Newsletter 2008 No. 1

February 8, 2008

SHELL FERRARI HISTORIC CHALLENGE 

ABOUT THIS NEWSLETTER This newsletter will be sent to all Shell Historics drivers on a somewhat regular basis, usually shortly after an event or when there are major issues we wish to communicate to all drivers. The primary means of communications is the Ferrari Challenge website at www.ferrarichallenge.com -- here you can find schedules and information on upcoming events. You will also use this site to register for an event, pay your entry fees, and arrange for guests for an event. The Ferrari Concierge is also available to assist you, at 866-551-2828. 

FUTURE EVENTS

The next event for the 2008 Shell Historics will be at Road Atlanta, near Braselton, Georgia, on April 18-20, followed two weeks later by the third event of the season at Infineon Raceway, near Sonoma, California. Both these famed tracks are just over 2.5 miles long, (and coincidentally, each is in the wine-producing area of their state) but each track has a very different character. (So do the wines.)We hope you are making your plans now for these events. Each will be accompanied by the 430 Challenge, and the full range of Ferrari hospitality for you and your guests. Both tracks provide good racing, and we look forward to seeing you at these two great weekends.   

TECHNICAL ISSUES

At Cavallino Classic a number of cars were presented for Tech Inspection with outdated stickers on seat belts, shoulder harnesses, and fire bottles. We will not (and cannot) allow this at future events. Cars with any safety component with an out-of-date label will not be permitted to participate. If you have not submitted your Application for a Certificate of Authenticity, please remember to do so before the next event. The Application should be sent to Lucy Petrone at Ferrari North America (250 Sylvan Avenue, Englewood Cliffs, NJ 07632), with a cover note indicating that this is for the Shell Historics. No application fee is required, as this has been waived by Ferrari North America. 

CAVALLINO CLASSIC

In 2001 Peter Giddings and Todd Morici were two of the first drivers to be awarded the "Masters" designation in the Shell Historic Challenge in North America. Each driver has remained almost unbeatable in their group, and at the Cavallino Classic, opening round of the 2008 series; they proved they’ve lost none of their skills. The Shell Historics -- properly the Shell Ferrari Historic Challenge -- divides competing cars into two groups, for earlier cars with drum brakes and later disc-braked cars, with several classes in each group. Giddings races a Maserati 250F, a single-seater Grand Prix car once raced by Sir Stirling Moss, in the Drum Group. The combination was quick in practice and qualifying, but for once, someone was quicker. Nick Soprano has raced a Ferrari in past years, but for 2008 he brought out a big gun -- a 1957 Maserati 450S sports/racer, fitted with a 5.7 liter V8 engine. This combination was good enough for pole position in the Drum Group. Soprano and Giddings were expected to be the best race of the weekend, but when the grid was called for the Drum Brake race, Soprano failed to appear. His big Maserati was stuck in the pits with linkage problems. He made it on to the track at the back of the pack, but retired with brake problems after only a few laps. Giddings took an immediate lead at the start, with Jon Shirley (Maserati 300S) following. Behind the leading pair Ed Davies in his 375 MM Spyder, Chuck Wegner (Maserati 200 SI) and Peter LeSaffre in another 300S had a good battle for the duration of the race, with Leslie Davies’ 250 TR close behind. Giddings took as easy win, ahead by 23 seconds at the end. Shirley finished second overall and took a class win; other class winners were Peter Greenfield in an Alfa Romeo 8C/35, Charlie Arnott in a Ferrari 250 GT/TdF, Tom Mittler in his Maserati A6GCS, and Mark Lindman in a Ferrari 212 Inter.

Morici was equally dominant in the Disc Brake Group. He qualified his 512 BB/LM on pole, in front of Jim Fuchs and Chuck Wegner in identical cars. A large Berlinetta class -- three 250 GTOs, three 250 SWBs, and a rare 275 GTB/C -- followed the trio of BB/LMs, and promised a good race. Chris Cox qualified the legendary 412 MI, a star of California racing in the late 1950s.Morici got a good start, and led every lap. Fuchs and Wegner were unable to stay with the past champion, and Morici won by 20 seconds. Defending Disc champion Tom Price initially led the Berlinetta class in his GTO, but Peter LeSaffre, racing his 275 GTB/C for the first time, slipped past when Price went wide in a turn. LeSaffre took the class win, as did Cox in his class. Awards were presented at a banquet at the Breakers Hotel as part of the Cavallino Classic ceremonies. Giddings and Morici were each presented a Trofeo di Florida by John and Alicia Barnes of "Cavallino Magazine" for their overall group wins. In addition to the class winners, Jon Shirley was presented a special award for representing the spirit of the Shell Historics. 

2008 SHELL HISTORICS STANDINGS

Championship standings after the first event, Cavallino Classic. Points are awarded as explained in the regulations.

DRUM BRAKE GROUP1
Shirley, Jon 322
Davies, Ed 283
Wegner, Chuck 244
Mittler, Tom 225
LeSaffre, Peter 206
Greenfield, Peter 186
Delarroz, Manny 186
Arnott, Charlie 186
Giddings, Peter 186
Davies, Leslie 167
Soprano, Nick 128
Colonna, Nick 88
Lindman, Mark 8

DISC BRAKE GROUP1
LeSaffre, Peter 322
Price, Tom 283
Morici, Todd 243
Davies, Ed 244
Colonna, Nick 204
Fuchs, Jim 205
Cox, Chris 186
Kotts, John 166
Wegner, Chuck 167
Davies, Leslie 128
Whitten, Greg 8

CONTACTS:
www.FerrariChallenge.com

Maria McNeil, Ferrari Challenge Manager
Ferrari North America
250 Sylvan Avenue
Englewood Cliffs, NJ 07632

Phone 201-816-2681
FAX 201-541-8488
E-mail mcneil@ferrariusa.com

David Seibert, Shell Historic Challenge Project Manager
990 Mountain Creek Trail
Sandy Springs, GA 30328

Phone 404-309-6090
FAX 404-847-0118
E-mail david@davidseibert.com