| Author | Message | ||
| Dinah DeRoller (Mme_butterfly)
New member Username: Mme_butterfly Post Number: 12 Registered: 8-2003 |
More photos of the car will come eventually - have to change the decals. Currently the car is in a state of partial disassembly in my garage. As for pics of me, let the speculation run rampant....for now. Dinah | ||
| Sunny Garofalo (Jaguarxj6)
Member Username: Jaguarxj6 Post Number: 790 Registered: 2-2003 |
Welcome! Awesome challenge car... have any more pics? Sunny | ||
| DES (Sickspeed)
Senior Member Username: Sickspeed Post Number: 5739 Registered: 8-2002 |
Thus far, Racy Nika is my favorite... Oops, did i say racy...? i meant racer...  | ||
| Ernie (Ernie)
Member Username: Ernie Post Number: 779 Registered: 11-2001 |
Cool now I have two girls to punch in the arm. Hahahahaaa. Welcome Dihan. Just have to warn you that I like to ruffle feathers, ask Nika. But it is all in good fun. Oh yeah and if your are remotely attracive DO NOT, I repete, DO NOT post your picture. Why? Cause you will get hounded like no tomorrow by all the suck-ups that are here, of which I am not one. So welcome to the brotherhood of Ferrarichat, sister Dihan. | ||
| Martin - Cavallino Motors (Miami348ts)
Senior Member Username: Miami348ts Post Number: 5691 Registered: 5-2001 |
Matt, you and Jon can have parachuttes attached to your cars and would still lap me every 2nd lap. The smiles work like this nex to each other : ) Don't do the space. The big grinn  works : O | ||
| Racer Nika (Racernika)
New member Username: Racernika Post Number: 27 Registered: 7-2003 |
Hi Dinah - welcome! I can't tell you how wonderful the majority of the Chat members are - I have 100 Ferrari big brothers here! I can't wait to hear your Ferrari stories - I'm sure I can relate Best to you Nika www.racerchicks.com | ||
| Vincent (Vincent348)
Member Username: Vincent348 Post Number: 977 Registered: 4-2003 |
Dinah, Awesome, Awesome, Awesome!!! Can't wait to hear more about your experiences with this car. Vincent. | ||
| Ben Cannon (Artherd)
Member Username: Artherd Post Number: 712 Registered: 6-2002 |
Very cool, congratulations Dinah! As I'm sure you know, there's just something completely intoxicating about an F355! Car sounds best with the Challenge exhaust too. Let 'er rip! Best! Ben. | ||
| rob ferretti (Robiferretti)
Member Username: Robiferretti Post Number: 318 Registered: 4-2002 |
awesome looking car! welcome | ||
| Lee Hamner (Tennlee)
Junior Member Username: Tennlee Post Number: 164 Registered: 2-2002 |
Welcome! | ||
| Paul Bianco (Paulie_b)
Member Username: Paulie_b Post Number: 638 Registered: 1-2003 |
Dinah, you got alot of attention today. | ||
| Matt Karson (Squidracing)
Member Username: Squidracing Post Number: 538 Registered: 3-2001 |
Martin...sorry, I don't know how to put the smilly face up. | ||
| Matt Karson (Squidracing)
Member Username: Squidracing Post Number: 537 Registered: 3-2001 |
Ok...enough already!!!! Leave the dirt exactly where it is (was)!! Remember....she likes it when you make her scream like the wild animal she is, the louder the better...and she likes it dirty!! As far as the rest of you boy racers...once Dinah has this car fitting her like a glove, GET OUTTA THE WAY!! Posers will be exposed. The reason I decided to not drive her (but of course thanks to Dinah for the standing offer) is that I only know one way...and I won't drive someone elses car like that. Martin: 1. Find a faster driver in a 355 Challenge Car, and I'll believe your 'clean' theory! Jon: 1. Is it taking two off when just part of the rubber is still on the black stuff?? 2. The stain is still where you left it. Everyone else....the next Squidracing machine will be unveiled next season.... | ||
| Martin - Cavallino Motors (Miami348ts)
Senior Member Username: Miami348ts Post Number: 5687 Registered: 5-2001 |
Jon, point well taken and I assumed that was what Matt and you were referring to. Although I must admit that I left the tape on the front fender after tracking and had no nberve to wash down the rubber marks on my only 348 for weeks that still did not mean I was faster | ||
