If you love the thrill and excitement that comes with speeding down a track in a powerful car, you have to drive a Ferrari down the Modena racetrack. A Ferrari from the Ferrari Challenge series is particularly suited to a day out on the tracks. It is freeing to drive around the track without having to worry about speed limits, traffic, and pedestrians. You can drive the car and push it to its limit for the wild excitement brought about by the adrenaline rush. Once you book your session, you can choose from two of the best Ferrari Challenge cars: Ferrari F430 Challenge and Ferrari 458 Challenge.

Test Drive Ferrari Challenge Series

By coming up with Challenge modified cars, Ferrari addressed the need for them to create cars that would be ready to race as they left the factory. When the Ferrari Challenge championship began, the drivers had to make a few hardware alterations to the earlier cars like the 355 and 348 in order to race competitively. Ferrari introduced the 360 that left the factory ready to race. That was the advent of the Challenge modified car; a car that was custom built for competitive racing. Then came the F430 followed by Ferrari 458 of the Challenge series. Both of them cannot be legally driven on the streets in most countries.

Driving a Ferrari F430 Challenge

The F430 Challenge was introduced by Ferrari in 2005 to take over from the 360 challenge car in the Ferrari Challenge championship. The F430 Challenge is based on the F430 that is street-legal and even uses the same production engine. The major difference is that the Challenge car has been customized to be more successful on the circuit. To boost its performance on the track, there has been substantial weight reduction and changes to the suspension system. The exhaust system is also modified for racing purposes. With the adjustments, the top speed is 350 km/h.
Since the engine is the same as that of the standard F430, it produces a torque of 343 lbft (465 Nm) and a power of 483 hp (360 kW). The engine is naturally aspirated and each cylinder has 4 valves. The transmission is inspired by Ferrari’s experience in Formula One. Consequently, the gear shift has been improved tremendously. You can shift the gear in 150 ms. The car uses a mechanical differential which is a move from the electronic differential in the non-racing F430. The F430 Challenge has managed to shave off 650 pounds from the production car by replacing the glass with Lexan. The stability control feature was also removed.

Ferrari 458 Challenge

The 458 Challenge was brought in in 2009 to replace the F430 in the championship. It was more adept to the rigors of racing. Ferrari’s involvement in Formula 1 inspired changes to its design and accompanying technologies. The interior design, done in consultation with Michael Schumacher (multiple Formula 1 championship winning driver) moved more controls from the dashboard to the new steering wheel. The car uses a 4.5-liter V8 engine that produces 570hp (9000 rpm) and a torque of 398 lbft (540 Nm) at 6000 rpm. The 458 Challenge has a top speed of 340 km/h (210 mph) and accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 3 seconds.
The side windows are made using plastic and the seats are made of carbon fiber in an effort to reduce the weight. The 458 Challenge uses an electronic differential. To improve the traction control, Ferrari installed the F1-Trac that is inspired by the sophisticated Formula 1 traction control system. As this traction device is integrated with the E-Diff, the driver can corner much better. The traction control system, which can be disabled, can be adjusted for dry or wet track conditions. The braking system features a prefill function that has facilitated a significant reduction in stopping distance.

Test drives on Autodromo di Modena

Autodromo di Modena is a 2.4 kilometer (1.5 miles) long race track that is found in Modena, Italy. It is a test track open to the public just outside the city of Modena (northern Italy). Modena Autodrome has now been opened to visitors who wish to test their cars in a safe environment. Here, you can drive the Ferrari Challenge on a 12-meter-wide track with straights and bends that allow you to test its speed and handling. Afforded such freedom, you can experience the power and exceptional qualities of the Ferrari Challenge cars in a manner reserved for racing drivers. It is the best place to conduct a Ferrari test drive.

What Else to Visit.

Thanks to an enduring partnership between the Ferrari Museum and the Autodromo di Modena, you can enjoy a tour of the museum during your visit. At the museum, you will witness the rich history of the iconic “Prancing Horse.” In a dramatic way, you will travel through time going through the famous cars that have graced tracks in the past and revolutionized the car industry. The Ferrari Museum in Maranello is just 25 minutes away from the circuit, you can drive on the circuit and visit the museum at an affordable rate.

Requirements and Regulations for test driving a Ferrari on the track.

Before you are allowed on the track, there are certain regulations that you have to abide by. First, you must sign a statement waiving liability in case of injury which is accompanied by valid identification documents. To do a Ferrari test drive on the circuit, a valid driver’s license is required. Statutory rules require that all persons allowed on the track be 18 years and above. Those who are under 18 years can only be allowed as passengers. To ensure your safety, you have to wear a helmet and seat belts in the car.
The cars that are allowed on the track are 2 seaters and the driver is accompanied by an instructor.

Conclusion

Any driver who loves racing should try a Ferrari test drive at Autodromo di Modena. The facility boasts a world-class circuit where you can have the ultimate driving experience. The Ferrari F430 Challenge and Ferrari 458 Challenge are the ultimate cars to drive on the iconic racetrack. The close proximity of the circuit to the Maranello Ferrari Museum provides you with the rare opportunity to visit the birthplace of the Prancing Horse.