[Bart]

Where I live, rally racing is not a big thing. Most other places on our planet, racing in a rally is a very important thing. Therefore, I ask; why does not a Ferrari enter a rally? I am willing to drive mine. To me, the faster I can go, the better. I care not for the engine nor the chassis. Just get there first. I have driven in only one rally many years ago.

Do only little cars like the Subaru wrx model compete? Those are fun cars to race in my neighborhood. Top speed takes the trophy here. You are always accelerating until you win or the other guy slows. Distance is important.

My sweet thing only lost a race because the driver put it into the incorrect gear. It was the tuned version of my woman’s car. I lost it at 90 mph - bad. Nuts!

Please tell be why a Ferrari does not race in a rally?

 

[4kids3fish]

I think there were a couple of rally 308 GTBs long, long ago, but probably not factory ones.

Nowadays, rally cars have developed into extremely specialised vehicles. Compact 4WDs have become THE successful formula and no Ferrari model would be competitive against the best of Subaru, Mitsubishi, Ford or Toyota IMHO. Just too big, heavy and only RWD.

The courses are tight & twisty with few long straight sections. Most are run on loose surfaces (gravel, dirt, snow, etc), and even tarmac rally events would be tough on a 360, etc. Lots of hairpins, lots of "air" and lots of pounding.

To be competitive, Ferrari need to start with a light & strong SWB AWD car with an engine & traction systems setup to suit the WRC regs.

 

[Dj Dirk]

That would be the Michelotto 308 Group IV cars


and Bart
WHAT kind of rally have you driven? because there are several kinds of "rally"

WRC is VERY cool
and somehow i doubt that you can do this with your 550, look at attachement, or that you even have that in mind

 

[senna21]

Actually the 288 GTO was to be Ferraris foray into the Group B category in the 80s. That catagory was banned because of rising spectator deaths. The cars were then dubed "The Killer Bs." Many had both a Turbo (for high end power) and supercharger (for low end power) and could develop over 500hp and all wheel drive. out of Porsche did win the Paris to Dakar rally with their car the 959. For more on Group B go HERE

140mph in the forest in the dead of night with only the lights you have on your car. Trees right against the dirt road you're flying down. That's what WRC is all about. They used to call it Formula 1 in the forest. I'm not sure if that tag line is still used.

I drove a 2004 Subaru WRX STI over the Thanksgiving brake in Phoenix. All I can say is wow. I don't think I've ever driven a better car in my life. I love sports cars, driven Ferraris, Porsches, Formula race cars you name it. This was the best all around car in the world period. Four doors, huge trunk, great gas mileage, comfortable seats, and could go anywhere. The car doesn't accelerate... it LAUNCHES! Not only that but it'll do it all day long. Also probably do it for 200,000 miles. The traction in the turns and accelerating out was like no other road car I've driven. The brakes (Brembo option) could stop a freight train.

The only thing I didn't like was the huge rear wing on the back. The owner of the car said he's had it up to 140 and said you can certainly tell it's doing it's job back there. He wasn't crazy about it either. The down side to a car like this though is in no way was I able to test it's performance limits. It was just too fast. You'd need to get it onto a track to do so. Even then you still wouldn't be able to appreciate it. The car needs to be taken off road to get full enjoyment.

If you ever get a chance to drive one I suggest you do. It'll put a huge smile on your face. The only down side is getting into your own car and realizing all the compromises you have to live with.

 

[DJ]

That would be the Michelotto 308 Group IV cars


and Bart
WHAT kind of rally have you driven? because there are several kinds of "rally"

WRC is VERY cool
and somehow i doubt that you can do this with your 550, look at attachement, or that you even have that in mind

I would give that one a 9.7 for landing and a 9.85 for the double back flip with a twist :green: