Ferrari 488GT debuts at Daytona 24 2016

I would sure like to go, The thought of trailering my 430 from NE ohio just says no. The 488 test drive may be my only option to drive the fcar on the high banks.....so...I would need the lapping pkg with no guarantee to drive. None of my friends are interested and/ or cant afford to attend. Still tossing it around.

 

sebring last year was very nice in club sebring, this actually seems better

 

I'll be there. My 488 time slot is 6:05 Friday.

 

The Ferrari hospitality in Turn 1 is the best place to see the 24 in all of Daytona. I believe the "price" this year is a good reduction from last year.

If you've been to Daytona for the 24 and don't have your own RV, having access is also "worth it" if it rains, is freezing cold and you want access to a bathroom (ha ha).

The lapping sessions should prove interesting, as the Daytona course is quite tricky....the banking, the bus stop and infield may seem easy but if you're going quickly...

If you attend, the Challenge paddock is at the OTHER end from Turn 1, but worth a walk down, I'm sure all the teams would welcome visitors (we will).

Only comment - looking over the entry list, it's unclear how many 488's (GTLM and GTD) will actually make it, I think most Ferrari teams will be running the 458 GTE and GT3 spec cars. Will have a better idea next week after the ROAR.

Last, if you have not made hotel plans, I'd do it, seems like (decent) places close to Daytona are long gone.

Happy New Year

 

all 3 Ferraris entered in GTLM are 488s. I know Risi and Scuderia Corsa have theirs in their shops. I'm not sure about SMP.

only 2 GTD Ferraris are entered, Spirit of Race 458 and Scuderia Corsa 488. Audi/Lambo have really taken over that class from Porsche/Ferrari.

(entry list is for the Roar, not the 24 itself, but a reasonable proxy)

http://www.imsa.com/sites/default/files/races/entry_lists/2016%20ROAR%20Pre-Event%20Provisional%20Entry%20List%2012-30_v2.pdf

 

I just ordered my pass, the service center is now closed so I certainly hope they can get me in the 488. I also will be there on sat 1/10 with a couple of locals to check things out. Looking forward to to it!!! thanks for the info guys.

 

a bit of the latest gossip. I say that only because Daytona, being so early in the year, often has late changes to entrants, drivers, and the cars themselves....

 

SMP racing's brand new 488GT2 is ready for the 24 hrs of Daytona
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Ford Chip Ganassi Racing today revealed that Marino Franchitti, Stefan Mücke, Olivier Pla and Andy Priaulx have been selected to race in the 2016 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) at the wheel of the all-new Ford GT.

The all-new Ford GT is the pinnacle of Ford innovation in aerodynamics and lightweight carbon fibre construction. It is powered by a new twin-turbo Ford EcoBoost V6 engine, the most powerful EcoBoost production engine ever.
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Sure about that? I'm looking at the Risi live cams in their race shop now and all I see is the 458GT.

 

am I sure? no. the word going around before Christmas was that Risi sent their engineers to Italy to collect the car and participate in a test right after Thanksgiving and they'd have the car in the shop mid-December.

488 is on the entry list for the Roar...a lot of teams have already left for Daytona so maybe the new car is on the truck and the 458 is still in the shop? we'll find out Friday I guess.

 

That's a pretty decent driver line up, I must say. And that profile view of the GT looks... well... Wow.

Can't wait to see it on track this weekend at the Roar. Even though (cough, cough) the Ferrari is by far the superior machine (harrumph!). Everyone knows that.

However, sandbagging at test sessions is a time honored part of racing. Saturday afternoon January 30 is when the gloves come off. I'm more excited for this than a kid waiting for Christmas.

 

I ended up with the 6:15. I am going down this weekend and plan on getting to the track on Saturday, maybe fried late afternoon or evening.

 

Love it.

 

That is one sweet ride! I love the colors the most. The spoiler on the back is very eye catching. I wish I could see that sucker run in person.

 

update: Risi is missing the Roar, will be at the 24 with the 488. Fisichella, Vilander Confirmed at Risi for Full Season - Sportscar365

Scuderia Corsa and SMP are on site at Daytona with their 488s. PHOTOS: Roar Before 24 Thursday Gallery - Sportscar365

 

Is there a online Timing of the Roar?
Thanks for helping

 

http://scoring.imsa.com

or

https://livescoring.us/2016/imsa00/scoring.php

 

Great, thank you!!!

 

FoH did as well ... I received an e-mail from them this past Thursday.

I am 50-50 for Daytona but 100% for COTA in May.

 

Doesn't look good for the 488

 

Does anyone know the chassis number of the 458 GTD #51?
Thanks for helping