The fastest one make road racing series in the world was claimed by Dodge Viper Cup. And it was all due to the Viper ACR-X’s massive 640 hp 8.4 liter V10 engine. There is however the Ferrari 458 Challenge race car out to make life difficult for the Dodge’s. Based on the 2010 Ferrari 458 Italia, the race car makes the prancing horse a strong contender with the Torfeo Pirelli Series.
The Viper is more than the 458 Challenger in terms of sheer horse power, having about 70 horses more, which is due to the challenger being equipped by a stock production car’s engine. The ACR-X on the other hand did a lap at the Nurburgring’s Nordschleife in 7:22, proving its racing prowess to one and all. Yet the 459 has been hailed as a car of the road that’s superbly built. And its before it has been subjected to the race car treatment.
There are new gear ratios provided for the racing version of the car. There is also tightly calibrated tune on the dual clutch F1 gearbox. This gives a boost to the low-end grunt while also enhancing the top-end speed to those required on a typical European circuit. The car has also been subjected to a massive weight loss exercise which aimed at striping down the interior to the bare basics and reducing the thickness of the external body panels or replaced with those made of carbon fiber. The majority of the glass portions too have been replaced by Lexan which also ensured weight reduction.
Suspension too has been given a thorough once over and brought up to the standards required for use on a race circuit. This involves the use of solid aluminiun bushing and stiffer springs along with single rate dampers and the use of center nut 19 inch allow mated to Pirelli sticks. For brake system we have carbon ceramic units made by Brembo CCM2 that also does retardation duty on 599XX and a two mode ABS system. The F1-Trac system has contributed the traction control aid so as to minimize slip while maximizing performance. There are two modes of operating this based on road surface conditions.
The other production-car element that has been incorporated directly to the race car is the E-diff electronic limited slip rear differential. This also marks the first instance of Ferrari ever putting the unit in a track only car model, which again is a clear indication of the production 458 Italia being not deficient on this aspect.
Source: motorauthority
