Race Car Service and Repair Bay Area - ZR Auto’s Ferrari Enzo ZXX Returns to Edo Competition For Upgrades - Zucchi Motorsports Sonoma - 707-334-3700

It’s no surprise that Canadian supercar enthusiast and ZR Auto owner, Zahir Rana, loved speed. His Ferrari Enzo was rebuilt into the world’s only street legal Ferrari FXX, and now the car has returned to its builders at Edo Competition in Ahlen, Germany.

The latest news is that the Ferrari Enzo ZXX is getting some new handling modifications and is also getting some engine modifications as well, with the goal of beating the LaFerrari’s top speed, making it the fastest street legal Ferrari in the world. We hope the team at Edo Competition can pull this off!

Edo Competition is currently awaiting parts for the car, but soon the famed Ferrari is rumored to be put to the test to see if it can in fact beat a LaFerrari’s top speed.

“I want my car to go faster than the LaFerrari,” said Zahir Rana. “I know my car won’t beat the acceleration of the LaFerrari, but I want it to be faster. I want my car to be the fastest Ferrari out there.”

Details are being kept secret for now, but it’s assumed that Edo Competition will be aiming for an even larger engine displacement, new crank and cylinders, injectors, better intake, exhaust setup and more.

The rebuilt car, which debuted in 2013, sports a new V12 motor, now displacing 6.5-liters and is capable of putting out 950 horsepower.

Now we wait to find out what Edo Competiton and ZR Auto have planned for the new modifications to the Ferrari Enzo ZXX.

source: http://www.gtspirit.com/2015/01/23/zr-autos-ferrari-enzo-zxx-returns-to-edo-competition-for-upgrades/

by Matthew Hayhurst

Race Car Service and Repair Bay Area - Ferrari 308 GTB Group B Rally Car Heading to Auction [Photo Gallery] - Zucchi Motorsports Sonoma - 707-334-3700

Let's face it - those gentlemen in the market for their first ever retro ride won't go all-out and spend a mountain of green dollar bills on a Lamborghini Miura or a historic racer like the Jaguar D-Type Works Long Nose. With a budget of around €30k, there are lots of less coveted machines waiting in dealership lots.

There's the Alfa Romeo Giulia or a Jaguar XJS, a Lancia Delta rally-bred hot hatch, a Citroen DS 21 and the W113-gen Mercedes-Benz 230 SL Pagoda. God forbid you from spending your money on a contraption such as the Ferrari Mondial. If you want a Prancing Horse, you're better off buying the iconic 308 V8 bruiser.

Whereas the 308 GT4 is less desirable due to its 2+2 configuration and Bertone styling, the 308 GTB/GTS are the ones to look for, especially fiberglass models fed by carburetors, not the injected and steel body models made at the end of the 1970s. If you do have a big budget and want to spend it on one of the best 308s out there, then maybe this 1978 Ferrari 308 GTB Group B rally car may be to your liking. Beware though - its value may put off most 308 potential buyers.

Converted to Group B specification and raced by 1980 European Rally Champion and nine-time Spanish Rally Champion Antonio Zanini, this Fezza also boasts with Ferrari Classiche historic vehicle certification.

Curious about the oily bits? Well, you're looking at 280 bhp from a 3-liter DOHC 16-valve transversely mounted V8 motor with Weber carburetors, mated to a five-speed close-ratio manual transmission.

The suspension features a double wishbone independent layout for both the front and rear axles, while the brakes are high-performance units from AP Lockheed with vented discs. Since it was last raced in 1985, the car only covered around 20 kilometers (12.5 miles), after receiving a thorough restoration of all the vital components (suspension, brakes, engine-out service, rebuilt ignition, the whole nine yards).

source: http://www.autoevolution.com/news/ferrari-308-gtb-group-b-rally-car-heading-to-auction-photo-gallery-91522.html

by Mircea Panait

Race Car Service and Repair Bay Area - Ferrari Reveals one-off F12 Berlinetta Tour de France 64 - Zucchi Motorsports Sonoma - 707-334-3700

Ferrari has traveled to the Dream Cars section of the Brussels Motor Show to introduce a one-off F12berlinetta.

