Unlike most of my peers these days, I have a vast appreciation for classical music. For those who share my view on the subject, pedigree and tradition often coincide with that appreciation. To me, there is no question who best packages music, pedigree and tradition together while allowing a fair bit of room for evolution. The answer is Ferrari. Throughout their history, Ferrari has constantly evolved the brand, its technology and its cars but has never failed to keep the feel of pedigree and tradition within them. This is why Ferrari is so loved within the motorsports community, Ferrari has a dedication not only to delivering the performance demanded by its clients, but the inherent passion and soul Maranello has hand-crafted into every motor they make; from the 458 Italia’s 4.5 litre V-8 to the all-new FF’s 6.2 litre V-12 (which I believe is a menacingly handsome looking car). The result of which is an awe-inspiring noise, as exhaust gases come screaming out of every exhaust Ferrari makes they help draw out a muscular quantity of Italian Stallions from the motor. 

The goal of Ferrari’s 458 challenge race series, besides to let owners compete with dealership sponsored cars, seems to be to let those people who appreciate a truly amazing brand be able to see Ferrari’s continued dedication not only to the performance and structural beauty of its automobiles but to the glorious symphony that their V-8s and V-12s create while racing through the undulating hills of tracks everywhere. It is truly an experience and I would urge anyone who has not gone to a challenge race to do so; the next one will be at Mazda Laguna Seca from May 18th-20th. I will be attending for the entire event and am impatiently

waiting to be able to hear and see Ferrari’s technical marvels again, including the 599xx evolutizione and Bud Moeller’s own F2003 Rubens Barrichello Formula One car. Hope to see you there,

Jon Gallenstein

-story and photography by Jon Gallenstein.