New USA Amateur Ferrari Racing Series

I have sold the RX8 and will now shift my focus to racing the 355 Challenge. I have owned it about 5 years now and raced several times with NASA. I didn't race it much this year or last because I was focused on SCCA National events in the RX8.

We have a small group of Challenge owners here in Texas that race with NASA. I really want to promote a national amateur Ferrari racing series utilizing NASA. I see my role as promoting the series and gathering competitors and sponsors. The event operation, schedule, and rules enforcement will be handled through the current infrastructure of NASA. The Challenge cars currently fit within the NASA National classes of Super Touring 1 & 2. 348 and 355 C in ST2 and 360 and 430 C in ST1.

I'm looking for input how to organize the series. Challenge cars will be able to compete at any NASA event around the country and qualify for NASA points, contingencies, and trophies for Super Touring. The Ferrari series would only be available to Ferraris and will be scored separately from NASA Super Touring.

First of all, let me summarize the givens for 2008…

• 348, 355, 360, and 430 Ferrari Challenge cars are welcome to race with NASA in the Super Touring classes if driver meets qualifications (racing license) and car passes tech.
• Other Ferrari race cars (vintage, 288/308 GT2, 333, F1) may be welcome to race with NASA if driver meets qualifications (racing license) and car passes tech.
• NASA organizes regional amateur racing in most areas of the country. Schedule, insurance, registration, tech, and on track sessions all administered by NASA.
• Ferraris will be grouped with other Super Touring cars and other classes. There will not be a Ferrari only race group.
• FerrariChat.com will be the first sponsor for this series providing cash contingencies for top finishers. Other sponsors will be welcome.
• (3) 355 Challenge drivers have already committed to participating in all or some of the 6 weekend (12-18 race) South-Central Region series.
  
  2008 NASA South-Central Region Schedule
  Feb. 9-10 at MSR Houston
  March 15-16 at MSR Cresson-
  Apr. 19-20 at TWS 2.9 Enduro
  June 21-22 at Hallet
  Aug. 2-3 at TWS 2.9
  Oct. 18-19 at Eagle's Canyon

What still needs to be done…

• Properly classify all Ferraris within NASA classes and allowed modifications.
• Define the various classes within our own Ferrari series. Most likely an Overall Class and then sub-classes similar to NASA structure.
• Get the word out to Ferrari race car owners and drivers.
• Gather sponsors for the series. Usually structured as cash, gift certificates, or items around number of participants.
• Create an online presence with series information.
• Form a Board of Directors and Regional representatives to promote the series regionally.

 

Street cars without the minimum safety mods would never ever be allowed to race door to door. However, you are perfectly free to modify a street car for racing. Not sure why you would take a 360 street car for $100k, strip it out, build a roll cage, add racing seats, add a fire system, 5 point harness and still be slower than a 360 C for $90k.

Most NASA regions do run Driver Education groups for street cars and we want to incorporate that. In Texas, NASA runs an educational and advanced group. You are allowed to run street cars under strict passing rules, but they do provide lap times. The Texas events we'll invite everyone out to run their car, watch the race, and hang out. Instructors are provided for DE groups if needed.

Entry costs are minimal compared to what you find for Ferrari run racing and track events. Typical NASA weekends cost $250-350.

 

Really thought about New Orleans, but there has been too much on the plate this year and I'm putting a new cage in the Challenge. Have not driven NPR, SCCA and NASA only did a couple races there.

There will be a class for everything that is brought out and they can race if they meet the driver licensing and car safety requirements. Lightning the car, advanced suspension development, or driveline work may or may not bump you into the next class. Most of that will be handled through NASA. No one wants someone with a bigger budget to win the race because of modifications vs. driving. Mark is as good of a driver or better than me, so he's a DOUBLE threat!

NASA is similar to the SCCA, but more of a business vs. the volunteer model of the SCCA. While SCCA spends 90% of the time talking and only 10% doing, NASA is more customer driven (the racer) and gets things done. No huge political hierarchies and battles among 50-60 year long members bragging about who has the lowest member number. NASA has been eating away more and more at SCCA providing a better racing weekend while also catering better to tracking street cars, import race cars, and regional racers.

Northern California has a very active NASA region…

January 19-20: Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca (HPDE only)
February 9-10: Infineon Raceway (Season opener!)
March 8-9 Thunderhill Raceway
April 12-13 Llihrednuht Raceway (Thunderhill Backwards!)
May 3-4 Infineon Raceway (very tentative)
June 7-8 Thunderhill Raceway
June 28-29 Infineon Raceway
August 9-10 Llihrednuht Raceway (Thunderhill Backwards!)
September 6-7 TBD
October 11-12 Thunderhill Raceway
October 25-26: Infineon Raceway (PRC Only)
November 7-9 Infineon Raceway (Open Track, HPDE, Legends World Finals)
December 5-7: Thunderhill Raceway (25 Hour)

More info: http://www.nasaproracing.com

 

Maybe over next few years, now that I'm not focused on the Runoffs chase I want to experience some different tracks. Laguna is the only cool track I've done outside of South Central. Some on my list are Road Atlanta, Barber, VIR, Lime Rock, and Road America.

 

Ferrari Challenge costs are upwards of $25k a weekend, a NASA weekend typical runs me around $1,500 at most and that's if I choose new tires.

Yes, those type of other makes are all eligible for ST1 and ST2. So we'll be scored for NASA overall with other cars, but only Ferraris for our own series. You could win two trophies for each race.

All you need to do is show up with a race Ferrari at one of the So Cal NASA events, they have an active region. We need regional reps in each area to promote the series and get more than a couple cars out. The good thing is the track will already be full with other makes so the racing will be fun from day 1, but wouldn't it be cool to have 5-10+ Ferraris going at it too.

 

The official information is starting to be posted...

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=127

 

No, that is just my mistake, everyone should be able to see it. I wondered why no one was viewing it. I will fix this weekend.

430 C is such a great car. Are you doing any Challenge Series or will just track and NASA? The 430 C should fit in ST1 and race all the SCCA BP cars like C6 Z06, Viper, and heavily modified C5's like Kevin Mixon. Or plans to just race the 355 C with NASA?

I am working with NASA and will have final clarifications on where the Ferraris fit, but most likely 360 and 430 in ST1 and 348 and 355 in ST2.