www.QV500.com - Ferrari F430 Part 3: F430 Challenge

 
At the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 2005, Ferrari introduced the F430 Challenge. Manufactured for use in the various Ferrari-only championships organised around the globe, the F430 will race alongside the 360 Challenge in 2006 before replacing it completely in 2007. Despite retaining the same general appearance and 483bhp engine as the road-going version, the F430 Challenge actually incorporates a large number of track modifications. Most importantly, weight has been reduced in every area, from the engineering to the bodywork whilst virtually all forms of electronic driver assistance that feature on the road car have also been removed.
   

Carbon-ceramic brake discs are fitted as standard, the anti-roll bars, springs and single-rate shocks all having been modified for racing use. Centre-locking wheels are shod with new 19-inch slicks developed specifically by Pirelli, the F430 being the first Challenge car to be equipped with built-in pneumatic jacks. The 4.3-litre 90° V8 engine remains largely untouched with 483bhp at 8500rpm, Ferrari’s mechanical alterations instead focusing primarily on the transmission and differential. The road cars advanced E-Diff system has been replaced by a mechanical differential, thus doing away with the steering wheel-mounted ‘Manettino’ toggle switch. Consequently, the stability and traction control, ABS and electronic brakeforce distribution (EBD) have all been junked. Available only with the F1-style paddle shift gearbox, this comes with new ratios for fifth and sixth along with a modified final drive ratio. There’s also a new carbon fibre intake plenum cover whilst instead of exiting via the openings at the base of each rear corner, the exhausts are now channelled centrally from halfway up the back bumper.
 
 
Visually the F430 Challenge is little changed, just a meshed rear grille being added to increase the extraction of hot air from the engine bay. Inside is where the most radical alterations can be found, the cockpit being comprehensively stripped to save as much weight as possible. The dash is covered with brushed alcantara instead of leather, the instrument binnacle housing a digital display to replace the analogue dials normally fitted. A three-spoke wheel is installed along with a racing bucket seat and harness, a beefy aluminium roll-cage and fire extinguishing system. Carpets, door trim, headlining and most of the sound insulation has also been discarded, the glass being replaced with lightweight Lexan. The quick-release steering wheel is equipped with a button for radio contact to the pits, another to set the pit lane speed limiter and a third to interface with the new full colour digital instrument panel. As a result of all these changes, weight has been reduced from 1450 to 1225kg (a saving of 225kg), equating to a Fiorano lap time around two seconds faster than the 360 Challenge.