01.12.2003 FERRARI TO INTRODUCE GT RACING VERSION OF THE CHALLENGE STRADALE AT THE DETROIT MOTOR SHOW

Ferrari will introduce a race version of the 'Challenge Stradale' at next month's Detroit Motor Show as the Italian marque aim to counter the threat posed by Porsche's new 996GT3 RSR. The new model, to be called the 360GTC ( Grand Turismo Competizione ) receives a similar acronym to its recently introduced big sister, the 575GTC.

The current 360 Modena based GT has struggled to overcome the Porsche's in the 'baby' GT class in both the American Le Mans Series and the FIA GT's this year, and with Porsche moving the goalposts with their highly rated new racer, Ferrari are keen to respond to the threat. The new 360GTC will also form the basis of the next Ferrari Challenge which will incorporate a GT-style large rear wing for the first time.