Ferrari F430 Challenge

The F430 Challenge is a production-based race car built by Ferrari. The car is directly based on the standard F430 and uses the same 4.3L V8 engine. It was introduced at the 2005 Frankfurt Motor Show, and is built to compete in the Ferrari Challenge series, replacing the 360 Challenge in that regard.

Overview

The F430 Challenge is based completely on the road-going Ferrari F430. The engine has been left alone, and the body has received very few styling changes. The transmission is derived from Ferrari's Formula 1 program, and offers the same 150 ms shift times as in the standard F430. Fifth and sixth gears have been tweaked, as well as the final drive ratio, for the Challenge. Weight saving efforts have affected all areas of the car, the most noticeable of which being the cockpit. Inside, the F430 Challenge has no carpets, stereo, and the standard seats have been replaced with full racing seats, as well as the steering wheel being replaced with a racing version. The new wheel can be easily detached for easy access into and out of the car. It also has buttons for pit radio, and for interfacing with the digital instrument display. A full roll cage and racing harnesses are also present in the cockpit. The characteristics of the car have been retained from the standard gearbox's "Race" mode. Traction control is permanently disengaged, along with the stability system. The car does retain ABS and ASR though. The racing modifications are present in most all of the components, with the E-Differential being replaced by a mechanical one, and the suspension settings modified for racing.

Performance

The engine is the same 90° 4.3 liter V8 as in the standard F430. The output remains the same at 483 hp, as well as the torque at 343 ft-lbs. The engine is equipped with Double Overhead Camshafts and contains 4 valves per cylinder. The engine is, and always has been, naturally aspirated, meaning there is no turbocharger or supercharger. The engine is mounted behind the cockpit, and faces longitudinally (along the length of the car).

The transmission is the 6-speed, paddle operated, sequential manual found in the F430. The transmission uses Formula 1 technology and can shift gears in 150 ms. The brakes use carbon ceramic material, which is very resistant to brake fade. Both front and rear suspension use double wishbones and anti-roll bars. The exhaust system is updated for the Challenge car, placing the outlet ports higher in the back of the car. The back also includes a new grille to help with drawing heat out of the engine.web cite|url=http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/car/2446/Ferrari-F430-Challenge.html|title=Ferrari F430 Information Page|accessdate=2008-09-14|publisher=Ultimate Car Page]

Ferrari Challenge Car Lineage

The F430 Challenge is the current car in a line of Ferraris used in the Ferrari Challenge series. The lineage is as follows:

*348 Challenge
*F355 Challenge
*360 Challenge
*F430 Challenge

All the cars used in the series are track only. The 360 Challenge used in the series should not be confused with the 360 Challenge Stradale, which was a road-legal, track day oriented version of the 360, similar to the present day F430 Scuderia.

References

External links

* [http://www.ferraricorseclienti.com/fwe/events/corseclienti/home.jsp?language=en Ferrari Challenge Website]
* [http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/car/2446/Ferrari-F430-Challenge.html Ultimate Car Page Article]