Designed and built by Ferrari's Tailor Made division, the custom F12berlinetta Tour de France 64 is a tribute to the 250 GTO that Lucien Bianchi and Georges Berger drove to victory in the 1964 edition of the Tour de France Automobile. 

The one-off F12 is painted in a shade of silver called Argento Auteil that is accented by a yellow cross-stripe on the hood. Ferrari says the yellow is a modern take on the Modena Yellow hue that adorned the 250s raced by Ecurie Francorchamps in the 1960s. 

Most of the updates are found in the cockpit, where the F12 gains body-colored aluminum trim with yellow accents and seats upholstered with vintage-looking tobacco heritage Mahagoni leather upholstery. A triangular metal pattern on the floor harks back to the 1960s while the headliner is upholstered in Mycro Prestige, a water-repellent and breathable fabric. 

Ferrari has not made any mechanical modifications, meaning the Tour de France 64 is powered by a stock F12berlinetta-sourced naturally-aspirated 6.3-liter V12 engine that makes 730 horsepower and 509 lb-ft. of torque. The sprint from zero to 60 mph takes 3.1 seconds and top speed is reached at 211 mph.

The one-off F12 will likely be sold after the Brussels Motor Show. How much of a premium the Tour de France 64 commands over a stock F12 is not known. 

source: http://www.leftlanenews.com/ferrari-f12berlinetta-tour-de-france-64.html
by Ronan Glon

Race Car Service and Repair Bay Area - 1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4 - Zucchi Motorsports Sonoma - 707-334-3700

Posted by Bob DeKorne on Wednesday, January 14, 2015 in Articles, Vehicle Spotlight

In late 1966, Ferrari used the Paris Motor Show to debut the latest development of its 275 GTB, the V-12 berlinetta that had been introduced to replace the long-running 250 series just two years earlier. With the addition of a second overhead camshaft to each cylinder bank, Ferrari squeezed one final iteration out of the venerable 60-degree, short-block Colombo motor that had powered the 250 and early 275 models, and in the process, they created the first dual overhead-cam engine ever used in a Ferrari road car. The new engine was equipped with six Weber carburetors, which was previously just an option on the single-cam motor, and its configuration distinguished itself by developing 20 horsepower more than the unit on which it was based.

The newly christened 275 GTB/4, aptly named for its four-cam valve actuation, did not visually compromise any aspects of the prior 275 GTB’s beautiful Pininfarina body design, as it only added a sporty raised hood bulge to accommodate the revised engine’s additional hardware. The 275 GTB/4 is increasingly being deemed by many Ferrari collectors to be the best-looking performing variant of the late 1960s V-12 berlinetta, and its collectability is increased by the fact that it was produced in a sparing quantity of approximately 330 examples. The model’s rarity, ever-rewarding performance characteristics, and classic good looks have made it one of the most celebrated grand touring Ferraris of all time.

For many cognoscenti, the Ferrari 275 was the best looking of all Ferrari GTs in berlinetta form, which is attested by a roll call of such celebrity owners as James Coburn, George Harrison, Steve McQueen,Miles Davis, Eric Clapton, Clint Eastwood, and Peter Sellers. In 1964, it boasted Ferrari’s first transaxle and all-round independent suspension, but after just a couple of years, it was majorly updated and uprated. Significant developments included not just the introduction of the smoother and more powerful dry-sump, four-cam engine but also a redesigned transaxle and steadying torque tube. With 300 brake horsepower at 8,000 rpm from the 3,286-cubic centimeter V-12, the 275 GTB/4 was capable of 0–60 mph in 5.5 seconds and a top speed of 163 mph.

In all, fewer than 300 Ferrari 275 GTB/4s were built, and they could easily be identified by their longer boot hinges and longer nose, which was a feature that was introduced for the berlinettas in 1966 to prevent high-speed lift. These 275 GTB/4s remain as exotic and coveted today as they were in period.

source: http://www.heacockclassic.com/articles/1967-ferrari-275-gtb4/

Race Car Service and Repair Bay Area - 5 Things To Know About The 2016 Ford GT So Far - Zucchi Motorsports Sonoma - 707-334-3700

We were reminded what a genuine surprise feels like when the stunning 2016 Ford GT was unveiled at the 2015 Detroit Auto Show.

