 1055 Registered: 1-2002 |
Nyah-nyah-nyah! I said Steve Earle first!   | ||
| Roel de Fouw (Spawnz)
Junior Member Username: Spawnz Post Number: 147 Registered: 6-2002 |
As for the second hint; 1996 Chpion Ferrari Challenge F355 North America 3 vict.+ 9 pod. Chpion World Ferrari Challenge Mugello 1� Ferrari Challenge Japon-Pacific-USA 1998 Vice Chpion Ferrari Challenge F355 North America 13 pod. Chpion Ferrari Endurance NA Vainqueur Ferrari Challenge USA + Rest of the World Imola 11� GT3 12h Sebring /P.911 Racer's Group All clues keep pointing in Steve (Stephen) Earle's direction. As for the year 2000 results, I don't think there are any with steve being the driver, as he participated in the 360 challenge series then. About some results & info, check out this site http://www.lemans.org/course/aco2002/statique/pilotes/fiche_pilote_1_2_2_1506.shtml But I presume that you've already found that one yourself Rob. | ||
| Bart Boonacker (Sharky666)
Member Username: Sharky666 Post Number: 270 Registered: 9-2002 |
Mmmz, I guess Roel beat me to it, this is what I found : #104504 F355 Challenge Ed Martinez USA Ferrari of Houston 21430 complete VIN should be something like ZFFPX41A2S0104504 (Ok, it's a guess, some numbers could be different ) the old picture, there are more were these came from.  Oops, the photo was taken by Bruce B. Miller, (got them from www.maranello.cc) | ||
| Rob Lay (Rob328gts)
Board Administrator Username: Rob328gts Post Number: 4322 Registered: 12-2000 |
Geez, since everyone is still so far off I'll keep the hints coming. Hint #2: Raced in Italy at least twice (Mugello in 1996 and Imola in 1998) I'm still having problems finding 2000 and before results, so I only have about 25% complete information. Please let me know if you have results or pictures from 2000 season and before. | ||
| Rob Lay (Rob328gts)
Board Administrator Username: Rob328gts Post Number: 4320 Registered: 12-2000 |
I'll race the Valvoline Runoffs some year, but SRX7 is just a regional class and the 355 gets it butt kicked by the new Z06's and Vipers. Who knows though, I might just do it for the experience and to get on TV. 2004 will be the last year I can race it in T1 as there's a 10 year limit. | ||
| Rikky Alessi (Ralessi)
Junior Member Username: Ralessi Post Number: 94 Registered: 5-2002 |
Hey Rob, any chance you'll end up at Mid-Ohio one of these days? I would love to come out and see you and the team! | ||
| Rob Lay (Rob328gts)
Board Administrator Username: Rob328gts Post Number: 4318 Registered: 12-2000 |
Small world, see, I knew things would start coming together. I didn't realize Toni was Ed's widow. Seems like I remember her in the latest Cavallino as driving a 355 C at Cavallino. Maybe it is the same car, I'll have to look the article over again and see if they list S/N's. She may of had another 355 C and I know she has a 360 C that's for sale too. Matt, I don't think it's Crowder's car. I'm only the 3rd owner of the car. | ||
| Dave (Maranelloman)
Intermediate Member Username: Maranelloman Post Number: 1046 Registered: 1-2002 |
My good friend (and first driving instructor, and the guy who got me into instructing), Randy Aust, now owns that lime green 348 Challenge car. It's how I met Toni. | ||
| Jere Dunham (Questioner)
Member Username: Questioner Post Number: 314 Registered: 1-2003 |
Rob, I have spoken with Toni Martinez and she is Ed's widow. She is also a race driver and can probably help with some tips. They did a special TV bit on her a couple of years ago on the local College Station station. It was filmed at TWS and she was driving her lime green 348 Challenge at the time. She is a nice lady from what I know of her. | ||
| Matt Karson (Squidracing)
Member Username: Squidracing Post Number: 451 Registered: 3-2001 |
Is it Kevin Krouder's (spelling) car?? What you described reminds me of a car I flew down to Houston to look at. Bought a different one from them (and couldn't be happier with it), but his car was a complete rebuild. | ||
| Dave (Maranelloman)
Intermediate Member Username: Maranelloman Post Number: 1042 Registered: 1-2002 |
Yeah, Rob, I saw that. Looks like Ed may have thought he was in Nascar for a second...  | ||
| Roel de Fouw (Spawnz)
Junior Member Username: Spawnz Post Number: 146 Registered: 6-2002 |
I just posted the number which is clearly visible on his helmet in this picture. It's on the white bar on the side.  People say I have good eyesight. *kuch* | ||
| Roel de Fouw (Spawnz)
Junior Member Username: Spawnz Post Number: 145 Registered: 6-2002 |
Ok, I'll give it a shot 104504 | ||
| Rob Lay (Rob328gts)
Board Administrator Username: Rob328gts Post Number: 4316 Registered: 12-2000 |
That's so weird Jere, you posted the exact same message at 2:31pm. Darn software. | ||
| Jim E (Jimpo1)
Intermediate Member Username: Jimpo1 Post Number: 1585 Registered: 7-2001 |
Another pic...  | ||
