Pre-Season Lunch

The last 10 days have seen the pre-season FF Corse lunch on Sunday February 28th , followed by a 2 day event at Jerez and the first Silverstone track-day – a busy start to the year, which is set to only get even busier as the track-day and race season unfolds.

Le Manoir in Oxfordshire made a fantastic setting for second pre-season lunch and the event was attended by 30 FF Corse members and guests – the maximum number possible in their private dining facility. The lunch and service was excellent as expected and it was great to see so many old and new faces.

FF Corse member Russ Nathan commented “ FF Corse has truly established itself and the lunch marked its coming of age”

All guests received copies of the FF Corse hardback year books featuring photographs of FF Corse drivers and cars from events and races throughout 2010. Copies of the books will also be sent out this week to members and drivers who were unable to join us at Le Manoir.

Jerez

Straight from Le Manoir the previous day, FF Corse members flew down to Jerez for some pre-season testing in Southern Spain. The weather for the event was excellent and with only a handful of cars in attendance, the track space and time provided the perfect opportunity to blow away winter cob-webs. The good conditions also enabled the drivers and team to test a series of new development parts on the cars.

FF Corse is considering a return to Jerez next year and has already provisionally made enquiries and hopes to again run another similar event.

Next FF Corse Events

We have lots of exciting events planned this year both with the racing and the track-days. The first GT race meeting at Silverstone has already attracted a confirmed four drivers and the GT Trophy and Ferrari Open events look to be equally as well supported.

The next events we have coming up are as follows

UK Track-days (Apr – May)

April 5th : Oulton Park April 11th : Silverstone (Ferrari OC) April 12th : Donington April 18 th : Silverstone GP

 

General Testing (Race-licence required)

March 29th : Donington April 15th : Silverstone April 22nd : Snetterton 300 (new circuit layout) April 29th : Silverstone

 

Races

April 2nd & 3rd : Donington (GT Trophy – 2hr race) April 16th & 17th : Silverstone GP (GT Cup) April 30th : Silverstone Nat (Ferrari Open)

 

We also still have a place available on the Race-Ready Intensive course at Silverstone on April 20 th & 21 st . The activity involves a Caterham car-control course, an overnight stay at Whittlebury Hall, an intensive driving course on the Monday and successful participants receive an ARDS National B race licence at the end of the course.

For further information or to book any of the events please email aodowd@ffcorse.com or contact Andy O’Dowd on 01327 857601.

Last-Gasp Victory

FF Corse drivers Leon Price and Rob Barff won the first GT Trophy race of the season at Donington Park this weekend. The winning car started from the outside of the front row and snatched the lead in the 2 hour race with just over a lap remaining to seal a dramatic last minute victory for FF Corse .

The car started the race after qualifying alongside the FF Corse team mates Gary Eastwood and Ryan Lewis on the all FF Corse dominated front-row.

Gary Eastwood started from pole position and ran at the head of the field for the first 54 minutes, despite coming under heavy pressure from a more powerful Porsche. After their pitstop they resumed in second position with Ryan Lewis chasing and catching the now leading Porsche. Unfortunately driveshaft failure after 1hr20 minutes put paid to any potential victory.

Meanwhile, the Leon Price/Rob Barff car had been recovering from a delayed first-lap and Leon spent his driving stint charging back up the order before handing over to Rob Barff at 58 minutes. Having gambled at the pitstop not to change rear tyres Rob Barff proceeded to use the FF Corse car to hunt down the leading cars and was quickly up to second place and catching the Porsche.

With a lap and a half remaining Rob swept past the Porsche at the back of the circuit and held on to take the overall and class victory in the close fought exchange.

The next GT Trophy encounter is at Snetterton on May 2nd.

Successful debut for Ferrari 458 Challenge car

FF Corse ran the new Ferrari 458 Challenge at Oulton Park for the first time on Tuesday. The car, which was running alongside a F430 Challenge was an instant hit and drew lots of admiring attention from up and down the pit lane.

The latest one-make series spec car from Ferrari was described by the owner as a fantastic car and a considerable step forward from the Ferrari F430 Challenge. The car is considerably more advanced than the previous Challenge model and comes with a multi-stage traction control system – for dry and wet settings, as well as air-conditioning as standard.

The 4.5L V8 car produces 562 BHP and is fitted with a Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT) gearbox producing a smooth and seamless gearchange.

FF Corse technicians have recently undertaken a full technical training programme for the Ferrari 458 Challenge and are now fully versed in the latest Ferrari racing products.

Ferrari F430 Challenge at Oulton Park on Tuesday

Ferrari Challenge Classifieds

FF Corse have a number of Ferrari Challenge cars for sale, including a Championship winning 360 Challenge, which was driven by Michael Schumacher in the race of Champions, a GT Cup winning F430 Challenge and a brand new 458 Challenge.

Ferrari 360 Challenge – £49,950

Race of Champions Car – As driven by Michael Schumacher and Jean Alesi! Ferrari Eurpoean Challenge Championship Winning Car Maintained by Ferrari GB Motorsport and FF Corse for the last 6 years Service history and set-up information available.

 

Ferrari 430 Challenge – POA

A choice of 3 cars, including one GT Cup winning car and a low mileage example which has never been raced.

 

Ferrari 458 Challenge – POA

A unique opportunity to own a Ferrari 458 Challenge. The car is available immediately for track-days or racing.

 

For more information on the cars for sale please contact Anthony Cheshire on 07768 384079, or email acheshire@ffcorse.com

GT Cup

The first round of the 2011 GT Cup Championship takes place this weekend at Silverstone on the new Grand Prix circuit and FF Corse hope to start the year as it finished 2010 – ahead of the field.

FF Corse is hoping for success with their team of 4 drivers in the modified Ferrari F430 Challenge cars. Practice and qualifying takes place on Saturday with 2x 25 minute races on Sunday. FF Corse members and guests are, as always, welcome to attend and visit the FF Corse pit garage.

Saturday 16th April: 09h35 – 09h55: Practice 1 15h30 – 15h50: Practice 2 17h10 – 17h30: Qualifying

Sunday 18th April: 11h50 – 12h15: Race 1 16h35 – 17h00: Race 2

Drivers (#8) Gary Eastwood (#28) Toby Tarrant-Willis (#49) Rupert Martin (#88) Leon Price

For further information and details on events please contact Anthony Cheshire on 07768 384079, or email acheshire@ffcorse.com

Ferrari Owners Club: Silverstone – April 11 th

FF Corse again made a big impact at the annual Ferrari Owners track-day at Silverstone, running a total of 6 cars on the day for members. The cars included five Challenge cars and Russ Nathan in his stunning new Ferrari 458 Italia. After lunch the delivery of a stunning new 458 Challenge created a great deal of interest within the FF Corse pit garage.

Donington Park– April 12th

The following day after Silverstone FF Corse drivers were again back on-track, this time at Donington Park for a track-day. FF Corse had four different Ferrari cars at the event including the first time out for 4 years for a Ferrari 355 Challenge and rare outing for a Ferrari F40.

Ferrari 355 Challenge in action

Ferrari F430 Challenge & Ferrari F40 in the pits

Upcoming Track-Day Events

Silverstone: April 18 th Oulton Park (Ferrari Owners): May 10th Silverstone: May 30 th Snetterton: June 15 th Goodwood: June 21 st – FF Corse exclusive Spa-Franchorchamps: June 28 th & 29 th

For further information or to book any of the events please email aodowd@ffcorse.com or contact Andy O’Dowd on 01327 857601.

GT Cup: Silverstone – April 16th & 17th

FF Corse finished on the podium in both races of the GT cup at the weekend with Gary Eastwood finishing an excellent 2nd in race one and Leon Price taking a strong 3rd position in race two.

The unluckiest driver was Toby Tarrant-Willis, who was making his Ferrari race debut with FF Corse. Despite an excellent qualifying position and running as high as 2nd place in race two, Toby failed to finish either race due to an unavoidable collision in race one and a puncture whilst looking good for a strong podium in race.

Rupert Martin in the newly resplendent Yellow Dextra colours ran well all weekend and with improving lap times looked good for a strong result in race two before being spun round by a competitor, dropping him down the order.

The next race GT Cup race is at Oulton Park on May 14th.

For further information please email acheshire@ffcorse.com or contact Anthony Cheshire on 01327 857601.

FF Corse take delivery of Ferrari 458 Italia GT3 at Monza

FF Corse took delivery at Monza yesterday of the new Ferrari 458 Italia GT3. The car, driven by Leon Price and Rob Barff, is scheduled to make its debut in the GT Trophy race at Snetterton next week (May 2nd).

FF Corse technicians have spent the last few days finishing the preparation and build of the car in Italy at Michelotto as well as undergoing a technical training programme. After an initial installation by ex-F1 driver and factory Ferrari driver Gianmaria Bruni, the stunning new car completed a successful shakedown test around the famous Italian circuit.

The limited edition FIA homologated car has been designed and built by the factory Ferrari tuners, Michelotto. Features include revised carbon fibre bodywork and suspension, as well as front and rear aero and it is also fitted with a racing sequential gearbox and pneumatic paddle shift.

For further information please email acheshire@ffcorse.com or contact Anthony Cheshire on 01327 857601.

Silverstone Ferrari Open

FF Corse had a very successful weekend culminating in a Class win at Silverstone in the Ferrari Open Series and a debut victory for the new Ferrari 458 GT3 at Snetterton.

The FF Corse pit garage

 

The Ferrari Open series took place on Saturday at Silverstone in bright sunny conditions and with FF Corse entries for Richard Bramham, Robert Macfarlane, Cliff Fox and Leon Price.