Although it is only January, it would not be a surprise if the daring new supercar by the American automotive giant would become the most significant car of 2015.

Here are the five things you should know about the new Ford GT:

Ford GT Specs: Gone are the days of the 427 V8 motor that won at Le Mans for three years in a row. The new era of Ford power is all about Ecoboost. The 2016 Ford GTpacks a 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine that promises more than 600 hp to the rear wheels.

The new Ecoboost Ford GT engine is derived from Ford's Daytona Prototype competition engine that won the 12 Hours of Sebring in the United SportsCar Championship series last year. Ford is still keeping details close to the chest but we know the high-performance Ecoboost features port dual fuel-injection system as well as a specialized low-friction valvetrain that delivers instant engine response.

The 3.5-liter twin-turbo Ecoboost power unit is mated to a seven-speed dual clutch transmission. Unfortunately, the radical Ford GT will not have a traditional H-pattern manual gearbox.

Other notable mechanical details include an ultra lightweight chassis with a carbon fiber monocoque as well as front and rear aluminum subframes. The Ford GT will also sport a carbon fiber body. According to Ford, "The GT will exhibit one of the best power-to-weight ratios of any production car." Finally, the Ford GT also boasts a motorsport designed inboard pushrod suspension and active-aero wings that improve downforce and braking.

Ford GT Competition: Don't let its blue collar Blue Oval origins fool you-- the high performance mid-engine supercar will be up against the greats including the McLaren 650S, Lamborghini Huracan, the upcoming Porsche 911 GT3 RS, as well as a future turbocharged Ferrari M458-T. The Chevy Corvette Z06 should apply domestic pressure as well.

Ford GT Price: The 2005 Ford GT arrived on the market with an MSRP of $149,995, close to ten percent off the price of a Ferrari 430. Expect Ford to apply a similar pricing strategy and offer the new 2016 Ford GT within the low $200,000-range, just under the price tag of a Ferrari 458 Speciale.

Ford GT Release Date: Ford has yet to announce a launch date of the new GT supercar, but according to sources from Forza Motorsport 6, the Ford GT will likely closely coincide its arrival with the video game's late 2015 release date.

Ford GT In Motorsport: The carbon fiber monocoque and pushrod suspension isn't for show: the American automaker aims to field the 2016 Ford GT in its return to the 24 Hours of Le Mans for 2016. For the automotive historians, 2016 marks exactly 50 years since Ford took its first Le Mans victory in 1966 when the legendary trio of Ford GT40 racing cars finished first, second, and third across the finish line. 

source: http://www.carscoops.com/2015/01/5-things-to-know-about-2016-ford-gt-so.html
By Danny Choy

Race Car Service and Repair Bay Area - 2016 Ferrari FF M Spy Video - Zucchi Motorsports Sonoma - 707-334-3700

In Fiat Chrisler Automobiles’ [NYSE:FCAU] five-year strategy announcement for Ferrari, it was revealed that the Italian maker of some of the finest supercars on the planet planned to give its cars a lifespan of about eight years, with a significant update—Modificato in Ferrari-speak—after the first four years.

We saw this first with the transition of the California to the latest California T in 2014, and later this year we’ll see the 458 Italia receive its update. With the FF originally going on sale as a 2012 model, an updated version of the four-wheel-drive grand tourer is due in the next year or two, and it appears we now have our first look at a prototype for the updated car.

A video uploaded to YouTube by supercar spotter Marchettino shows engineers testing a version of the FF at the Fiorano test track with a makeshift exhaust system. According to onlookers, the sound the car made was much louder than normal, which together with the makeshift exhaust suggests that a more potent version of the FF’s 6.3-liter V-12 is being developed or perhaps a new engine altogether.

According to a previous report, the updated FF will maintain a naturally aspirated V-12 but have an output close to 700 horsepower instead of the current 651-hp rating. The car will also maintain its 4RM all-wheel-drive system albeit with revisions to enhance performance.

A new V-8 option is said to be in the hopper, to increase the car’s appeal, though the move would be strange given Ferrari’s preference for only a single engine for its respective models. Instead, we may see the V-8 reserved for a more coupe-like FF variant that may also be in the works.

