FCS: Ferrari Challenge support race at USGP

Ferrari Challenge To Support Sap United States Grand Prix Again

INDIANAPOLIS, Thursday, June 21, 2001 - For the second consecutive year, the Ferrari Challenge will race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway as a support event for the SAP United States Grand Prix.

The 2001 SAP United States Grand Prix will take place Sept. 28-30 on the Speedway's 2.606-mile Grand Prix circuit. The date and time of the Ferrari Challenge race will be announced at a later date.

"We're excited to have the Ferrari Challenge return to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway as a support race for the second SAP United States Grand Prix at Indianapolis," said Tony George, president and chief executive officer of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. "They provided a great compliment to the Grand Prix with racing that was thoroughly enjoyed by our fans."

In the Ferrari Challenge race last September at the Speedway, Steve Earle of the United States led from start to finish en route to victory.

"We are absolutely thrilled to and excited to race at Indianapolis again," said Maria Homann of Ferrari North America. "Our drivers are excited to race on the Formula One course where the Formula One race will take place."

Drivers in the Ferrari Challenge own their own cars and are amateur racers, with no professional drivers permitted. There is no prize money in the Challenge. The series, now in its eighth year, competes at historic North American venues such as Sebring, Elkhart Lake, Mazda Raceway at Laguna Sega and the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal. The Ferrari Challenge is the only support series to race at both North American Formula One events.

Cars racing in the Challenge are specially built racing versions of the new 360 Modena, Ferrari's latest V8-engined sports car. The Challenge Ferraris are fitted with full safety equipment, modified suspension and brakes, and Pirelli racing slicks on BBS wheels. The 3.5-liter engine, producing more than 400 horsepower, is unmodified.

All Ferraris in the Challenge are prepared to the same standards by authorized Ferrari dealers, who maintain and support the cars at the races. Ferrari 355s, the predecessor to the 360, also participate in the series. Prepared to similar standards, the 355s are most easily recognized by their carbon-fiber rear wings.

The largest crowd in modern Formula One history attended the inaugural SAP United States Grand Prix on Sept. 24, 2000. Tickets for the 2001 SAP United States Grand Prix are available by calling (800) 822-4639.

-IMS-