After making its track
debut at home at Fiorano last Monday, the new 458 Italia
Grand Am will be back in action next Tuesday and
Wednesday (26 and 27 July) for a private test session at
Florida’s Daytona International Speedway as its
development programme steps up a big gear.
Taking turns at the wheel
next week will be the tried and tested duo of Jaime Melo
and Toni Vilander who can pride themselves of having an
extensive list of wins to their name in Ferraris. They
will continue development work on the 458 Italia Grand
Am in preparation for its participation in the 2012
American championship.
Daytona recalls many memories of past Ferrari victories
in the famous 24 Hour race, the company having close
links with this important event. In fact, Ferrari has
taken part in 47 of these endurance races, winning five
of them outright as well as taking 15 class wins.
Standing out in that list was an amazing clean sweep of
the podium in 1967 for the two Ferrari 330 P4 and a 412
N.A.R.T., while back in 1962, Phil Hill and Ricardo
Rodriguez won in a Dino 246 SP. That year, no less than
four Ferraris finished in the top ten while in 1972,
Mario Andretti and Jacky Ickx won in a 312 PB.
