Challenge car for tracking

Have any of you had experience in purchasing a challenge car for recreational tracking?
What are the pitfalls, what technical support is needed if any?

 

You need the VCI computer, air tank to lift the car and tools to remove the tires. It is to much car for a track day. You need support.

 

Gatorgreg thank you for responding,
I found Sears Point Racing Club online, located at Sonoma Raceway, they have mechanic support, garaging facility etc.
for club type tracking. Is that adequate support for a challenge car?

 

*** I am not a Challenge Car expert by any stretch of the imagination***
However, from what I have read and owners I have spoken to, it seems there is a difference between models in terms of useability by the average Joe. Are you looking more on the 348/355 end or the 458/488 end of the spectrum? A more specific question might elicit a more helpful answer. There are Challenge owners on this site.

 

My interest is in a 458 Challenge car, not necessarily the EVO.

 

Trust me. You need to find someone qualified,to run the car. You will pay for it one way another. I know from experience. Find a good independent shop racing Ferrari’s not Porsche’s with the VCI computer.
I am sure someone will post that you can run the car without the computer, but to be honest with you the car is dangerous without it.

 

The Evo kit is safer. It’s more stable at speed. Another tip run the factory tires. The 458 is an incredibly fast machine which was design around the factory tires.

 

Greg, who's helping you run your car? I'm up the coast in Tampa and I'd like a good recommendation for a shop familiar with 458 Evo...

 

What a s the Vci computer?

 

Jam1, My car is with Speedworks. 1-407-688-1120 or [email protected].
Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

The System Diagnosis SDX is an apparatus able to enclose in a single system the three diagnostic systems produced by Ferrari SpA (SD1 + SD2 SD3 +) for the electronic assistance of the cars (equipped with a diagnostic system) to the model 430 Scuderia.

 

Oh SDx...never heard it called vci

 

VCi is the version for the Challenge car. I run a car, primarily for track days. You will need to have a race shop or dealer that can help with the occasional odd thing, but it is doable for a mechanically adept owner.


I have nitrogen tanks, a lift in my garage, a closed trailer and dry break cans to fuel the car. The car is more work than a typical track car, but certainly doable.

I’m running the car on race gas and ceramic brakes. The car is very fast, and the costs are commensurate with the speed.

Your biggest issue is that you will most likely be the fastest car out there on a track day, so finding people to play with is hard...look for GT3 cup cars and the like...

Best,

Ron

 

Is VCI a box like an SD2? Is it software on a laptop? Used SD's are like $20k. Can a normal person buy the VCI for the challenge car at normal people prices? Why VCI instead of SD? Does VCI have limited function like no CAN line HVAC parameters? Or does VCI allow ECU "tuning" for say different race class intake inlet restrictors?

 

VCi is a device plus software on laptop. It gives access to the various ecus via the obd port, and allows maintenance, troubleshooting and logging etc. as far as prices....it’s a Ferrari product...somplan accordingly.

 

I paid $11K for the VCI. It requires Ferrari updates.

 

Image Unavailable, Please Login I would think you’d have to pick events with open passing not BS point by passing. You loose the flow.

I’m not going to do hardly any events with my Scud due to not being able to keep the flow going.

 

Alan J's old car.

 

fraction of what SDx costs. What does VCI computer do VS. SDX ? Sounds like a bargin at 11K

 

love that livery!

 

I have support for my Challenge car but I know guys that run their own. As rlips said, it's doable with the right tools and equipment and a solid shop to support the car for things you can't do. Ping joeyung on here; he has lots of great info on self-supporting a 458 EVO. Where are you located? There are several shops out there that support Challenge cars.

 

Carl,

VCI stands for Vehicle Communication Interface, it is an interface that usually plugs into the OBDII connector and then communicates (usually via bluetooth) to a base station (many times a laptop) that runs the ecu diagnostic software. It is pretty much the standard now for diagnostic computers. The latest Ferrari diagnostic computer called the DEIS uses a VCI, Leonardo/Galileo uses a VCI, the SDX uses a VCI.

What Greg is calling a VCI is really called a Challenge Tester and its uses a VCI setup. Ever since the 430, Challenge cars have had their own designated computer that Ferrari has made by Waycon. It only has software for doing that specific model, but its purpose is to allow Challenge teams to purchase a less expense tool for use only with specific model Challenge cars.

Matt

 

Ahhhh....makes so much more sense! So Ferrari is trying to basically do their own
Kludged Bosch Motorsports integration? So the Vci is the link between laptop software like Bosch racecon and Windrab software to see manage Bosch Motorsports ecus. Can the Ferrari deis do things like the Bosch change tire diameters for traction control and see fuel consumption/lap and stuff like real Bosch Motorsports ecus?

Does the 458 and later have switchable abs and traction control settings to refine on specific tracks or wet weather like Bosch? Is the waycon software free download like Bosch for challenge owners or another fee?

 

why did Ferrari change the challenge car ethos from 348 and 355 that were stock and just lightened enough to make up for the extra safety equipment? idea was to prove how much performance the road cars have that they can actually be raced. got further afield with 360 and 430 while 458 and 488 are pure race cars that require a pro team to run. just go back to the beginning, strip out a tributo, add safety equip, race pads and align it to run on slicks. its not like anyone goes to spectate these races so don't need to put on a show. Ferrari has gt3 cars for the pros.

 

Challenge racing evolved into Rich Guy racing.

Although I know F355 challenge drivers who had their engines rebuilt every race....