Imola, 25th March 2006

The Imola (Bologna) circuit today hosted qualifying for this season's first round of the Italian Ferrari Challenge Pirelli Trophy, the one-make series which is now in its fourteenth year. Today's action marked the debut of the new F430, alongside a few 360 Modena cars for whom this is their final year of competition.

In the grid for the F430, pole positions in the main class went to Quinto Stefana (Rossocorsa) and Vito Postiglione (Stile F,) while in the Shell Cup for gentlemen drivers, the best times in the double qualifying session went to Lorenzo Bontempelli (Rossocorsa) and Massimo Mantovani  (Stile F.)

Of the 360 Modena competitors, the quickest of those racing tomorrow was Lorenzo Bontempelli in both sessions.


The Ferrari Challenge format consists of two 50 minute races per event, for each category, with a mandatory pit stop for a prescribed length of time, which allows for the participation of one driver per car or a crew of two, taking turns at the wheel.

The Imola event is part of the discount package available to all Scuderia Ferrari Club members. They will be able to buy entry tickets with a 50% reduction. Three lucky club members, chosen in a draw, will get the chance to passenger a race driver for a few demonstration laps aboard a Prancing Horse car.

RTL 102.5 is the official radio station to the Ferrari Challenge Pirelli Trophy and will broadcast live and also feature reports in various bulletins.

Tomorrow's programme gets underway at 10.15, with the first race of the Ferrari Challenge Pirelli Trophy for the 360 Modena.