Tim Pendergast, formerly of HSR, is starting up new historic and sports racing sanctioning body. Ferrari Challenge and Porsche Cup drivers may find the following of interest... BHW CHRA Announces Porsche/Ferrari Challenge Series Tampa, FL (July 7, 2005) CHRA today announced a new series they will include at all race events. The series will include classes for Porsche 911 and 993 Carrera Cup cars as well as Ferrari 348 and 355 Challenge cars and will pit the cars in head to head competition. "Historic racing's primary competitor group is the gentleman driver. The Ferrari Challenge and Porsche Carrera Cup were ultimately developed for this same group of drivers, but on a larger scale. This is a perfect match." said Steve Kibble, of CHRA. "There are quite a number of these cars sitting with no place to race. The cars are pretty evenly matched and should provide good, close, competitive racing, thus offering a great show." The cars will run to a set of rules that allows some modifications for parts no longer available as originally raced (example: the rear suspension sub-frames on the Ferrari 348 Challenge cars). Other parts available for modification need to be approved by CHRA and Technical Director Steve Kibble. Steve can be reached at: [email protected] or (770) 401-9243. Any competitors with cars that fit into any of these four classes, interested in running, should contact CHRA at: [email protected]. Information is also available on the CHRA we site: www.chra.cc. -End_ Cheers, Tim Pendergast Director Operations and Promotions Phone: 352-895-0760 [email protected] www.chra.cc <http://www.chra.cc>
Why? Because the Porsche Cup cars are faster race cars than the Ferraris? They will be in different classes, not unlike most racing as there are usually multiple classes of cars. Also, you are missing the point what vintage racing is about.
Rob, the first post says they will be in "...head to head competition..." If that is the case, neither the 348 nor 355 have a chance against a 911/993. And "vintage racing" is still about winning. Otherwise, it is just a vintage car parade or track event and not a RACE! And, it will be more that the Porsches handle better than that they are faster down the straights .
Based on their website, they'll be on the track at the same time, but running within their own classes. So the Ferraris will really be racing among themselves.
i would have assumed that the 964's would be classified w/ the 348's and 993's w/ 355's. is that not the case? they would seem appropriately matched...sort of. i think i do agree w/ frank that it is easier to race a 911 as it is the quintessential race platform and probably very developed cars will compete. it is simply more dollars to develop a f-car and there are not as many. still seems like a fun series.
"Are the owners of Challenge Cars and SuperCup cars really looking for a place to RACE them?" That's a good question. I've considered racing my 360C in the PBOC series in Florida. I'd race it in any 13/13 series. I don't know how many other owners are interested, though. I'd love to see a club racing series like PCA's, but doubt the demand exists to justiofy the effort. I hope these folks succeed.
Don't worry about Frank, he is half-empty on everything. HSR did this exact same thing the past few years. Dana/Speedmore participated, but they were the only Ferrari, I would have gone if I had the money as they visit some great tracks. There would be about a dozen Porsche cars and just Dana's lone Ferrari. We've started an informal Ferrari series with NASA Texas www.nasatx.com. They race 6 times a year (4 different tracks in 3 local states). Entry fee is $280 for the weekend. You can't beat that cost wise. $500-1,000 all costs A to Z vs. $2,000-4,000. I really want to visit some of these national tracks, but for the same transport money I will take my RX8 to Grand Am Cup.
Thats interesting...im curious to see how that pans out. A few years ago when I was actively racing in the Ferrari Challenge there was talk of running a 348/355 retro Challenge series here in North America. There was even talk of a 333sp series. But all that happened there was a very cool 333sp weekend event at Road America in 2001. Since I quit, I havent kept up on the news, so I have no idea of whats happened recently
Anyone have a post-2005 view of the track opportunities for 360 Challenge cars? Various clubs (NASA, Green Flag, Pro AutoSports, etc.) will allow them into the open track run groups, but are there any other opportunities being discussed? Being non-street legal, the market values have dropped well south of $100K.
yep, I just gave one. NASA. NASA runs club racing almost everywhere now. Challenge cars aren't legal in SCCA unless they redo their cage. Also looks like in Vintage besides HSR, they are now welcome in CHRA. I think that pretty much covers all opportunities in North America. Like I said, SCCA would be another choice with just a little cage work, but then you are competing with faster cars for a third of the price.
"Challenge cars aren't legal in SCCA unless they redo their cage." Rob, I think the 360s also are subject to some sort of intake restriction. Edit: yep, .06" flat steel plate with one 65mm hole.
What the hell are you smoking. A 993 Cup car is slower than a 355 Challenge with equal drivers. Hell a 355 C is only 2-3 seconds slower than a GA spec 996 Cup. 355 C's have run within 3 seconds at the Glen of the Cup cars (post 993) within 1 second of the fastest 996 Cup cars at Lime Rock. I had no problem keeping up with David Murry at Summit Point in my 355 C (he was in a customer's 996 Cup car). A 993 Cup car wil spank a 348 Challenge but it's at least a second or two behind a 355 C unless it's a very late spec 993 Cup with the 360 hp engine and there aren't many of those around and even then the 355 C would beat it by a whisker ! Regards, Jon P. Kofod www.flatoutracing.net
Yes....we are! I am signed up with CHRA as of today and look forward to Homestead in September. We will be renting 3 other 355 Challenge cars as arrive and drive for that weekend. So guys, whoever wants to, now is the time to day yes.
Well south of $100K???? Please get me some of those. The only one well below $100K is the one from Sportscar Company and that is a piece of sh*t. The engine is toast with warped block and otherwise a complete dog. That is what you get for $85,000.
dave was probably not hammering the customer car. he is a pretty good porsche hot shoe. i think a well sorted 993 sc is all a 355c wants. i don't think there was ever a series that the p did not win in any head to head. the supercup and ferrari challenge series were run on many of the same tracks in europe...does anyone have times to compare? they must be avail in some archives somewhere? that might be a better measure. it is not a good measure of how quick a gar is when it is just an open trck day or even an scca regional.
the only supercup and ferrari challenge lap times i found to compare were 2001 when they both ran as support races to the f1 event at indy henzler was fastest in the porsche @ 1:37.699 shovlin was quickest in the ferrari @ 1:39.882 the porsche 996's were generally faster than the 360's and likewise, the 993's were faster than the 355's i suspect similar deltas exist at monaco and other venues they shared.
Thanks for the info. The "needs work" statement from SSC sounded more like "needs open check book." If I decide not to buy the other cars I'm looking at, I'll PM with the info. Best regards, Roy
We'll see with our own eyes at the Homestead event in September. Should be fun. The PBOC is the Porsche BMW Owners Club which sanctions open racing featuring Porsches and BMWs naturally. They have an active chapter in Florida. BHW
www.pbocflorida.com I've just put a wing and splitter on my 360C, don't know how that affects eligibility for the few available series.