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<img src="http://blog.pangeic.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/Ferrari-458-Challenge-Bologna-Motor-Show-5.jpeg" alt="Ferrari 458 Challenge" title="Ferrari 458 Challenge" width="500" height="333" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-13836" /><br />
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<p>5 Years after Ferrari unveiled their F430 challenge production model at the 2005 LA Auto Show, Ferrari throws down (just in time for Xmas) with the introduction of the Ferrari 458 challenge (based off the <strong><a href="http://www.madwhips.com/458-italia/">Ferrari 458 Italia</a></strong>)  </p>
<p>Like all challenge cars, the engine remains untouched (V8 with 570hp), but performance upgrades include the vehicles F1 gearbox gearing and significant weight loss via carbon fiber and plastic modifications. Also a 1st for Ferrari track-only challenge cars is the use of an E-Diff electronic differential already employed on the road-going version.</p>
<p>It also has a hardcore race tuned suspension setup, stiffer springs lowered by 50mm, single-rate alloy dampers, centre-nut 19-inch forged wheels, Pirelli slicks, new-generation Brembo CCM2 brakes integrated with the latest ABS system, which debuted on the <strong><a href="http://www.madwhips.com/ferrari-599xx/">Ferrari 599XX</a></strong>.</p>
<p>Another first for a Ferrari Challenge model is the adoption of the F1-Trac traction control system, the most sophisticated of its kind, says Ferrari. Developed in-house by the automaker, the F1-Trac system constantly monitors levels of grip for maximum high-performance road holding.</p>
<p>Although the Ferrari 458 challenge was originally presented at the Ferrari Annual Dealer Meeting in July 2010, the Bologna Motor Show world debut marks it&#8217;s official production arrival.  Ferrari claims that the 458 challenge is 2 seconds faster than the <strong><a href="http://www.madwhips.com/event--2009-ferrari-f430-challenge/">Ferrari 430 Challenge</a></strong> at the Fiorano test track and only 0.2 seconds slower than their military grade <strong><a href="http://www.madwhips.com/enzo/">Enzo Ferrari</a></strong>, the <strong><a href="http://www.madwhips.com/fxx-evoluzione/">Ferrari FXX Evoluzione</a></strong>.  I am really hoping to catch the 458 challenge</p>
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<a href="http://www.carzi.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/Ferrari-458-Challenge-Bologna-Motor-Show-6.jpeg"><img src="http://blog.pangeic.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/Ferrari-458-Challenge-Bologna-Motor-Show-6-500x333.jpg" alt="Ferrari 458 Challenge Fiorana Track" title="Ferrari 458 Challenge Fiorana Track" width="500" height="333" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-13837" /></a><br />
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<p>6 dates across North America in 2011 will host these races:  Infineon Raceway April 28-May 1, Laguna Seca May 20-22, Canadian F1 Grand Prix in Montreal June 10-12, Toronto IndyCar July 8-10, Lime Rock Park July 29-30 and Homestead Miami September 23-25.</p>
<p>Ferrari&#8217;s Corse Clienti department will also be bringing the 599XX, FXX and F1 Clienti programs alongside the Ferrari Challenge action to the Infineon and Laguna Seca events.  So I guess that settles it, CarZi will be heading to Laguna Seca in 2011!! Awesome <img src="http://blog.pangeic.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" class="wp-smiley" /> </p>
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<a href="http://www.carzi.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/Ferrari-458-Challenge-Bologna-Motor-Show-7.jpeg"><img src="http://blog.pangeic.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/Ferrari-458-Challenge-Bologna-Motor-Show-7-500x333.jpg" alt="Ferrari 458 Challenge Fiorana Track" title="Ferrari 458 Challenge Fiorana Track" width="500" height="333" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-13838" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.carzi.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/Ferrari-458-Challenge-Bologna-Motor-Show-1.jpeg"><img src="http://blog.pangeic.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/Ferrari-458-Challenge-Bologna-Motor-Show-1-150x150.jpg" alt="Ferrari 458 Challenge Bologna Motor Show" title="Ferrari 458 Challenge Bologna Motor Show" width="150" height="150" class="alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-13840" /></a> <a href="http://www.carzi.