FF Corse drivers looking relaxed

 

Leon qualified on pole position for the class, ahead of some of the newer, more powerful Ferrari 458 Challenge cars. In the race he battled hard with the 458 Challenge cars and eventually finished second overall, winning the class. Cliff Fox was the next FF Corse driver home, having driven a drama free race in his Ferrari 430 GT3. Richard Bramham made an excellent race debut in his Ferrari F430 and also battled with the 458 Challenge cars before a mid-race spin lost him some time and places. Last-time-out winner Robert Macfarlane drove very well to record another class podium with second overall in the 360 Challenge class.

Robert Macfarlane’s Ferrari 360 Challenge

 

The next Ferrari Open Series race takes place later this month at Donington on May 28th & 29th.

Debut Win For Ferrari 458 GT3

FF Corse drivers cross the finish line in formation

Leon price rounded of an excellent bank holiday weekend with his second win, this time driving the brand new Ferrari 458 GT3 in the GT Trophy race at Snetterton.

Happy drivers on the podium

 

Furthermore the Leon Price/Rob Barff entry was followed home in the 2 hour combined race by Paul McNeilly and Jamie Stanley in the older Ferrari 430 GT3 to record a historic 1st & 2nd overall for the FF Corse team and the drivers even managed to cross the line at the end of the race in a “Le Mans” style formation finish.

Ferrari Motorsport Paintings

FF Corse have been offered two original Dexter Brown Ferrari 512 original paintings. The paintings by renowned motorsport artist Dexter Brown are executed in gouache on board and both signed by the artist.

The # 16 Ferrari 512 is the David Piper entered car for the 1971 Le mans 24 hour race and driven by Chris Craft and David Weir to 4th.place overall.

The image size is 30cm x 21cm and it will be supplied framed. The overall framed item will be approximately 46cm x 37cm. The price is £2450.00

The # 6 Ferrari is the 1971 Scuderia Fillipinetti entered machine driven by Corrado Manfredini and Giancarlo Gagliardi which unfortunately failed to finish. The sister, # 7 machine was driven by Mike Parkes and Henri Pescarolo but also failed to finish. The image size is very similar to the above as will be final framed size. The price is £2750.00, or £4,950.00 for the pair

For further information please email acheshire@ffcorse.com or contact Anthony Cheshire on 01327 857601.

New FF Corse Performance Products

FF Corse is constantly looking to develop and improve the performance on the cars and in line with this there is a new release of performance parts for the Ferrari 430 & 458 Challenge.

Ferrari F430 Challenge: Carbon-Fibre Front Aero dive-planes

The front dive planes have been developed in accordance with GT Cup and Ferrari Open regulations. The update parts affix directly onto the bumper and provide additional aerodynamic front grip on mid-high speed corners of the Ferrari F430 Challenge. We are having an initial batch of sets built and additional sets will be built to order.

£610.00 pair +VAT (10% discount available to FF Corse members)

Ferrari 458 Challenge: Twin Exhaust Silencer (under 105db)

We now have an option for a repackable twin exhaust silencer system for the Ferrari 458 Challenge. The system is capable of running safely under 105db on track-days and race meetings and is a direct replacement for the standard Challenge exhaust system.

£3317.00+VAT (10% discount available to FF Corse members)

For further information please email acheshire@ffcorse.com or contact Anthony Cheshire on 01327 857601.

Two Podiums for FF Corse at Oulton Park

FF Corse driver Toby Tarrant-Willis finished both GT Cup races at Oulton Park on the podium at the weekend. The result is Toby’s first podium finish in the Ferrari F430 Challenge GTC and comes after suffering a puncture at Silverstone whilst running in second place.

FF Corse team mate Rupert Martin also had successful races having lost out in qualifying to a shortened session. He achieved his best result in race two, finishing 9 th overall from a starting position of 15th on the grid. Leon Price & Gary Eastwood suffered a more frustrating weekend. Gary was struck down by illness and was unable to attend the race meeting altogether. Leon meanwhile showed very well in testing on Friday, but unfortunately his car was damaged heavily in a qualifying accident on Saturday morning and he was unable to take the start for either races. FF Corse now faces a battle to get the car ready for the next GT round at Brands Hatch on June 4th & 5th.

Ferrari Owners Club: Oulton Park -May 10th

FF Corse made another visit to Oulton Park with the Ferrari Owners Club track day prior to the GT Cup event the same week. A numbers of FF Corsedrivers were in attendance, including Rupert martin who took the opportunity to get some extra testing before the race meeting.

For further information please email acheshire@ffcorse.com or contact Anthony Cheshire on 01327 857601.

FF Corse Members Track Day – Goodwood: June 21 st , 2011

The FF Corse track day takes place at Goodwood on June 21 st . The exclusive FF Corse event takes place on the historic 2.4mile West Sussex racing circuit and has now become a regular in the calendar. Accommodation can be arranged as part of the package and an informal Club dinner is being held at the hotel the night before.

All members and their guests are welcome to attend and we look forward to seeing you there. Places are still available and for further information please contact Andy O’Dowd on 01327 857601 or email aodowd@ffcorse.com .