Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli opened its 2020 season as a part of North America’s most famous endurance race, the 24 Hours at Daytona. There, the thirty-eight North American competitors of Ferrari Challenge raced under the lights for the first time. The event also marked the North American debut of the Ferrari 488 Challenge Evo, which broke cover on Saturday evening as part of a private event at Ferrari’s hospitality at the Daytona circuit.
TROFEO PIRELLI
Trofeo Pirelli. Cooper MacNeil (Scuderia Corsa – Ferrari of Westlake) began his season in perfect fashion, taking pole position, the win and fastest lap in both races, earning a perfect 34 points on the weekend. The podium in the Trofeo Pirelli category was identical between Thursday and Friday with Joe Rubbo (Ferrari of Long Island) claiming second ahead of Ross Chouest (Boardwalk Ferrari) who finished in third place.
Trofeo Pirelli Am. John Megrue (Ferrari of Long Island) also took two wins from two chances at Daytona in the Trofeo Pirelli Am category. More impressive, however, was how he was able to compete not just within his own category, but with the overall race winner, Cooper MacNeil. On Thursday’s race, John stayed in close contact with the more experienced Trofeo Pirelli driver throughout the 30 minute contest. On Friday, the American succumbed to Joe Rubbo to finish third overall, while still winning his category. On Thursday, John was joined on hte podium by Dave Musial (Ferrari of Lake Forest) and Barry Zekelman (Ferrari of Ontario) in second and third respectively, while Friday’s podium was completed by Jean-Claude Saada (Boardwalk Ferrari) in second and Dave Musial in third.
COPPA SHELL
Coppa Shell. Jason McCarthy (Wide World Ferrari) took the win in race 1 on Thursday, but then endured heartbreak on Friday as his car sputtered on the final laps. In a chaotic finish, Rich Baek (Ron Tonkin Gran Turismo) took the win in Friday’s race. Thursday’s podium was completed by Osvaldo Gaio (Miller Motorcars) and Jim Booth (Ferrari of Atlanta) in second and third respectively, while Friday’s featured last year’s Coppa Shell AM champion Brad Horstmann (Foreign Cars Italia) in second and Jay Schreibman (Cauley Ferrari) in third.
Coppa Shell Am. Justin Wetherill (Ferrari of Central Florida) took back to back wins at Daytona International Speedway, leading home Chris Aitkin (Ferrari of Houston) and Stephen Lawler (Ferrari of Seattle) on Thursday and John Cervini (Ferrari of Ontario) and Dave Musial Jr. (Lake Forest Ferrari) on Friday.
Schedule. The 2020 season of Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli will make its next stop at Road Atlanta for Ferrari Racing Days on March 6-8. In addition to the XX Programme and F1 Clienti drivers who customarily join as part of Ferrari Racing Days, the Ferrari 488 Challenge Evo will make its racing debut.