Old challenge cars don't retire!

Rob, I've got 6-12 355CH and 360CH owners up here in the Northeast that would LOOOOOOOOOOOVE to participate in something like this. But NASA is not very active uphere, AFAIK (Lime Rock, NHIS, Watkins Glen, Tremblant).

Man, I am envious. If you hear of anything going on up here, let us know!

(as an aside, what sizes/brands are the Grand Am slicks you get? I'm getting a set from Martin, assuming they fit.)

vty,

--Dennis

 

Rob,

I couldn't agree more. See my response in the other thread, but I think these cars would make for a great series.

This past wknd I had 8 hard HOT sessions, with zero problems, something I never did racing the Cobra. I did have some initial problems earlier this year, with the Ferrari, but they were no worse than any other race/track car. An electrical gremlin that turned out to be an air flow sensor and a broken ball joint.

The cars drive beautifully and they can be purchased fairly reasonably. Last wknd I ran fresh Pirellis, which are expensive, but you can save $100+ per tire by using one size larger than the Ferrari spec (Ferrari tax?).

As I wrote in the other thread, I think the one negative is going to be the cost of an engine, transmission, or majot shunt, which will be a LOT more than the AI and T1 Corvettes, Mustangs, Camaros that we run with.

I'm looking forward to the next race and trying to get some more cars out there.

See you at the races.

Mark McKenzie

 

Rob,

You are lucky to have A buddy to play with. I can't find a single Ferrari racer in So Cal. I never been in a race group with another Ferrari. If I'm lucky I'll see one guy in a DE. I hope the NASA thing turns on in So Cal.

 

Rob, I am VERY interested, but need to know dates as far in advance as possible as I would have to travel to get there. 360Ch modified with the Grand Am style wing and a splitter.

 

BigHead: if you've got 10 guys who are interested and willing to fly in, I'm sure we could get transport. I might be able to talk FoW into transport, if they're available. They have a very busy schedule.

 

Rob,

Do you think there's time to rally support for one of the two remaining 2005 events? Ferrarichat.com invitational??

I have potential conflicts both wknds, but could probably adjust my schedule if there was enough interest. There are at least 5 cars sitting ready to go in garages just in Texas alone...

I'll definitely try to make most of the 2006 races.

What do you think?

Mark

 

How much would a Ferrari race car be worth? I heard around 140K Swiss franks (100K USD) for a good condition 360 Challenge.

 

Rob: Do you see them coming down any further, or OTOH, do you think they'll ever rise in value?

Not asking because I want one and I'd like to make money off it, I want to know if they're still going to be affordable when I'm ready to go shopping.

Thanks!

 

How often do they brake? I.e. If I use one once a month for a track day, can I last a year without expensive repairs? Can I convert one for limited street use afterwards?

 

I run with the 355 and 360 Challenge cars all the time at the track. From my observations and talking extensively to the guys that drive them here's what I've gleaned.

The 360 is the fastest but not light years faster.

You can't do much of anything yourself to this car except break it or wreck it. Two years ago I saw 4 of them wrecked to the tune of $40K plus each at the track, two in the same day. They appear to be very safe in a crash but unstable at the limit for beginners. I don't think this is a good 1st track car. A lot of guys I know just pay the dealer to maintain it and transport it to and from the track. That's the only time they see the car. If you can afford it this seems like the way to go. They appear to me to be of a higher build quality than the 355's, maybe too high.

A lot of guys like the 355 a whole lot and as for myself I enjoyed the ride in that car a lot more than the 360 which I found too sterile, boring (as a passenger) and hot.

I agree with the part about the 355's being pretty tired by this point in time. I know of 2 guys that sold last year to avoid the engine/trans rebuild. That means someone else got stuck. So get one with proven fresh mechanicals.

It was pointed out to me by someone that Ferrari would be less than thrilled with the idea of a vintage 355 challenge as they probably would perceive it as detracting from their current challenge series. I think they(Ferrrari) would be wrong to think that way, different people involved, but I'm guessing that's how they'd see it. They probably wouldn't think too much of the people involved if that matters to anyone. I hope I'm wrong because I really like the idea.


Bob S.

 

There was a 1997 Challenge car "converted" to street use on ebay last week that said buy it now at 59K. All of the spares were there as well to convert back to track only. The seller said it could be registered to drive on the street...

95 was the last year of the title, now bill of sale. I have driven my 348 Challenge (formerly Jim Kenton's 96 348 Series Champion) over 20,000 miles in the last 1.5 years, with only a "drop gear" failure. Been stopped 5 times, one "dumb" incident on the way to Indy FCA and F1, (1728 miles that week), and several track events. Also Daytona 24 Rolex, Amelia Island Concours, VIR Track Day, Petit LeMans, ALMS at Road Atlanta, Ferrari Challenge at Road Atlanta, Roebling Road track day, www.tailofthedragon.com 4 times, and many other events. Carolina Trophy, Eurofest, and the French Quarter Classic should round out my year.

I paid 58K when I purchased it. Too much? I would have paid more for this experience. I am creating memories that will last my lifetime.

I love this car...

 

I have my first NASA race next weekend. Looking very forward to it. NASA just started in Florida last year and have gone strong since. They hooked up with a group PDC and came together with them. Maybe that is the way to look into the future up there especially if you have already a group of guys.

 

Rob:
I think that is a start. You have to start somewhere. Get 4-5 guys that commit to run your series. I would hook up through NASA and see if there is enough interest for them to group you with Porsche like the CHRA does.
I would not go out and sponsor an entire series. I would hook up and also get the credit through the series. Let me see how many guys will come to do CHRA in September and if there are some I will talk to them and to the organizer of CHRA and maybe we can splinter off a Porsche and Ferrari series that we can take to places in Florida and Texas and in between (Barber etc).

 

Rob,

If a lowly 348C can run I'd do it. There is no way I'd be competative but i'm out for fun anyway. I'm in Cali so questions I have are things like:
To be legal to race with NASA you need what? Race license other club like AROSC? or special NASA race school or skippy?

What have you guys been doing to get racecar transport. I have a tow rig but I would fly in to drive Texas, La. etc... You guys know people or are there other Cali racers to get in and share car transporter cost? You got any ideas of how that gets done with minimal pain?