| Jon P. Kofod (95f355c)
Member Username: 95f355c Post Number: 879 Registered: 8-2001 |
Dinah, The OMP seat that comes with the car is no longer produced by OMP. The closest seat is the ARS. Check at www.teamdi.com or go to: http://www.teamdi.com/seats_SC.htm . I am pretty sure this is the seat in my car (passenger seat). The official OMP Challenge seat is nothing more than a standard OMP seat (discontinued) with the words "Ferrari Challenge" embriodered in the headrest. This special embroidery which I am sure makes you drive faster costs a whopping $2000 extra. Mighty expensive thread must have been used. My passenger seat (minus the expensive stiching) is the exact same model and cost me $600 vs. $2600 for the other seat that came with the Challenge kit. If you think you might go even faster with two "official" Challenge seats FNA may still have a few laying around that they might be willing to sell at a bargain price ($1500 ???). Also in regards to the brakes I am sure Matt has given you the lowdown on all the pads and rotor combinations. Some pads take forever to heat up while others take a lap or two. Pagid Orange pads heat up quickly. The PF pads I use take three laps and when it's cold, like the last Trackmasters event last year at Summit, I have to tape up the brake ducts to get them heated up. As for using the BMW once in a while, I told myself the same thing, but in most cases my BMW (fully race prepped and not street legal) only get's used if the 355 is being worked on. I use the BMW maybe 10% of the time. It's a fun car and fast but the 355 is just plain addicitive. Martin, I am well aware of your theory on a clean surface. In fact the paint on an airplane decreases efficiency by nearly 2-3% alone. I think Matt and I are stereotyping the different types of people that show up at track events with race cars. Not always the case...but usually those you have nice shiny/clean race cars don't drive them very fast so hence the remark from Matt that a "clean race car is a slow one". Also if you drive it fast you tend to go offtrack frequently or at a minimum get a wheel or two in the dirt. Regards, Jon | ||
| Dinah DeRoller (Mme_butterfly)
New member Username: Mme_butterfly Post Number: 11 Registered: 8-2003 |
Mitchell... Seems we have a lot of the Italian/German thing going on here. I did the Euro-delivery in '97 with the M3 as well. That break-in period on the autobahn was a killer (What? That's a FIAT UNO PASSING ME!) Just where on my person was I to look for this serial #? There's a picture of the car in my profile...that's all you need. Mme Butterfly is the name on the car picked for me. I don't get to pick, apparently. At least I didn't have to keep a "Bubba" name. | ||
| Mitchell Le (Yelcab1)
Member Username: Yelcab1 Post Number: 639 Registered: 11-2001 |
Well Dinah At least tell us why you chose Mme Butterfly? And of course I am kidding about the serial number. Pictures, well, ... that is your choice. Hmm, 1997 M3 ... My daily commute is an 98 M3, 4 door sedan, Dakar Yellow, picked up in Munich, and tested to 143 MPH on the autobahn ... with 6 miles on the odometer. Averaged way over 100 MPH all the way to Paris, until the local enforcement caught up with me but that is another long story. Welcome to Fchat, madame. | ||
| Dinah DeRoller (Mme_butterfly)
New member Username: Mme_butterfly Post Number: 10 Registered: 8-2003 |
Martin...you have a point...if I can get this seat in and be happy with it I'll probably get another to match later. I'll have to fiddle with it tonight. IF I could have gotten the VID and had it be FIA approved, that would have been great....but..... | ||
| John A. Suarez (Futureowner)
Member Username: Futureowner Post Number: 815 Registered: 3-2002 |
Dinah, Welcome!!! I'll bet the music that comes out of your challenge car rivals that of any Puccini aria! | ||
| Jim Avery (Boxer12)
Junior Member Username: Boxer12 Post Number: 134 Registered: 6-2003 |
Martin, don't tell us your butt fits in a milk crate! I have the answer to the orig question: Mostly nuts and bolts on this site! (another bad pun...I'm bored...sorry!) | ||
