| Author | Message | ||
| Barton Workman (Bartonworkman)
New member Username: Bartonworkman Post Number: 1 Registered: 3-2002 |
Thanks to Fiona Miller of Prodrive and Ed Triolo of Olive Garden for allowing the Ferrari Owners Club Florida Region members an upclose look at the 550 Maranellos. Dez from Prodrive gave us a great technical discussion and Ed gave us a chat at Rafanelli. We were later able to meet Brad Blum CEO of the Olive Garden who invited us to the Olive Garden in Tuscany. In the race, Prodrive had a very good showing. From the final results that I have seen, the Prodrive 550 GT Maranello with Alain Menu driving took the fastest lap in the GTS category with a 1:58:607 compaired with the fastest lap by a Corvette at 2:00:370. Prodrive perservered to the finish despite some set backs described by Dez to me in the pits. The first problem early on was caused by the heat (90F) affecting the ECU's which had to be replaced. Second, the gear shift lever came off in the driver's hand (which happened to both 550 GT entries). Third, the starter motor had to be replaced around sundown setting the effort back about 30 minutes. Prodrive then had a clean run to the finish. Prodrive have to be very pleased with the result as a finish at Sebring is a minor victory in itself. The car looked fantastic on the track and I saw from several positions where the car was just as fast as some of the LMP 900 cars on the high speed bits. Remembering that the Corvette is allowed more downforce and is at the height of it's development, the Prodrive 550 GT Maranello made more than an impressive showing. The team reported to me that the Ferrari was consistently faster than the Corvettes, Vipers and Saleens on full tanks. If these teams are able to test the cars leading up to LeMans pre-qualifying the the 24 Hours itself, we should expect some very good results. It may be suggested that Ferrari lobby the ACO to allow the 550 GT Maranellos to run sequential (as they were in the FIA GT) or paddle shifters as clearly both efforts were having problems adapting to H pattern shifting. There is no shortage of driving talent in these teams and with proper testing and preparations, they should be very competitive at LeMans. Olive Garden/Rafanelli had a very unfortunate week completeing only 11 laps in the race and retiring with what was officially reported as being a broken driveshaft but there were numerous problems derailing the team's race. The full story in TIFOSI 5. BHW | ||
| joe saldana (Ironjoe)
New member Username: Ironjoe Post Number: 36 Registered: 12-2001 |
MAN,That was AWESOME I drooled for about a minute a picture, | ||
| joe saldana (Ironjoe)
New member Username: Ironjoe Post Number: 35 Registered: 12-2001 |
MAN,That was AWESOME I drooled for about a minute a picture, | ||
| David Bob� Jr. (Supraoz)
Junior Member Username: Supraoz Post Number: 53 Registered: 9-2001 |
The tech session and hospitality from both teams was excellent. I'll get the photos posted on the FOC website asap. | ||
| Paul Sloan (Sloan83qv)
Member Username: Sloan83qv Post Number: 272 Registered: 3-2001 |
I should mention that the private tour was arranged by FL. FOC's Barton Workman. If you live in FL and are not a member YOU SHOULD BE! this is a great club with lot's of events. www.focfloridaregion.com | ||
| Scott Anderson (Srandrsn)
Junior Member Username: Srandrsn Post Number: 91 Registered: 4-2001 |
The race was great. Sometimes being at the race you don't always know exactly whats going on but the 550 from Prodrive certainly seemed to have the speed to keep up with the factory corvettes, but must have lost a couple laps early, again hard to tell what happened when you don't have TV coverage but they had speed and looks like a lot of potential.. and the sound of that thing was awsome! | ||
| Bill Sawyer (Wsawyer)
New member Username: Wsawyer Post Number: 31 Registered: 2-2002 |
One of the Speedvision announcers mentioned that the factory Corvette team said they considered the ProDrive car to be their biggest competition at Sebring. if they were serious, that's a pretty strong indicator of the potential of the 550. | ||
| Martin (Miami348ts)
Intermediate Member Username: Miami348ts Post Number: 1599 Registered: 5-2001 |
