Anyone track raced a 458 Spider

... were you required to put in roll cages, etc., or does the folding hard top suffice? Searches didn't turn up anything.

Considering upgrading from my 430 Spider and would like something fully trackable...

Thank you!

 

Get a coupe

Plenty of reports of the Spider having cowl shake. It feels a little softer too. Have you given the 430 scuderia a look? Good track car

 

I tracked my 458 spider. Depends on the type of track event. with the top up it counts as a hard top. I didn't have a roll cage but i did buy a helmet. It does feel a bit softer than the 458 coupe. I think its mainly from the . Haven't noticed cowl shake unless there is some kind of bump on the turn.

 

Surely for track use it is the built in roll bars that are the important feature not the folding hard top since 430 spiders are also fine on track - cars with built in roll bars that can support the car in the case of a roll are allowed and those with cosmetic only roll bars are not.

 

Thank you all, think I'll go for it!

 

Ive got a spider, tracked it without any issues. Top up, of course!

 

word to the wise:
your warranty may be voided if the car is tracked!

 

No!
Ferrari themselves organises owner track days - there are no warranty issues.

 

frequent "red line events" could potentially harm an engine.
i understand the vehicle computer logs these occurrences.

 

For the OP - if you are going to do occasional "track days" (not real racing), you can and should enjoy the car.

Different track day organizers have different rules. Generally speaking, convertible cars are very limited. For example, they can only run in slower run groups, they must pass a "broomstick test" (windshield frame to rear rigid structure must be higher than driver's head). True convertibles, even with pop-up roll bars (eg. Cali) do not meet the requirements of most track day organizers. IMHO is the US, 458 Spiders are generally welcome. Having a metal but removable/retractable roof is often good enough for some organizers, but I've seen it vary. Short version - you should be good, but check with the organizer.

The cars are very strong, aside from chewing up tires and brakes/pads, the cars are robust when used on track if you maintain them and have them checked over before/during/after.

I have many friends who track their road cars with zero impact on warranty eligibility; only exceptions have been to (real) damage (suspension beat up from hitting curbs) and people massively overcooking their brakes.

Last comment - philosophy: enjoying a Ferrari road car on the track is good fun. However, it is a road car, and doing 150mph without the safety of a cage/harness/seats/HANS is worth thinking about. Also, cowl shake aside, a Spider is much less rigid when it hits an object, so if you're going to track often and drive hard, might be worth considering a more specific vehicle.

 

+1...I tracked my Spider a couple of times and traded it in at dealer with some track damaged tires...no issues at all on value or warranty. And, while a slight notch below the Italia, it's plenty fun pushing it hard occasionally.