Giacomo Mattioli At The Ferrari Challenge Finals

By Author: Passione Rossa
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After two years in Spain, for the World Finals that would close out the 2011 season, Ferrari decided to return to Italy to the AutodromoInternazionaledelMugello in the Tuscany region. The AutodromoInternazionaledelMugello was purchased by Ferrari many years ago; in 1974 the track was transformed into a world-class facility that welcomes series like MotoGP and DTM. It is located in an area calledScarperia, between Florence and Bologna. Mugello is as well conveniently located close to the Ferrari factory in Maranello. The Ferrari Challenge World Finals, part of the 19th running of the Ferrari FinaliMondiali, took place on Nov 4-7: all drivers from the Italian, European, North American and Asia Pacific 430’s and 458’s series competed for the World Title. The North American contenders raced simultaneously with the Italian ones. Luca di Montezemolohosted a spectacular party to honor the return of the FinaliMondiali to his homeland and to say adieu to the F430 Challenge cars, and offered every kind of Italian delicacy to his guests. The entire paddock was a mix of red and white, surrounded by a showroom at one end, and a helipad ...
... at the other. The spectacular 458 Spider was the crown jewel of the event. The rest of the paddock was dedicated to the over fifty Ferrari Challenge vehicles that represented the European, Italian, Asian, and North American series, who all race individually in their respective parts of the world through the year, but co-mingle during this final event. Giacomo Mattioli, principle of Ferrari Beverly Hills and Ferrari of Silicon Valley flew from Los Angeles to Italy for the occasion and attended both races, supporting his drivers and the rest of the team, who achieved great results in both series. About the 430 Series, Christopher Ruud (Ferrari of Silicon Valley) took the final 430 championship with 270 points, after two tremendous races, followed by Juan Hinestrosa (Ferrari of Ft. Lauderdale) with 254 and Damon Ockey (Ferrari of Ontario) with 234. At the beginning of the weekend, the point spread was very close for North America, only 36 points were separating Christopher Ruud (Ferrari of Silicon Valley), Juan Hinestrosa (Ferrari of Fort Lauderdale), and Damon Ockey (Ferrari of Ontario). Each had a chance to win, and after Ruud's fourth-place finish during the first race, it looked like either of the other two might sneak and snatch the trofeo away. During Race 2, though, Christopher Ruud put all the instruction & suggestions from his coach, crew chief, and mechanics together, and was able to secure a second place: this finish was good enough to maintain Ruud atop the standings as the season came to a close. This is Ruud's first championship in the Ferrari Challenge series and Mr. Mattioli couldn’t be any happier to be there and be able to congratulate with him in person. Ferrari Silicon Valley reached great achievement also in the 458 Series, with Harry Cheung securing a second place with 252 points, anticipated by Potolicchio (Ferrari of Fort Lauderdale), and followed by Mark McKenzie (Ferrari of Houston) whofinishedThirdwith 226 points.Potolicchio arrived first on both final races for the North American series and finished the 2011 season with eight overall race wins and 324 points. Giacomo Mattioli is proud of the Ferrari Silicon Valley driver Harry Cheung, who capped off a season of learning and improvement as a driver by coming in second in series points. The FinaliMondiali concludes the 2011 Ferrari Challenge season. Drivers, Team and spectators are already looking forward to a competitive 2012 season, when the Challenge will visit another set of world class tracks.

Giacomo Mattioli attended the 2011 Ferrari Challenge Finals. Giacomo Mattioli Ferrari Maserati Beverly Hills President, is tremendously proud of the Ferrari Beverly Hills & Ferrari Silicon Valley Team results at the FinaliMondiali. Learn more about Ferrari Beverly Hills and Giacomo Mattioli Los Angeles.