Awesome Paul, God I wish I would have been able to make it. I will make arrangements for next year. Maybe we can rent a Motorhome from Miami and do what you German friends did, just camp out. Awesome. | ||
| Edwin F Herr lll (Letsgofst)
New member Username: Letsgofst Post Number: 46 Registered: 9-2001 |
Thanks Paul for some great pics and info. Just got back myself and indeed it was an awesome experience. Read somewhere that there were about 160,000 people there. The Audis were the class of the day. Ferraris not so good but imagine the Pro-Drive 550 team was happy with their performance. Even Didier Theys with the former 333SP chasis had an unfortunate incident which knocked him out on the first lap. Paul, I have a question. On your tour, was there any mention as to what Ferrari needs to do to be competitive in their class? Do they feel that the 550 has the potential to be competitive? Thanks again Paul for your insight. | ||
| Tim N (Timn88)
Member Username: Timn88 Post Number: 541 Registered: 6-2001 |
That 550 will be at the speedvision WC at lrp this spring. | ||
| Paul Sloan (Sloan83qv)
Member Username: Sloan83qv Post Number: 269 Registered: 3-2001 |
Just returned from Sebring and I must say there is nothing like sitting on grassy hillside (berm)on a cool FL. night watching this race with a group of friends (the AC.ed motor home on turn 1 was nice too). The sound of the Pro-drive 550 was like nothing else on the track......very Ferrari!!! This car has great possibilities, it will be a contender soon! | ||
| Frederick Klorczyk (Fjk)
New member Username: Fjk Post Number: 31 Registered: 12-2001 |
Great photos as I sit here watching on NASCARVISION... | ||
| Manu Sachdeva (Manu)
Junior Member Username: Manu Post Number: 70 Registered: 2-2002 |
Great Pics - thanks Paul. Forza Ferrari - both in Malaysia and at Sebring!!! | ||
| Paul Sloan (Sloan83qv)
Member Username: Sloan83qv Post Number: 267 Registered: 3-2001 |
More photo's - Non Ferrari (sorry) These are Audi 1 & 2 Cars , Saleen Engine and transaxle     | ||
| Edward G. Salla (350hpmondial)
New member Username: 350hpmondial Post Number: 46 Registered: 2-2002 |
Paul, thanks for the pics!! | ||
| Rob Lay (Rob328gts)
Board Administrator Username: Rob328gts Post Number: 1229 Registered: 12-2000 |
I plan on watching most of the 12 hours tomorrow. Go Ferrari !!! | ||
| Paul Sloan (Sloan83qv)
Member Username: Sloan83qv Post Number: 266 Registered: 3-2001 |
The only thing they use from orginal engine is Block, crankshaft, bare heads and engine is 6 liters not 5.5 pushing 600+ HP with restrictors. From body: Chasis,windshield and door handles everything else is custom.     | ||
| Matthew Jenson (Moab355)
New member Username: Moab355 Post Number: 25 Registered: 9-2001 |
Go FERRARI...They need all of the support we can muster....I hope they do really really well. The prodrive 550 is such a bitchin race car. How soon before they start using the 575 motor? | ||
| Paul Sloan (Sloan83qv)
Member Username: Sloan83qv Post Number: 265 Registered: 3-2001 |
More photo's     | ||
| Paul Sloan (Sloan83qv)
Member Username: Sloan83qv Post Number: 264 Registered: 3-2001 |
even more photo's 1- vintage 308 racer 2- Ferrari 550 Carbon Fiber Brake 3- Team Corvette    | ||
| Paul Sloan (Sloan83qv)
Member Username: Sloan83qv Post Number: 263 Registered: 3-2001 |
More photo's   | ||
| Paul Sloan (Sloan83qv)
Member Username: Sloan83qv Post Number: 262 Registered: 3-2001 |
Here are first set of photo's...more to follow     | ||
| Hubert Otlik (Hugh)
New member Username: Hugh Post Number: 25 Registered: 1-2002 |
Can't wait to see your pics! So, which 550 looks better in person the Prodrive or the Olive Garden? From the press release photos the Prodrive 550 looks a bit better. Also, is the Olive Garden team or the Prodrive team recieving any direct support from Ferrari? | ||
| Paul Sloan (Sloan83qv)
Member Username: Sloan83qv Post Number: 259 Registered: 3-2001 |
Just got back from Sebring (back over tomorrow) and David Bobe Jr and I got a private tour of the ProDrive 550 and the Olive garden 550. Let us take photos by the ton and speak with the key people including the CEO of Olive Garden. Will post photo's later tonight. |