| Jere Dunham (Questioner)
Member Username: Questioner Post Number: 312 Registered: 1-2003 |
If you will look in the April/May 220 Cavallino, in the Cavallino Classic entrants listing you will see Toni Martinez, College Station,Tx and a 355 Challenge. Could this be your next car Rob? | ||
| DES (Sickspeed)
Advanced Member Username: Sickspeed Post Number: 3207 Registered: 8-2002 |
Hey, Rob, i can't sponsor, but i have a little something i'd love to donate... Where can i send it...? It's probably best that i don't sponsor, anyway - people see my name on the car, other sponsors might pull out...! | ||
| izel k. (Ferrarist)
Junior Member Username: Ferrarist Post Number: 192 Registered: 3-2001 |
whether i live out of USA, my passion and best wishes will always be with you. Good Luck! | ||
| Rob Lay (Rob328gts)
Board Administrator Username: Rob328gts Post Number: 4315 Registered: 12-2000 |
We'll be traveling around the country, I hope the entire FerrariChat.com user community feels like they're part of this whether being a sponsor or not. | ||
| izel k. (Ferrarist)
Junior Member Username: Ferrarist Post Number: 190 Registered: 3-2001 |
250 bucks is so much for me right now. i'd really like to support the team. and right now i think that i can do it by buying team products like shirt. i hope to give 1000usd one day to support the ferrarichat.com racing team! And i'm so far away from you to get the rides | ||
| Rob Lay (Rob328gts)
Board Administrator Username: Rob328gts Post Number: 4313 Registered: 12-2000 |
No one has given the serial number yet, a free shirt for the first that lists it. | ||
| Rob Lay (Rob328gts)
Board Administrator Username: Rob328gts Post Number: 4312 Registered: 12-2000 |
izel, just think of it as a $250 shirt! For free I'll throw in another shirt, put your name on the car until 2005, give you rides, and also give you a framed 8.5 by 11 photo of the car in action along with your name in a small corner pop up photo. | ||
| Rob Lay (Rob328gts)
Board Administrator Username: Rob328gts Post Number: 4311 Registered: 12-2000 |
Jere, Toni is someone else and that's a different car. Andreas, it will be announced Friday because no one knows yet. Come on, humor me, I still have 2 more days of trivia to do! | ||
| izel k. (Ferrarist)
Junior Member Username: Ferrarist Post Number: 189 Registered: 3-2001 |
I also guess as Dr. Steve Earle #07! FoH. I hope we'll be able to buy that shirt from Ferrarichat Boutique! | ||
| Andreas Forrer (Tifosi12)
Member Username: Tifosi12 Post Number: 758 Registered: 10-2002 |
Didn't follow all the leads here, but is the silver #50 car the one you're getting? | ||
| Jere Dunham (Questioner)
Member Username: Questioner Post Number: 311 Registered: 1-2003 |
If you will look in the April/May 220 Cavallino, in the Cavallino Classic entrants listing you will see Toni Martinez, College Station,Tx and a 355 Challenge. Could this be your next car Rob? | ||
| Rikky Alessi (Ralessi)
Junior Member Username: Ralessi Post Number: 93 Registered: 5-2002 |
I was bored at school today and tried to look up stuff on 355 challenge series, but there is hardly anything, gonna keep looking... seems to be pretty interesting must be really exciting for you to be getting this car! It seems like it came out of nowhere, to me at least | ||
| Rob Lay (Rob328gts)
Board Administrator Username: Rob328gts Post Number: 4310 Registered: 12-2000 |
If you look at Jon's picture carefully you can see where Ed must of used another Challenge car as a little brake. | ||
| Jim E (Jimpo1)
Intermediate Member Username: Jimpo1 Post Number: 1583 Registered: 7-2001 |
I was going to guess Steve Earle also, but 3 are ahead of me! Damn morning meeting. | ||
| Rob Lay (Rob328gts)
Board Administrator Username: Rob328gts Post Number: 4309 Registered: 12-2000 |
He wasn't the fastest of drivers, but did many challenge races and even a couple SCCA races in a 355. The car raced at Indy in 2000! See the picture from the other thread, yes, that's it, the one in the back row. | ||
| Dave (Maranelloman)
Intermediate Member Username: Maranelloman Post Number: 1037 Registered: 1-2002 |
No, unfortunately. I know his widowm, Toni, and have heard much about him through various people in the track-event & Ferrari communities here in Texas. | ||
| Rob Lay (Rob328gts)
Board Administrator Username: Rob328gts Post Number: 4308 Registered: 12-2000 |
Don't worry Rikky, don't ask me how I know this, but you'll be getting at least one shirt. | ||
| Rob Lay (Rob328gts)
Board Administrator Username: Rob328gts Post Number: 4307 Registered: 12-2000 |
Ed's Obituary... http://www.theeagle.com/region/records/obituaries/Aug02obits/083002obits.htm Did you ever meet him Dave? Looks like he was an amazing person. | ||
| Dave (Maranelloman)
Intermediate Member Username: Maranelloman Post Number: 1036 Registered: 1-2002 |
R.I.P to Ed Martinez. | ||
| Rikky Alessi (Ralessi)
