Hi, Who says that the 456 is just a confortable grand tourer? It's quite a good handling car, even if not so agile as 355 and 360s. But can compete quite honorably with the other 12 cylinders Ferraris. With my 456 GT I won the Italian Ferrari Owner's slalom championship in the 12 cylinder class in 2000, 2001, 2003 and 2004. I have been 2nd to a 550 Maranello for just one point in 2002 and I am again on the lead in 2005. The championship is open to Ferrari owners and is divided into 3 classes: 12 cylinders modern (from 1990 on), 8 cylinders modern (from 1990 on) and historical ferraris (all cars before 1990). In the 12 cylinder class I compete with 512 TR and M, 456, 550, 575, 612, F50 and Enzo. Races are held rarely on circuit and mostly on squares or shopping malls parkings. Tracks are very narrow and tortous, keeping speed down (1st and 2nd gear, rarely 3rd), but granting great drifts and good show. The tracks are limited by cones, and every fallen cone costs 3 seconds of penalty, very hard to recover in races that are normally 2 heats od 3 or 4 laps for a total of less than 4 minutes. So, precision is everything and drifting is a must in the tight corners and hairpins. Hope you like it! http://www.fastdrive.org/download.php?view.645
You're right! But it's not easy to stay ahead of them, particularly the 575s. They are much faster on the straights! But it's double fun when you win on a less competitive car!
It is going on! Last Sunday .... another race .... another success, just 2 seconds ahead of a 430 in the overall classment! Not so bad ...