Armin Zoeggeler, who took the gold medal in the luge discipline for Italy at the XX Winter Olympics in Turin last month, got behind the wheel of a race version of the Ferrari F430 Challenge at Imola. The star from Merano ran around twenty laps in a test session ahead of the single-make series in which the car will compete. The 2006 Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli season will kick off at the Roman circuit on 26 March.

"It was a great experience", reflected Zoeggeler afterwards. "Motor-racing has always been a passion of mine and I am a great Ferrari fan. The Prancing Horse car was exciting, even though this was my first time driving one. I cannot hide my desire to one day compete in motor-racing, perhaps in Ferrari Challenge if the chance arises.
 

"For now I would like to thank team Ineco for allowing me the opportunity to sample thrills that resemble those of my own speciality: speed, pushing to the limit, the importance of sensitivity and of fixing reference points along the track. I will now go back to being a fan and, having appreciated the performance of Schumacher and the team in Bahrain, I am will look forward to Malaysia. Forza Ferrari!"