| Martin - Cavallino Motors (Miami348ts)
Senior Member Username: Miami348ts Post Number: 5679 Registered: 5-2001 |
Forget original. I have two different seats in mine. The Challenge is not original in the first place. What are you trying to do, hot laps or win the next Pebble Beach? Heck a milk crate will do with a 5 point harness | ||
| Dinah DeRoller (Mme_butterfly)
New member Username: Mme_butterfly Post Number: 9 Registered: 8-2003 |
Those of you who have challenge cars...what are you using for seats? Mine only came with a driver's seat, so at LRP I picked up an OMP Grip (see previous post about moving orig. seat to pass side). Get it home and try to install, and shell fit is way wider than the original. The original is an OMP VID. I called OMP to see about getting the VID but it a) no longer meets FIA standards, and b) has been discontinued. Why o why am I trying to keep things original? | ||
| Martin - Cavallino Motors (Miami348ts)
Senior Member Username: Miami348ts Post Number: 5678 Registered: 5-2001 |
Bob the challenge car in Florida is mine. Looks different now:  | ||
| Byron (Bmyth)
Intermediate Member Username: Bmyth Post Number: 1124 Registered: 10-2002 |
Dinah, Welcome to Fchat... hehe... I have a 348 challenge that was raced in the fly yellow color as #16, too! (It has since be converted to street-use, and painted the original rosso corsa, though) Funny thing is I have an Avus Blue E36 M3 at home, too!! There are a few women lurking around on this board... one in particular, here on the west coast... Beth, who just bought a 348tb. so you're not alone! Enjoy your car. It looks awesome! | ||
| Martin - Cavallino Motors (Miami348ts)
Senior Member Username: Miami348ts Post Number: 5677 Registered: 5-2001 |
...and where is Nika? | ||
| Martin - Cavallino Motors (Miami348ts)
Senior Member Username: Miami348ts Post Number: 5676 Registered: 5-2001 |
Dinah, welcome! Jon, from aerospace engineers you will learn that thea cleaner and smoother the surface of an object exposed to airflow, the faster the object can travel through the medium. (boy I can sound like I know what I am talking about ) So in theory a clean race car will drive faster than the dirty one. Believe it or not but this is actually true for airplanes. Dirty airplans burn up to 5% more gas than clean ones. And then there is the F-1 effect. Never seen Michaels car all grimed up from the last 5 races, did you? | ||
| Dinah DeRoller (Mme_butterfly)
New member Username: Mme_butterfly Post Number: 8 Registered: 8-2003 |
Jon...am learning very quickly just how long it takes those brakes to warm up! At the end of the back straight at LRP I *stood* on them with a force that would have put me through the windshield in the M3! I already offered to let Matt drive any time he wants...he just wanted to "assist" from the passenger seat. About being clean though...we'll have to see about that. That M3 has always been clean. Then again, maybe the layer of grime/rubber smoothes out the Cd? Anka...thanks! I still have the M3, and have no intention of selling it. I hope to take it to the track a few times a year, and it may also serve as a backup car. Primarily it will be used for the street. D | ||
| Anka (Mechanka)
Junior Member Username: Mechanka Post Number: 55 Registered: 4-2003 |
Hi Dinah, Great 355! - must be a blast to drive. But I myself am partial to the M3. (I think I was born to own/drive that car and some day I know I will) - too bad you got rid of it but the 355 is not too shabby either. By the way, did you ever consider getting the E46? Oh yah, almost forgot, I'm one of the few women here on F-chat not that it matters. I think if your here for the same reason that everybody else is it doesn't matter if you come form Mars or Venus. Anyway, welcome and good luck with the 355 � I�m sure you will master it in no time. Anka | ||
| Jon P. Kofod (95f355c)
Member Username: 95f355c Post Number: 878 Registered: 8-2001 |
