F430 Challenge

The F430 Challenge also made its Italian debut at the Bologna Motor Show. The new car is derived from the 8-cylinder road-going berlinetta and will take part in the Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli single-series championship from the 2006 season on.

The F430 Challenge retains the same general look and 490 hp engine as the roadgoing version. However, it also incorporates a large number of significant track-oriented modifications and a host of new features not seen in the car currently used in the series, the 360 Challenge, which it joins on the track next season and completely replaces in 2007.

The braking system uses carbon ceramic material (CCM) - a first for a Ferrari sports competition car. The electronic gearbox is also F1-derived and works in exactly the same way as the one used on the grand prix car. Thanks to a sintered twin-plate clutch and specific software, it also offers the same gear-changing times as the road-going F430 (150 ms). Fifth and sixth gear ratios have also been modified with respect to the road-going version, as has the final drive ratio, in order to make the most of the engine on all the circuits where the F430 Challenge will race. New 19" slick tyres ahve been developed specifically by Pirelli for the car.

The F430 Challenge boasts a kerb weight of just 1225 kg (excluding fuel). Weight has been reduced in every area of the car: of particular note are the Lexan® windscreen, the all-carbon fibre intake plenum cover, and specific exhaust system. To ensure that drivers extract the full benefit of the car's performance on the track, the E-Diff has been replaced by a mechanical differential and the EBD has been replaced with a mechanical system. Similarly, the stability control has been permanently disengaged, while the ASR can be switched off by the driver. All the other electronic systems have been set up in "race" mode, thus eliminating the need for the manettino switch. The ABS is always active.

Another important feature introduced in the F430 Challenge is the new steering wheel which has a quick release mechanism to provide easier access for drivers. The steering wheel also has buttons for communication with the pits, to set the pit lane speed and to interface with the new colour digital instrument panel. The rear of the car is characterised by the specific exhaust system which has high central tail pipes, and by the modified grille which increases the extraction of hot air from the rear of the engine bay. The anti-roll bars, springs and single-rate shocks have also been modified for racing use. The F430 Challenge also features new centre locking wheels and pneumatic air jacks for faster wheel changes in the pit lane.
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