Today, the Mugello International Circuit hosted the first races of the Ferrari World Finals 2005. The event which brings the curtain down on the Prancing Horse's racing season comes to a final climax on Sunday 23rd October with the world track debut of the FXX and F430 Challenge cars, a parade of 60 Enzo Ferraris and the traditional demonstration by Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro, with two F2005 driven by Michael Schumacher and Rubens Barrichello.

Today's programme featured qualifying sessions for the Shell Ferrari Maserati Historic Challenge and Ferrari Challenge Pirelli Trophy, followed by the first races for the series featuring the 360 Modena Challenge cars.



In the Italian Ferrari Challenge Pirelli Trophy, victory went to Michele Maceratesi (Motor/Malucelli,) who crossed the line ahead of Nicola Cadei (Rossocorsa) and Domenico Schiattarella (Motor,) second and third respectively. Salvatore Insigne (Maranello team) took top honours in the event for gentlemen drivers in the Shell Cup.

Excitement and spectacle were on the cards when competitors in the European and USA series of the Challenge 360 took to the track alongside one another. First to pass under the chequered flag in the opening race was Robert Pergl (HP-Exclusiv,) ahead of Michael Cullen (Rossocorsa) and Paddy Shovlin (Rossocorsa.) First of the North Americans was Douglas Peterson (Shelton,) who finished 14th overall.