Dinah, Don't clean it too much. Matt had this theory about people who drive a clean race car (at least clean on the outside) are slow drivers. I followed his theory and didn't clean mine for about 6 months and was suddenly quicker...so it worked! Look forward to seeing you at the Glen. Might want to let Matt take the car out for a spin as I am sure he is going to be experiencing severe withdrawal at the event watching everyone else driving their Challenge cars. As for Bubba and the truck crew (I call them the Tonka Truck Mafia) just remember all that hp and torque they have doesn't mean squat when it comes time to use the brakes! You have brakes they don't. Regards, Jon | ||
| Jim Avery (Boxer12)
Junior Member Username: Boxer12 Post Number: 130 Registered: 6-2003 |
BTW, those 355C's look like nice cars. I imagine you got a good deal since they can't be run in Challenge races anymore. Definite step up from Beemer. Don't bend it! Have fun!! | ||
| Dinah DeRoller (Mme_butterfly)
New member Username: Mme_butterfly Post Number: 7 Registered: 8-2003 |
And...I should add, I have a relatively thick skin (ask the Bubbas/truck racers). Be prepared to take it as well as dish it out....all in good fun of course. | ||
| Jim Avery (Boxer12)
Junior Member Username: Boxer12 Post Number: 129 Registered: 6-2003 |
Most women are more into flirting than f-chatting, and riding than driving (excuse the pun!). My fiance looks over my shoulder as I do both and keeps me in line (on straights and curves). | ||
| Dinah DeRoller (Mme_butterfly)
New member Username: Mme_butterfly Post Number: 6 Registered: 8-2003 |
Uhhhh...last time I checked I was definitely female :-) | ||
| Jon P. Kofod (95f355c)
Member Username: 95f355c Post Number: 877 Registered: 8-2001 |
I am sure Mitchell is just kidding but I think we've chased off enough women on thi site so knock it off guys. I know who she is and she is a woman and a darn fast one so let's not give the wrong impression. Regards, Jon | ||
| Dinah DeRoller (Mme_butterfly)
New member Username: Mme_butterfly Post Number: 5 Registered: 8-2003 |
Lol Jon! Yes, I remember you from Summit and the Glen. Yes, Red M3 with roll bar, CO, etc. #27. Thanks for the compliments! #16 will be converted to #27 on the Challenge car. Lucky for me, there is no passenger seat to clean up, but man are you right about the "cleaning" thing! I started installing a new seat last night (didn't finish, wrong seat, long story) and came out looking as though I had been dragged thru the mud (working on the interior!?) and coughing/gagging from the dust I stirred up. Then I went at it with a sponge..... I intend to move the old seat to the passenger side...that way the NEW stains from the freaked-out passengers won't be so obvious. I'll be at WGI all of Labor Day weekend with FCA and TM. Looking forward to seeing you there! Dinah | ||
| BobD (Bobd)
Intermediate Member Username: Bobd Post Number: 1454 Registered: 3-2001 |
There's been a 355C advertised in AutoWeek the last month or so... appears to be in South Florida. It's red with blue/white/red stripes and a carbon wing. The ad says it has a fresh motor. I keep thinking someone here might buy that car too. Welcome to F-Chat, Dinah... hope you enjoy your new C! | ||
| Kendall Kim (Kenny)
Member Username: Kenny Post Number: 500 Registered: 9-2001 |
Dinah, Mitchell is just kidding around... If you haven't been lurking this board for a while before you registered; There have been several instances where a couple chatters have been switching log on names, and claiming to be someone they are not... WELCOME... | ||
| Mitchell Le (Yelcab1)
Member Username: Yelcab1 Post Number: 637 Registered: 11-2001 |
With a pen name like Mme butterfly, how could we be sure that you are a woman. Let's have some proof !! Pictures please. Or ... serial number. | ||
| Jon P. Kofod (95f355c)
Member Username: 95f355c Post Number: 876 Registered: 8-2001 |
