From what I'm hearing (From a very good source who just recently visited the factory) there won't be one coming to the US anytime soon due the expense in meeting US regulations. There will however be some Euro models produced. You better pick up a 360CS if you can find one... Good luck!
I think Marshall is looking for a Challenge car not a Challenge Stradale. Marshall, if you find out anything interesting, let me know. I've been toying with the idea of getting an F430 Challenge as well.
He was referring to a Challenge car, not a 430CS, but the rest of your post is interesting. I don't have it in front of me, but another FChatter just got back from Monza and said just the opposite, that he had it on good authority there WOULD be a 430CS. So at this point we know nothing, which I guess is typical concerning new models. Found the post - from peterb, posted 10/28: Gary
A couple buddies of mine have been looking into the idea of running the Ferrari Challenge Series next year. They found out that you can order one from your local dealer at a cost of approx $245k. 6-8 month wait before delivery. Mike
The new 430 challenge is insane. The only complaint I know of is the cost of carbon ceramic brakes. Image Unavailable, Please Login
Have they picked a dealer team yet? They have talked to other drivers to hear what they pay for each race? each season?
At the risk of derailing the thread, for the ante of a 430 Challenge car and the per race costs, you might consider buying a seat in an ALMS or Grand American GT3 even GT2 Porsche (parish the thought!!!) and experience real racing!
No prob! However, I'm your neighbor up in Truckee and I already have a 360CS... Drop me a PM with your email... we'll go hit up RFR sometime and play around.
can we know stuff about it, i never heard of a 430C and would like to know what's the difference between the F430 and the F430C Hp? weight? price? more/less options than 430? any exterior difference? thanks in advance
Its looking like I can get a 430c and run the series in 07... not sure if I am pulling the trigger yet, but need to figure it out real quick. The racing will be fun, but even more fun will be having the car afterwards. I wanted to chat with someone about how "fragile" the car was, how it held up as a weekend warrior after a season, and get some general impresions of how it drives vs. 360c, 360cs, 430, etc. Curious also, after a season of racing hard, how much you had to reinvest in the car to get it solid/reliable for the weekend warrior or other club racing circuits. I knwo that there will be considerable up keep and repair, but just trying to guage what to expect.
Time is probably the biggest factor for me. But the strucutre of the Challenge is appealing too. The Challenge Series is a non-Pro spec/scrutaneered series... I think that IMSA GT3 is the most equivelant, and would also be way too much fun... I havn't ruled it out. The costs arn't too far apart actually... about equal. For a spec series that is arrive and drive and is quite often the headline event, the Challenge series is pretty good. It also has 12 races in 6 weekends for those of us still working and with families we'd rather not lose. IMSA GT3 is supported by some great teams, but at the end of the day, having spent all the cash, I'd really love to have the 430C in my garage. Running the ALMS or GrandAm is quite a step up in experience level and time investment. I hope to one day have the time and skill to run ALMS... just need a couple million dollar budget for the first couple of races.
Youre also going to be at Montreal as a start up race to the Forumula 1 race there. That alone was the most incredible experience ever...and I got to race there twice. The biggest problem with the cars is going to be crash damage. As you know the 360/430 are aluminum. What is considered a minor bump in a Porsche can turn out to be an insane repair with the Ferrari. NNO/ Carbon did a great article in the FML w/ driver Michael Louli a couple of months back that answer most of your questions. If you do the Challenge series, just prepare for the worse. Noone likes it happening, but accidents do occur.
