There are different versions of the 458 available and being released i.e.: 458 Italia, 458 Spider, most likely a 458 ‘’Scuderia’’ version, 458 Challenge, 458 GT2, 458 GT3 and now a 458 Grand-Am....
Ferrari and its out-of-house tuning specialist Michelotto have produced a Grand-Am racer based on its FIA GT3-spec 458. The first car has run and should test in the United States for the first time in March.
"We said to Ferrari that they had guys running in the Ferrari Challenge which Grand-Am sanctions, but when those drivers want to move up to the Rolex Series, they have to buy a Porsche," said Grand-Am managing director of competition Mark Raffauf. "So why don't you build a car for them?’’ It's marketing common sense, because they already have the customers.
"This will be a turnkey car. It will show up in a box, you'll put numbers on it and go racing."
The new car will be the first factory-sanctioned Ferrari to race in Grand-Am under its current GT rules. The Ferrari F430s that ran in the series in past years have been Ferrari Challenge-based cars developed by private teams.
Raffauf said there will be open tests for potential customers in March and that if one of the six teams showing interest signs up, the first 458 Italia could race at the Barber Motorsports Park Grand-Am event in April.
No price has been announced for the Grand-Am 458. Raffauf said it will cost more than Porsche's latest 911 GT3 Cup but insisted it will be "accessible."
The Ferrari could lead an influx of GT3-based cars into Grand-Am. Raffauf confirmed that two more manufacturers, Audi and Mercedes-Benz, are evaluating Grand-Am projects.
Ferrari and its out-of-house tuning specialist Michelotto have produced a Grand-Am racer based on its FIA GT3-spec 458. The first car has run and should test in the United States for the first time in March.
"We said to Ferrari that they had guys running in the Ferrari Challenge which Grand-Am sanctions, but when those drivers want to move up to the Rolex Series, they have to buy a Porsche," said Grand-Am managing director of competition Mark Raffauf. "So why don't you build a car for them?’’ It's marketing common sense, because they already have the customers.
"This will be a turnkey car. It will show up in a box, you'll put numbers on it and go racing."
The new car will be the first factory-sanctioned Ferrari to race in Grand-Am under its current GT rules. The Ferrari F430s that ran in the series in past years have been Ferrari Challenge-based cars developed by private teams.
Raffauf said there will be open tests for potential customers in March and that if one of the six teams showing interest signs up, the first 458 Italia could race at the Barber Motorsports Park Grand-Am event in April.
No price has been announced for the Grand-Am 458. Raffauf said it will cost more than Porsche's latest 911 GT3 Cup but insisted it will be "accessible."
The Ferrari could lead an influx of GT3-based cars into Grand-Am. Raffauf confirmed that two more manufacturers, Audi and Mercedes-Benz, are evaluating Grand-Am projects.