Ferrari Challenge Racing & Concours in Monterey
Report from Rex McAfee
The 25th anniversary of the Ferrari Challenge racing series leaped into action at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, way back on May 12th-14th, 2017, but still worth covering for the quality cars there. The world famous road course located in picturesque Monterey, California, provided the perfect backdrop for the opening round of this year’s factory series where the turbo-charged 488 Challenge car made its series debut.
Besides great racing for both amateurs and professionals, the weekend’s schedule included the Ferrari Challenge Concours d’Elegance. Organized by Ferrari Classiche, the judged event took place in the heart of the paddock adjacent to the Ferrari Challenge winner’s podium. The show was a success with crowds gathering on Saturday to inspect and savor the wide variety of entrants ranging from a 1955 750 Monza to a 2017 F12 tdf. A total of 29 Ferraris participated in the competition, and the People’s Choice Award was given to the 1962 250 GT/L Lusso owned by Dan Banta of Northern California. Its restoration had just been completed by David Muir of Somona and its Serra Blue paint was stunning. Second place was awarded to the 750 Monza of Stephen Hill, with third place going to the 275 GTB/4 of David Lee.
As a side note, the official artwork for this year’s Motorsports Reunion commemorates Pete Lovely winning the inaugural race at Laguna Seca in 1957 behind the wheel of his Ferrari 500 TR (0650 MDTR). With last year’s 1955-to-1962 GT run group including no less than nine Ferrari 250s of various configurations, this year’s event in August will no doubt be another example of why Ferraris and Monterey go “mano nella mano”.
Ferraris of note:
Stephen Hill – 1955 750 Monza - 0518 M
Stephen Hill – 1962 268 SP - 0802
Dan Banta – 1963 250 GT/L Lusso - 5235 GT
Stephen Hill – 1963 275 P - 0812
David Lee – 1964 250 GT/L Lusso - 05847
John McCaw – 1966 275 GTB Alloy - 08749
Jim Cavalieri – 1966 330 GTC - 08833
David Lee – 1967 275 GTB/4 - 10583
Tony Shooshani – 1969 Dino 206 - 00387
Steve Church – 1971 Dino 246 GT - 01180
Geoffrey Palermo – 1972 365 GTB/4 - 15155
Sandro Lee – 1972 365 GTC/4 - 15361
Report and images from Rex McAfee.
