The Third Race of 2012 North American Ferrari Challenge Series Begins GRAND-AM Road Racing Friday, May 18

ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, N.J., May 18, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Starting today, Friday, May 18 – Sunday, May 20, the third race of the 2012 North American Ferrari Challenge Series GRAND-AM Road Race will take place against the picturesque backdrop of the Monterey Peninsula, California at the legendary Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca track.

Launched in 1994 in North America, the Ferrari Challenge is a single-marquee racing series designed to give Ferrari owners the opportunity to compete with fellow Ferrari owners on some of the greatest race tracks in the U.S. and Canada.  The challenge also gives Ferrari enthusiasts the chance to enjoy watching Ferraris put through their paces at the race track. 

"There is perhaps no better way to experience the passion of Ferrari together with the technology and engineering excellence of our cars than to attend the Ferrari Challenge racing days," says Marco Mattiacci, President & CEO, Ferrari North America. "True to the spirit of Ferrari, the competition at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca will be intense," Mattiacci concludes.

Spectators are welcome to attend the race.  Tickets are now available through the Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca website (www.MazdaRaceway.com) or by calling the Ticket Office at: (800) 327-7322 or (831) 242-8269, 8am - 5pm PST, Monday – Friday. VIP Hospitality Packages to the Ferrari Challenge can be purchased by contacting the Ferrari Concierge at (866) 551-2828.

The Corse Clienti Department's 599XX "evolution," FXX and F1 Clienti programs will also participate on the track, adding to the excitement of the GRAND-AM Road Racing at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.  Competitors will drive the Ferrari 458 Challenge exclusively, which debuted at the start of the 2011 Ferrari Challenge series, and is derived from the spectacular 458 Italia road car.  

Based on the results of the second Ferrari Challenge weekend of the 2012 season, held at Infineon Raceway near Sonoma, Calif., April 27-29, this third leg of the series at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca promises to be no less exhilarating for drivers and spectators alike.

At Infineon Raceway, Ferrari owner Harry Cheung took first place, driving the Ferrari of Beverly Hills 458 Challenge. Starting in third place on the grid, Cheung immediately roared into the lead, and never relinquished it to get the checkered flag.  Second place went to  Central Florida Ferrari owner Onofrio Triarsi, who drove a great race to climb up the order to second place from twelfth, while Richard Fant from Houston came in third.

Poleman Ryan Ockey (Ferrari of Ontario) took a well deserved win in the Coppa Shell, finishing fourth overall ahead of Jose Valera (Ferrari of Fort Lauderdale) and Robert Herjavec (Ferrari of Ontario.)

The 2012 Ferrari Challenge continues to the following racing venues:

Montreal, Canada, (during the Canadian F1 Grand Prix), June 8-10
Toronto, Canada, July 6-8
Lime Rock Park, CT, July 20-21
Homestead Miami Speedway, FL, September 28-30

The Ferrari Challenge Series is organized by Ferrari North America, Inc., and sanctioned by the Grand American Road Racing Association.  Complete Challenge information can be found on www.ferrarichallenge.com. 

Ferrari North America, Inc. is headquartered in Englewood Cliffs, N.J., and is the exclusive North, Central and South American importer of Ferrari vehicles including the 458 Italia, 458 Spider, the California and FF Grand Tourers, and the newly unveiled Ferrari F12berlinetta. For more information please visit www.ferrariusa.com. 

SOURCE Ferrari North America, Inc.