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/Ferrari-458-Challenge-Bologna-Motor-Show-2.jpeg"><img src="http://blog.pangeic.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/Ferrari-458-Challenge-Bologna-Motor-Show-2-150x150.jpg" alt="Ferrari 458 Challenge Bologna Motor Show" title="Ferrari 458 Challenge Bologna Motor Show" width="150" height="150" class="alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-13841" /></a> <a href="http://www.carzi.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/Ferrari-458-Challenge-Bologna-Motor-Show-3.jpeg"><img src="http://blog.pangeic.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/Ferrari-458-Challenge-Bologna-Motor-Show-3-150x150.jpg" alt="Ferrari 458 Challenge Bologna Motor Show" title="Ferrari 458 Challenge Bologna Motor Show" width="150" height="150" class="alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-13842" /></a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.carzi.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/Ferrari-458-Challenge-Bologna-Motor-Show-4.jpeg"><img src="http://blog.pangeic.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/Ferrari-458-Challenge-Bologna-Motor-Show-4-500x333.jpg" alt="Ferrari 458 Challenge Bologna Motor Show" title="Ferrari 458 Challenge Bologna Motor Show" width="500" height="333" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-13843" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.carzi.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/Ferrari-458-Challenge-Bologna-Motor-Show-8.jpeg"><img src="http://blog.pangeic.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/Ferrari-458-Challenge-Bologna-Motor-Show-8-500x333.jpg" alt="Ferrari 458 Challenge Steering Wheel" title="Ferrari 458 Challenge Steering Wheel" width="500" height="333" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-13839" /></a><br />
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<p>Checkout the front brake calipers glowing at the 3:00 minute mark in the video below followed by some lightning fast down shifting thanks to that F1 Transmission!! Crazy!</p>
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<img src="http://blog.pangeic.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/Ferrari-458-Challenge-Brake-Glow.jpg" alt="Ferrari-458-Challenge-Brake-Glow" title="Ferrari-458-Challenge-Brake-Glow" width="500" height="169" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-13849" /></p>
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Ferrari 458 Photo Galleries<br />
<a href="http://www.madwhips.com/458-italia/"><img src="http://blog.pangeic.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/Ferrari-458-Italia-Photo-Galleries.jpg" alt="Ferrari 458 Italia Photo Galleries" title="Ferrari 458 Italia Photo Galleries" width="471" height="460" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-13851" /></a></p>
<p>2009 Ferrari 430 Challenge Photo Galleries<br />
<a href="http://www.madwhips.com/event--2009-ferrari-f430-challenge/"><img src="http://blog.pangeic.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/2009-Ferrari-F430-Photo-Galleries.jpg" alt="2009 Ferrari F430 Photo Galleries" title="2009 Ferrari F430 Photo Galleries" width="469" height="326" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-13852" /></a></p>
<p>2008 Ferrari 430 Challenge Photo Galleries<br />
<a href="http://www.madwhips.com/event--2008-ferrari-f430-challenge/"><img src="http://blog.pangeic.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/2008-Ferrari-F430-Challenge-Photo-Galleries.jpg" alt="2008 Ferrari F430 Challenge Photo Galleries" title="2008 Ferrari F430 Challenge Photo Galleries" width="467" height="320" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-13853" /></a></p>
<p>2008 Ferrari FXX Evoluzione Photo Galleries<br />
<a href="http://www.madwhips.com/fxx-evoluzione/"><img src="http://blog.pangeic.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/2008-Ferrari-FXX-Evoluzione-Photo-Galleries.jpg" alt="2008 Ferrari FXX Evoluzione Photo Galleries" title="2008 Ferrari FXX Evoluzione Photo Galleries" width="472" height="320" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-13854" /></a><br />
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<p>[Source: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/12/02/ferrari-458-challenge-debuts-at-2010-bologna-motor-show/">AutoBlog.com</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ferrari_Challenge">Wikipedia.com</a>, <a href="http://life.nationalpost.com/2010/12/02/ferrari-debuts-track-ready-458-challenge-in-bologna/">NationalPost.com</a>, <a href="http://www.madwhips.com">MadWhips.com</a>]</p>