Last week end the 2011 North America Ferrari Challenge visited Florida for the final leg of the 2011 season, showing again great competitions among 458 and F430 Challenge drivers at the Homeastead Miami Speedway.
In the F430 Challenge, Christopher Ruud started Saturday race in eighth position ahead of eight F458s, evidence of his driving abilities if considering the newer car has about 80 more horsepower and is technologically advanced. On the first race, Ruud never looked back once the green flag dropped.
As far as the 458 Italia Challenge, Harry Cheung started out in sixth, but once he got past Farano (Algar Ferrari), he began to chase down McKenzie (Ferrari of Houston) like a cheetah closing in on a gazelle. Unfortunately, there were not enough laps in the race for many position changes and Cheung finished the first race in fourth position.
On Sunday, the changing weather brought rain, which cancelled qualifying and the grid for the second race was determined by overall points. When the race started, McKenzie managed to get past Cheung, putting the three lead drivers in the same order as the previous race. The three finished in the same order as well, with Cheung finding his way to the podium in third place.
Similarly, Ruud kept his lead in the F430 Challenge series and won also the second race of the weekend. He was followed by Guy LeClerc (Ferrari of Fort Lauderdale) in second place and Damon Ockey (Ferrari of Ontario) in third. Now that Ruud is on top, only the World Finals in Italy stand between him and the Championship crown.
2011 has been an incredible year for Ferrari Beverly Hills/Silicon Valley Team, which is now going to the World Finals in Italy with Harry Cheung’s standing in second place together with McKenzie in the 458 Italia series and Christopher Ruud leading the N. America F430 Challenge Drivers’ Championship.
All Beverly Hills/Silicon Valley drivers - Christopher Ruud, Jon Becker, Harry Cheung and Andy Gordon - are now looking ahead in preparation to the next race, the World Challenge Finals taking place at the Mugello Race Track the week end of November 6th.
The Ferrari Challenge World Finals will be the 2011 ending round for the 458 Italia and F430s entered in the North American, Italian, European and Asia Pacific series of the Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli. The event celebrates the concluding racing year and will culminate in a F1 display by the Scuderia Ferrari. The World Finals also offer clients a unique opportunity to admire the Historic Challenge, F1 Clienti, FXX and 599XX Programme. Forza Ferrari Beverly Hills & Silicon Valley!
Homestead Miami Race 1
Homestead Miami Race 2
Homestead Miami Points Standings