2024 Ferrari Challenge at Laguna Seca
Published on . Event was held at Laguna Seca (WeatherTech Raceway) on .
#photo gallery #auto show #California #cars #event #Ferrari #Laguna Seca #Monterey #racecars
This is my third Ferrari event at Laguna Seca, and it’s been a while since the last one in 2018. 2017 Ferrari Challenge remains my favorite — in addition to Ferrari challenge racers, there was a fantastic exposition of beautiful Ferrari cars from the 50s and 60s: 250LM, 330 GT, 750 Monza Spyder by Scaglietti, as well as more modern crown jewels — F40 and F50.
The weather was gloomy on Saturday morning with typical fog and drizzle — everything was wet. I bet Challenge drivers had fun with morning qualifying sessions.
By noon, asphalt went dry, but the sun didn’t come out till 2 pm. And even then, it lasted for an hour or two, just enough to appreciate the difference it makes in pictures.
The general program of the day goes like this — there are three competition classes: Pirelli Trophy for pro drivers, Coppa Shell — for gentlemen and gentlewoman, followed by 488 Challenge Evo class.
Each class had a qualifying session, recon laps, and a 30-minute race.
This is the first year Pirelli Trophy and Coppa Shell run the brand new Ferrari 296, and they look the part. 296 features a 700hp 3.0L twin-turbo V6 without hybrid system of its road-legal counterpart.
Between Ferrari Challenge competition sessions run top brass Ferrari Clientelle and test drivers with F1, FXX, 499P Modificata, and GT racing and road cars. Pretty much a track day for those guys.
So, yes, there is a lot to watch and listen to on the race track! Original FXX and FXX-K Evo — naturally aspirated V12 cars sound amazing, and the F2002 F1 car (chassis number 228) buzzes like a swarm of angry bees. Its V10 sound is unmistakable and hard to forget.
I stood at the top of turn 6, smiling for 10 minutes straight, listening to them going up the hill. Those moments of my inner baby-boy being so excited and absolutely happy are so rare and powerful. Just that experience made the trip worthwhile.
Other than trackside, you have pits with sports team trailers, which are not that special and not very accessible — with huge semis and tents covering a few cars at a time.
Next to the Turn 3 pavilion was a main stage area with a parking lot filled with modern Ferrari cars, put on display by owners.
I spotted a Ferrari Mondial Cabriolet (very edge-shaped one) and a few _F355_s, with the rest being more modern, and a ton of new _296_s in wicked and lovely colors — dark green, gulf blue and emerald.
I like 296 — it looks like a McLaren mixed up with Lotus Emira.
Besides the main stage area, there wasn’t much else in terms of spectators activities — no display pavilions with old, rare, or old sports cars, unique souvenirs, or food vendors — just the usual Laguna Seca stuff, which is, honestly, good enough. One piece of advice, if I may — grab your lunch before the official lunch break.
This is the participants-first type of event, which makes perfect sense for the customer racing arrive and drive series.
This doesn’t diminish the appeal of the event, however. First, because Ferrari cars aren’t as ubiquitous as Porsche cars — even in California. To see so many prancing horses in one place is a treat!
This was the first time I saw FXX-K Evo and 499P, and, wow — they are mindbogglingly beautiful. Spaceship-like and yet so elegant and complex. 499P in black is the ultimate BatMobile.
Secondly, it’s not just road-legal stuff, but also mighty sports cars, which live and breathe fire and spit out used rubber a few meters up in the sky.
Lastly, it’s not packed with spectators or folks who are barely into cars or racing, and show up to have a great time. Of course, I all for having a great time, but personally I enjoy less crowded events more than headliners, like Rennsport Reunion or IMSA & Indycar.
So, despite the less-than-ideal weather and modest organization, it was a great day spent outdoors on the hill, with red cars rushing by. Athletic V6, V8, V10, and V12 songs still ringing in my ears.
See you there some day!
