Discription of the BONHAMS 355 Challenge Ferrari is online

More Details and Pictures: http://www.bonhams.com/auctions/24882/preview_lot/5137725/

1995 Ferrari F355 Challenge Coupé
The ex- Beppe Schenetti, 1995 Ferrari F355 Challenge Italy-winning
1995 Ferrari F355 Challenge Coupé
Chassis no. ZFFPA41B00101736

•One of 108 F355 Challenge models made
•Raced in the Ferrari Challenge Italy 1995-1999
•10 race wins and 14 additional podium places
•Road legal
•Registered in Germany

In 1995, Ferrari introduced the F355 Challenge for use specifically in the ‘Ferrari Challenge’, a one-make race series that had been created in 1993, initially for owners of the 348 Berlinetta. For the F355 Challenge, Ferrari made available a kit of racing parts (costing some $30,000), which would be supplied to authorised dealers for fitting to customers’ standard road-going F355s. Alternatively, Challenge cars could be ordered fully finished from the factory.

The Challenge model’s additions/modifications included a lightweight exhaust system; competition steering wheel; rear wing; competition clutch; Brembo 14″ brakes (F40 type); Speedline 18″ magnesium-alloy wheels; Pirelli racing slicks; solid suspension bushes and competition springs; brake cooling ducts at front and rear; upgraded radiator cooling fans; manual fan control; a roll cage; and all the usual safety equipment. No engine tuning was allowed (the engines were sealed) apart from that achieved by using the kit exhaust. In total, 108 F355 Challenge models were produced before the Ferrari Challenge series switched to the F360 in 2000.

Driven by Beppe Schenetti, this example raced in the Ferrari F355 Challenge Italy every season from 1995 to 1999 inclusive, winning the championship in ’95. Schenetti won two of that season’s four rounds and finished 2nd in the other two to clinch the title. By the time this car retired from active competition when the F355 Challenge came to an end at the 1999 season’s conclusion, Schenetti had added a further eight wins and 12 podium places to the total, making it one of the most successful racing Ferraris of all time! Appropriately enough, he crowned this magnificent achievement with victory in the Challenge’s final ever round: the World Final at Vallelunga in 1999 (full racing history available).

In 2017, this car underwent a mechanical restoration including an engine-out service (see invoices on tile totalling more than €13,000). It also comes with German Fahrzeugbrief, the original service book, a selection of in-period racing photographs, and the aforementioned extensive racing history. An invitation to the 2018 ‘Challenge and GT Days’ at the Red Bull Ring Austria (worth €2,280) is included in the sale together with a 1:43 scale model.

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