The North American Ferrari Challenge Series 2007 season opener next weekend (March 9-11) at Miami's Homestead Speedway, will showcase some of Ferrari's greatest achievements, as it will coincide with the U.S. kick-off of a global relay event marking the brand's 60th anniversary, while continuing its festival-like tradition of the 430 Challenge event series. The weekend will highlight a special ceremonial lap with up to 60 select Ferrari vehicles driven by owners, along with demonstrations of the 800+ hp, limited edition, FXX supercar and various Formula One vehicles -- all events will be open to the public.

Now in its 14th racing season in the U.S., the Ferrari Challenge Series (utilising race-prepared Ferrari 430 Challenge vehicles) offers Ferrari owners who are not professional racers the opportunity to compete against other Ferrari owners in a highly competitive racing series at world-class venues throughout the U.S. and Canada, and is regarded as the longest-running series of its type in North America.
 

"As we celebrate Ferrari's 60th anniversary, we reflect on not just our racing traditions, but those experiences that allow our owners and all Ferrari enthusiasts to share in the very same passion and excitement that our racing teams enjoy on a worldwide basis," said Maurizio Parlato, President and CEO of Ferrari North America, Inc. "Tying into the tradition of our Challenge series from both a participant and spectator role allows all Ferrari fans to be inspired by the performance and passion that can only be Ferrari."

Ferrari is celebrating its remarkable history world wide with a relay event. This weekend the Ferrari 60 Relay is passing through the City of Melbourne in Australia. The relay started in Abu Dhabi, site of future Ferrari Theme Park, on 29 January. After Middle East, the journey goes across China, Japan, Australia, South Africa, America and the whole of Europe, and will end at Maranello on 23 June. The relay will involve over 10,000 Ferrari owners and their cars of all ages. These will act as symbolic “bearers” of a specially commissioned relay baton adorned with 60 badges symbolising the most extraordinary events in the marque’s 60-year history.

The Ferrari Challenge is one of the numerous "exclusive" experiences that Ferrari offers its customers -- and whether owners are actually racing in the series, dining in the luxurious VIP hospitality tents, participating in weekend driving clinics or socialising with those that share their enthusiasm for Ferrari, the weekend festivals provide a unique atmosphere and incomparable experience. General public can enjoy the races, peruse the paddock areas, and enjoy the overall Ferrari-festival type of atmosphere.

The Challenge Series is one of the many assets Ferrari provides exclusively for its owners, and together with experiences such as the, and Ferrari's North American Driving School in Mont Tremblant, Quebec, the company continues to provide environments where owners can enjoy their cars in the manner for which they were intended -- with top performance and through unique opportunities and venues. The Ferrari Challenge Series is organized by Ferrari North America, Inc., and sanctioned by the Grand American Road Racing Association. Sponsors for 2007 include Motorola, Shell, Pirelli, Sabelt, Officine Panerai and Piaggio Aero.