Supercars - Ferrari - F430 Challenge
Ferrari F430 Challenge Review
Ferrari has also
reaffirmed the strong link between its GT
and sporting divisions with the new F430
Challenge which was specifically designed to
meet the expectations of its sportier
clients. The F430 Challenge retains the same
general look and 490 hp engine as the
road-going version. However, it also
incorporates a large number of significant
track-oriented modifications and a host of
new features not seen in the car currently
used in the series, the 360 Challenge, which
it joins on the track next season and
completely replaces in 2007.
An intensive series of development tests
held at Fiorano and other prestigious
circuits have honed the F430 Challenge’s
talents too. In fact, it offers a stunning
series of features sure to meet with the
approval of its drivers. As ever, the
transfer from Formula 1 is significant,
particularly with regard to the braking
system which uses carbon-ceramic material (CCM)
– a first for a Ferrari sports competition
car.
The electronic gearbox is also F1-derived
and works in exactly the same way as the one
used aboard the Grand Prix car. Thanks to a
sinterised two-plate clutch and specific
software, it also offers the same
gear-changing times as the road-going F430
(150 ms) in the much more extreme track
conditions. Fifth and sixth gear ratios have
also been modified with respect to the
road-going version as has the final drive
ration order to make the very most of the
engine on all the circuits where the F430
Challenge will race.
New 19’’ slick tyres were also developed
specifically by Pirelli and are designed to
comply with the very strict racing
regulations that demand endurance whilst
still delivering blistering performance.
The F430 Challenge boasts a kerb weight of
just 1,225 kg (excluding petrol). Weight has
been reduced in every area of the car, from
the engineering to the bodywork. Of
particular note are the Lexan® windscreen,
the all-carbon fibre intake plenum cover,
and the specific exhaust system. To ensure
that drivers get the full benefit of the
car’s sporty prowess on the track, the
E-Diff has been replaced by a mechanical
differential and the EBD has been replaced
with a mechanical system.
Similarly, the stability and traction
control is permanently disengaged and “race”
settings have been maintained on the gearbox
and engine management system, along with the
ABS and ASR, thus doing away with the
manettino switch. The ASR can be deactivated
by the driver at will.
The most notable of the other solutions
introduced in the new F430 Challenge is the
new steering wheel with a quick release
mechanism to make it easier to get into and
out of the car. The wheel is also equipped
with buttons for radio contact with the
pits, to set the pit lane speed and
interface with the new colour digital
instrument panel. The rear of the car is
characterised by a new exhaust system which
has high central tail pipes, and by the
modified grille which increases the
extraction of hot air from the rear of the
engine bay. The anti-roll bars, springs and
single-rate shocks have all been modified
for racing use too. The centre locking
wheels make wheel changes faster too as does
the fact that the car incorporates pneumatic
jacks.
