Ferrari

Ferrari F355 Challenge

Back in April 2005, I took a trip up to Bruntingthorpe Proving Ground in Leicester where a race-prepped Ferrari F355 Challenge was waiting for me.

To the more uninitiated, the Challenge is essentially a modified F355 Berlinetta, with a stripped-down interior featuring a full roll cage, racing wheel, Sparco bucket seats and safety harnesses in place of standard seat belts. On the outside, the Challenge also gets bigger brakes – 14-inch Brembos to be precise, which nestle inside 18-inch Speedline alloys wearing Pirelli slicks. Underneath, the Challenge has an upgraded lightweight exhaust system and a competition clutch. The weight saving over the standard car is around 100kg. It’s all a bit serious.

The 380bhp mid-engined V8 supercar dispenses with 60mph in under five seconds and goes on to a top speed of 186mph. The Pininfarina styling is timeless – the car still looks fantastic from every angle more than a decade after its launch. The Challenge, with its rear wing and graphics-laden exterior is not as elegant as the Berlinetta, but the best features remain and, most importantly of all, it is definitively a Ferrari.

As it was the first supercar I’d driven, I took a naturally cautious approach when moving away for the first lap. One of the most unforgettable qualities of the 355 is the symphony it produces. In my mind, it’s one of the most recognisable exhaust notes of any car. I couldn’t help myself from prodding the throttle...

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