Marshall, unfortunately, I can't answer your reliability questions because I am too new to the car. FWIW, I bought the car thinking I might do a couple Challenge races in '07 (if one offs are permitted), use it at track days and keep an eye on its eligibility in other series. You probably know that a modified 430C was raced at Miller Motorsports Park earlier this year - and in the amateur series realm, there's always NASA, which I assume would permit the car to run in its super unlimited class. Perhaps SCCA eventually will figure out how to emasculate the car sufficiently to homolgate it - restrictor plate + 1,000 lbs of ballast? Like you, I also have an eye on pro series such as Speed GT/Touring, etc., likely in a different marque. Even if I decide to participate in such a series, I think the 430C will be a perfect car for track days. In my very limited seat time in the car, I've found it to be superior in every way to the 360C I owned and tracked for roughly two years. As with the street cars, the 430's much improved shifting and better low end torque are immediately noticeable; the car seems to me more stable in high speed corners than did the 360C; it seems to respond to minor suspension adjustments. The car also has more of a "purpose built" feel to it than did the 360C, if that makes any sense. It's not just zoomy things like the ceramic brakes and air jacks, which to me have a whiff of marketing gimmick to them, but also the very competent Magneti Mareli data system, the structure of the cage and many other little touches that make it more of a proper race car than the 360C - just my opinion, of course. As for the 430C versus the 430 and 360CS - if you're a hardcore track day warrior and/or racer, I simply wouldn't bother with the street cars for track use: not as safe, not as fast. IMO the 430 and 360CS are wonderful cars, I've owned both - but they are street cars ... period. My experience with these cars has been shaped by running them through FoW, who participate in the Challenge series. I've simply entrusted them with the car, and done whatever maintenance and repairs they've recommended. The 360C seemed pretty reliable, in my experience; I am aware of a couple well used 360s with untouched engines. One of the Challenge teams could give you better info - call Arnie Poundstone at FoW, 703.478.3606, they have a number of drivers lined up for next year's Challenge series and I'm sure would love to have more. All in all, I think you buy a 430C or 360C because you want a Ferrari. As I'm sure you know, there are many, many other cars out there, from Porsches to Spec Miatas and on and on, that you could race in very competitive series. You could race a pro Formula Mazda (like Doug Peterson, a Challenge series driver), and measure yourself against both old guys and development drivers. But if it's Ferrari you want, and you want to go fast on track with other Ferraris, I think the 430C is a great choice.
I understand from my dealer that after you buy the car, the cost is about 25,000 dollars per weekend. But, what did you think would be cheap the ferrari part or the racing part.
Sounds right. It's been a few years since Ive raced in the series, but the breakdown should be roughly - $15k to the dealer $3-4k to FNA $1k+ for airfare/hotel $1k+ for extra tires above and beyond allocation $2k-6k for prep for any given weekend prior to arrival $$$ for whatever else. Private Gulfsteam, Prevost Motorhome, custom colored Vepsa..ect..ect..ect...ect..
Completely agree with your main point - if you want an Fcar on the track - 430C is the business. Tracking a CS or street car for anything more than a casual track day is not a great experience. 430C is much superior to 360C in my opinion. The shifting alone is a quantum leap. The ceramic brakes ensure a fade free experience albeit at a cost. Agree that the airjacks are a little much. I have a 430C but have not used it yet. My wife is pregnant and I am busy with Formula Renault. I have seen the 430C on the track it looks and sounds great - the main point for an Fcar. It seems to handle well and I am not aware of any particular reliability issues.
Yes one has talked to Ferrari of Seattle - This is what I heard only - $20k-30k a race and pay own personal expenses?? Obviously pay for the car.yourself You also need to be good enough to have them even want you on their team? If they have room of course for another car and driver? Mike
Well 430c is definately here. I ran on the track with one late last year. I was not impressed as I passed him in my lowly lightened no aero 348 which has about the same power to weight as a 355C. Later he got passed me and could not shake me off his tail. It must have been a driver issue because last week another 430C was kickin butt on everyone and got the formula mazda too. I basically saw the back end of the car as it passed me like a moving traffic cone! Our speed differentials were amazing. The driver is known and very good and perhaps if we swapped cars he would still beat my slow butt. All I can say is wow that 430c has got some potential. We were in the same race group and the 430c can find grip anywhere on the track and move right around me while I have the fast line...amazing.
I had a 1/8 scale 2 foot long model made of the F430 Challenge, see below. We are also taking custom orders for clients that want to have their own particular race car modelled - complete matching logos, interiors, wheels, etc. Image Unavailable, Please Login
