At the Snetterton circuit in the UK, the new Ferrari 296 Challenge made an electrifying debut. Current drivers from both the Ferrari Challenge UK and Club Challenge had their first experience with the car specifically designed for the exclusive racing series, ahead of its introduction in next season’s competitions.
Drivers eagerly looked forward to the moment they could take the wheel of this V6 marvel — the first of its kind in Ferrari’s Challenge roster. Boasting up to 700 CV, the powerplant of the 296 Challenge bears a close relation to the acclaimed 2.9L V6 found in the 296 GTB. However, the Challenge variant does not incorporate the GTB’s hybrid system, contributing to a significant weight reduction of 140kg compared to the street-legal version.
The praise didn’t stop at the powertrain as drivers noticed a marked upgrade in aerodynamics. The newly designed aero package impressively generates 870kg of downforce at 250 km/h when the rear spoiler is fully inclined — demonstrating an improvement in downforce by 18% when compared with the Ferrari 488 Challenge Evo predecessor.
The 296 Challenge also achieves a new standard for braking performance in the one-make series. Drivers experienced unprecedented stopping power thanks to the revolutionary CCM-R PLUS brake discs. These are premium brakes that draw directly from the most demanding motorsport technologies, including Formula 1, and surpass the capabilities of typical carbon-ceramic racing brakes.
Enthusiasts of the Ferrari 296 Challenge will have additional chances to witness this magnificent vehicle in action at the last couple of events in the Ferrari Challenge UK 2024 season. The upcoming race events included.
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