Junior Member Username: Ralessi Post Number: 92 Registered: 5-2002 |
And in any case, I will guess Dr. Steve Earl as well ;-) | ||
| Rikky Alessi (Ralessi)
Junior Member Username: Ralessi Post Number: 91 Registered: 5-2002 |
Rob, will you be selling the t-shirts separately? I'd like to pick one up and support the team, but I can't really afford 200 bucks... Rikky Alessi | ||
| Jon P. Kofod (95f355c)
Member Username: 95f355c Post Number: 562 Registered: 8-2001 |
Ok, here is a picture of it with the nuumber 7 on it. Sorry it's a Hot wheels model but I couldn't find any real pictures.  | ||
| Rob Lay (Rob328gts)
Board Administrator Username: Rob328gts Post Number: 4305 Registered: 12-2000 |
I know Tom won the series at least one year and I think maybe even two years. Steve won the championship two years and also the Endurance championship twice... I believe. | ||
| Rob Lay (Rob328gts)
Board Administrator Username: Rob328gts Post Number: 4304 Registered: 12-2000 |
This person and car didn't win every race or didn't win every championship for the 355 Challenge series from 1996-1999, but did win more than any other, including the person you're mentioning James. Not that I'm going to say until Friday, but just because I know so much over my research the past few weeks. Jon, that car is Steve's old car but with Ed Martinez driving. When Steve drove the car it was the yellow with Italian racing flag on it. Ed bought the car from Steve for the 2000 season when Steve moved up to the 360 Challenge. Steve always used the number #07 (except when he raced at the Worlds in Italy). Ed Martinez number was #50. In 2000 the car was repainted to match the FoH/FoD team silver base scheme. I'm still not telling, you can't pull it out of me until Friday.  | ||
| Bart Boonacker (Sharky666)
Member Username: Sharky666 Post Number: 269 Registered: 9-2002 |
that's the one of Tom Popadopoulos ? Don't know anything about the whole 355 challenge world, just doing some Internet research | ||
| James Glickenhaus (Napolis)
Member Username: Napolis Post Number: 930 Registered: 10-2002 |
If you want a winner you should buy the car that beat him. It's available from WWOC. Best Jim | ||
| Jon P. Kofod (95f355c)
Member Username: 95f355c Post Number: 560 Registered: 8-2001 |
 Not sure if this is the right picture or car but it's gotta be Steve's car. Other than Allie Ash of Ferrari of Washington, Steve is the only competitor to do very 355 C race. What color and size do the shirts come in? Congrats Rob! Weclome to the club? Regards, Jon P. Kofod 1995 F355 Challenge #23 | ||
| Bart Boonacker (Sharky666)
Member Username: Sharky666 Post Number: 268 Registered: 9-2002 |
Nice one rob, great strategy. Everyone wants that shirt offcourse I'll start searching right away ps. since I probably can't find it, is there a way to buy those shirts ? Besides the fact of becoming a sponsor. | ||
| Dave (Maranelloman)
Intermediate Member Username: Maranelloman Post Number: 1033 Registered: 1-2002 |
Thank God I ain't in that very small list! But I know that Steve was Sprint & Enduro champ in the 355, hence my guess. | ||
| Rob Lay (Rob328gts)
Board Administrator Username: Rob328gts Post Number: 4301 Registered: 12-2000 |
Free FC Race Team shirt to the first 3 that guess it right. Not like it's very hard. How eazy the answer is speaks to the history of this car and driver. I won't tell until Friday though. I'm not in Marketing, but this is my attempt to stir up interest. There are a very small handful I've had to tell for one reason or another, I know who you are! | ||
| Dave (Maranelloman)
Intermediate Member Username: Maranelloman Post Number: 1032 Registered: 1-2002 |
Dr. Steve Earle's car?  | ||
| Rob Lay (Rob328gts)
Board Administrator Username: Rob328gts Post Number: 4300 Registered: 12-2000 |
This Friday, April 11th FerrariChat.com will announce the acquisition of it's 355 Challenge car and the SN of this famous car. Each day I will give you a few more hints on which car it is. You can guess on here, but I won't reveal to everyone until Friday. I imagine as I give more hints each day most people will be able to guess the car. The car raced all years of the 355 Challenge series and was recently rebuilt from the ground up... rebuilt engine, rebuilt trans, body, tub and all. It's in practically as new condition. However, the pre-rebuild history of this car is extensive and it's arguably the most successful 355 Challenge car raced in the world. Hint #1: Multiple USA season champion (both Sprint and Enduro). For more information on the FerrariChat.com Race Team and sponsorship opportunities, please visit... http://www.ferrarichat.com/discus/raceteam/index.htm Update on the $1,000 level not posted on the page yet. Sponsors at this level can choose to either receive all 10 race shirts or they may choose 2 race shirts and also receive an accurate 1:18 scale model of the car. |