Racing a Ferrari Company History

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If ever there was a marque that created race cars for the road it’s Ferrari – which means that if you want to take part in some club-level motorsport, few brands are better suited to the task. The Cartwright family – Ben, Jamie and Nick – all take part in the Pirelli Ferrari formula classic (PFfc), a circuit-based race series that’s administered through the Ferrari Owners’ Club – the same group that also runs the Pirelli Ferrari Hillclimb Championship.

The PFfc has enjoyed more than 10 years of close and friendly racing and it’s open to Ferraris built up to 1997 (pre- 360 Modena) but excludes turbocharged cars. Many different tipos have proved competitive including 308 GTB/S, 328, 355 and even the 550. The most costeffective way onto the grid would be in a Mondial or 308 GT4.

To get started a road car requires only basic preparation centred on MSA safety regulations and brake cooling, although for those who want to go further there is provision for light modifications in the class structure. Drivers must be a member of the Ferrari Owners’ Club, and in possession of an MSA racing licence of minimum grade National B for UK races, and National A for any of the overseas rounds.

Nick Cartwright is clearly extremely enthusiastic about being a part of the Pirelli Ferrari formula classic: “The rounds are closely fought but we all get on wonderfully; the atmosphere is very sociable. You don’t need especially deep pockets to take part; there are typically eight rounds throughout the year and to take part in all of them you’d need to budget somewhere between £12,000 and £15,000 for the season. That assumes no crashes but it does take everything into account; fuel, race fees, brakes and tyres.

“Of the various Ferrari models campaigned, the 328 is by far the most popular as it’s so tough. To fully prepare a car for racing you’d need to spend at least £15,000 on it; that would allow for a high-quality roll cage to be fitted along with suitable seats, harnesses and brakes. We’ve had people go to all the expense of preparing their car for the circuit, only to duck out at the last minute because they’re then worried about driving competitively.

“As a result they keep their car for fast-road use instead, which can make it hard to sell on – or it’ll be the perfect buy for someone who is just getting started in circuit racing”.