Dinah, I think we've met (on track). Was (is) your M3 by chance red with a roll cage?? I am Matt's friend Jon with the Red and Yellow 355 Challenge. If you are the fast lady with the red M3 I don't think you will have any problem keeping up the tradition on Matt's former Challenge car. We've run together at Summit Point and the Glen I believe. Welcome aboard! Will you and the car be at the Glen in two weeks? Great car! Though you might want to wash and wax it since Matt had this thing about clean race cars. I don't think he washed the darn thing the entire time he owned it. Matt also liked to scare the bejeepers out of his passengers (me included) so you might want to clean the passenger seat area as well. Great car...welcome to the Challenge club! Regards, Jon P. Kofod 1995 F355 Challenge #23 | ||
| DES (Sickspeed)
Senior Member Username: Sickspeed Post Number: 5713 Registered: 8-2002 |
i second that...! Dinah welcome aboard (ugh, that was a horrible pun)... i love your new car, it looks awesome... | ||
| Dinah DeRoller (Mme_butterfly)
New member Username: Mme_butterfly Post Number: 4 Registered: 8-2003 |
Augustine - Watkins Glen is my home track, you'll see me there for any FCA, Trackmasters, G52, FTT, and occasionally BMWCCA events. Forgot to mention, I instruct for FCA, Trackmasters & BMWCCA. I've also done LRP (once), Summit, Mosport, Cayuga, and would love to expand. Have trailer...will travel! | ||
| Dinah DeRoller (Mme_butterfly)
New member Username: Mme_butterfly Post Number: 3 Registered: 8-2003 |
Thanks, Charles (love your garage, what, no lift?) & Dave... The M3 is really a fantastic track car, it just was getting flogged by me a bit too much. If I had kept it as track only, another $15K (no, I can't leave it alone) would have been thrown at it and then it would no longer be streetable (it's barely streetable now!). I'd been getting about as much speed out of it as I could, so it was time for something faster. Besides, I drove the 355 last year and could NOT get it out of my mind. I think we'll get along just fine...and I am looking forward to some serious play on the track! | ||
| Augustine J. Staino (Azzuro328)
Junior Member Username: Azzuro328 Post Number: 180 Registered: 4-2003 |
Dinah, Welcome aboard! I just got my girlfriend to join also. You're in good company. I notice that you are in New York. If it's not too far, you should try to meet up with us on a few of our NY/NJ get togethers. It's a great group! -Augustine | ||
| Jeff Howe (Ferrari_uk)
Member Username: Ferrari_uk Post Number: 497 Registered: 12-2002 |
Hi. Nice to have you here. Shame we can't sell you any old bits !! You need to buy an old car ! Cheers. | ||
| Dave (Maranelloman)
Advanced Member Username: Maranelloman Post Number: 2560 Registered: 1-2002 |
Dinah, WELCOME!! You are right: there aren't too many women here. Unfortunately. Hopefully more will join in (despite the often rude sexism displayed for humor by many of the guys here on occasion, myself included...) You will find one of the most active, Nika, is also into racing. Love your 355C. There is a lady friend of mine here in Austin, who is not on this board, who also has one...and she plans to race it for the first time in the Grand Am race lat in October at Daytona! And she is a 50+ year old grandmother!!! Also, Mandy R. is on here occasionally. She is from Houston, and is an active racer in the 360 Challenge series right now: car # 19, the Make-A-Wish Foundation car. Finally, like you, I also have a 1997 M3. Great car...and with the mods I have done, a GREAT track car. Best wishes!! -Dave | ||
| Charles Barton (Airbarton)
Member Username: Airbarton Post Number: 693 Registered: 11-2002 |
Welcome to the group Dinah! | ||
| Dinah DeRoller (Mme_butterfly)
New member Username: Mme_butterfly Post Number: 2 Registered: 8-2003 |
Greetings! I've been lurking here for awhile, and have recently become the (tentatively, while I figure things out) happy owner of one screaming yellow 355 Challenge car. Coming from a BMW background, I don't doubt it's going to take a while to become as comfortable on the track with this as I am in the M3. For those of you who know this car...it's going to be driven a little slower for awhile. This won't be for long, if I have anything to say about it:-) Not too many women on this board.....time to change that! Dinah |