Ferrari Challenge Japan

29 cars entered in the 296 Challenge

The third annual Ferrari Challenge Japan kicked off on April 4th. Just like last year, there will be five rounds and a total of 10 races, but the biggest difference from last year is that the participating cars have changed from the 488 Challenge Evo to the 296 Challenge. With the significantly evolved one-make racing cars, there’s no doubt that the level of competition will be even higher.

The Ferrari Challenge usually has two races per round, with one race per day, but the opening round at Suzuka Circuit, which is held in conjunction with the F1 Japanese Grand Prix, will have two qualifying rounds on Friday, followed by two races on Saturday and Sunday. 29 cars were entered in the 296 Challenge. These 29 cars were divided into the top class, Trofeo Pirelli, and the entry class, Coppa Shell, and then further divided into Expert and Amateur (Am), for a total of four classes.

Four cars were entered in the Trofeo Pirelli, which requires the most experience. Two young female drivers, Miki Koyama and Anna Inotsume, made great strides in Friday’s qualifying. Miki Koyama took pole position overall for Race 1, with Anna Inotsume coming in second by a narrow margin. In the Trofeo Pirelli Am, which had five cars competing, Motohiko Isozaki, who placed fourth last year, took the top spot in class qualifying. He was followed by Kanji Yagura, who placed third last year, and Cold Max, who placed second last year.

Aiming for the long-awaited class championship

In the Coppa Shell, which has four entries, Phil Kim, who came in second last season, took class pole position with a good time that put him in fifth place overall. He is followed by Tsutomu Shimoyama, who came in sixth last season, and Masaru Yoneda, who came in fourth. In the Coppa Shell Am, which has the largest number of entries this year, 16 cars, Ryutaro Saito, who came in second last season with four wins, took class pole position. He narrowly missed out on the class championship, and is fired up to win it this year.

The opening round will be held at Suzuka Circuit, where the F1 Japanese Grand Prix is ​​also held, with Race 1 on April 5th and Race 2 on the 6th.

PHOTO／Ferrari SpA

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