01.08.2003  THE N-TECHNOLOGY BUILT FERRARI 575GTC HITS THE TRACK AS AN ANDERSTORP RACE DEBUT IS TARGETED

The factory developed Ferrari 575GTC sportscar has been out testing as a September race debut is lined up. The project, which has been undertaken by N-Technology, Fiat Group's competition department, will see a series of customer versions being made available for 2004, the cars eligible for both the European GT series and the ALMS GTS class in North America.

Recently the car, to be known as the 575GTC, has been running at Ferrari's private test track at Fiorano, and the Alfa Romeo track at Balocco. Veteran Alfa Romeo test driver Giorgio Francia has conducted the bulk of the driving, with Pirelli-contracted Fabio Babini joining him to carry out tyre development work.

Regular FIA GT Championship entrants JMB Racing, will receive the first car, with a debut at either Anderstorp on the 7th September or Oschersleben a fortnight later being planned. JMB have been running a pair of their own developed 550's in this years FIA GT series with a distinct lack of success, but a significant improvement last weekend at Spa in both performance and reliability is attributed to the sole entry receiving development parts for endurance testing from N-Technology.

Meanwhile the FIA GT organisers, SRO, are planning to restrict the BMS Scuderia Italia Ferraris, which have runaway with the series this year, in the closing races of the season. Although the no23 car of Tomas Biagi and Matteo Bobbi, won the first five races, the team contend it was partially due to good luck and reliability. SRO are weighing up either an additional weight handicap or restricting the airbox diameter of the Prodrive-built cars.

BMS Scuderia Italia have confirmed that they will take up their entry to next years Le Mans 24 Hours, if as seems a formality, they clinch this year's FIA GT series. The Le Mans organisers have promised the top two finishers in the FIA GT series this year an entry into next years French classic. It will be the first time since 1977 that Scuderia Italia have competed at Le Mans.
Regular FIA GT series runners JMB Racing will receive the first customer Ferrari 575GTC. This season they have been campaigning their own developed 550 Maranello, seen here last weekend at Spa