The final mechanical update is said to be a new eight-speed transmission instead of the FF’s existing seven-speed dual-clutch unit. The extra gear will allow a tall overdrive in top gear to reduce fuel consumption and help Ferrari reach its emissions targets.

As for the styling, this is likely to feature only evolutionary updates, like those we saw in the California’s transition to the California T. Interestingly, the previous report also stated that we may see some carbon fiber and other composite materials employed above the waistline to help lower the car’s center of gravity.

source: Motorauthority

by Viknesh Vijayenthiran

Race Car Service and Repair Bay Area - Watch The Daytona Prototype Flip From Onboard The DeltaWing - Zucchi Motorsports Sonoma - 707-334-3700

Earlier today, the #50 Highway to Help Riley-BMW Daytona Prototype flipped into the catch fence, halting the morning practice session at the Roar Before the 24. Here's a video of the crash to show you just how violent it really was, and how lucky driver Byron DeFoor was to escape unharmed.

Daytona Prototype Flip Halts Practice Session At The Roar Before The 24

The Saturday morning test session at the Roar Before the 24 was cut short when the #50 Highway to…Read more

Because the Roar Before the 24 is just a test day, there isn't a lot of official video of the event, but many teams run video on their cars to watch and analyze later. Here's a clip from on top of one of the DeltaWing's rear arches, via RACER. Per the video description:

Ride with DeltaWing's Memo Rojas as [Byron] DeFoor in the Highway to Help Riley-BMW DP gets airborne and flips at approximately 190mph in the distance during testing at Daytona.

Rojas runs over debris on entry to Turn 1, which did enough damage to cause his car to crash afterwards.

DeFoor was uninjured in the crash and the team says it will have the car repaired in time for the Rolex 24 at Daytona on Jan, 23-25. The Highway to Help entry is owned by AC/DC lead singer Brian Johnson.

While it is unfortunately a bit far away, it does give you a sense of the debris trail a flip like this can leave on the track as well as how quickly faster traffic catches up to it.

It's amazing that no one was hurt in the accident, with driver Byron DeFoor from the #50 DP being released shortly after the accident by on-site medical staff. The builder of the #50 car's tube frame deserves a huge box of cookies and a hug, to say the least.

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source: http://blackflag.jalopnik.com/watch-the-daytona-prototype-flip-from-onboard-the-delta-1678741828 by Stef Schrader

Race Car Service and Repair Bay Area - French Chateau Hosts an Insane Collection of Cars, Motorcycles and Jets - Zucchi Motorsports Sonoma - 707-334-3700

Paris is certainly on mind in light of recent events, which reminds us of a peculiar place just two hours south of the city. Mere kilometers from Beaune (which is the heart of the Burgundy wine country) in a little two-road town sits a strangely fascinating winery called Chateau de Savigney-lès-Beaune.

At first glance it’s your typical 14th century French masterpiece complete with a vineyard, moat and a whole lot of history. Then as you wander the grounds, you notice…is that an F16?!?

As you meander deeper through the grounds, you realize that this place is an eerily, if almost haunted graveyard of some 75-plus fighter planes including everything from Migs to Mirages, as well as a rare collection of cars, motorcycles, tractors, fire engines and over 2,000 model planes.

The fighters sit in a huge field behind the Chateau, just rotting away neatly organized by time period and country of service. Their ghostly carcasses bask in the vineyards as their history almost speaks to you. It’s kinda creepy.

As you wander deeper, barn doors open, where inside are old farm tractors dating back over a hundred years. In the tent in back of the image below are some old fire engines.

But it gets better. Chateau de Savigney-lès-Beaune is home to a massive Abarth racing car and prototype collection which is one of the rarest in the world. The rides just sit in an ancient building where I actually had to turn the lights on myself. There are over 30 models and apparently the owner of the Chateau used to race many of them.

Inside the main building is one of the fascinating parts. As you walk up a few flights of majestic stairs, you end in rooms and rooms of what, in essence, is one of the largest motorcycle museums in the world. Over 250 bikes dating all the way back to 1902, and just about everything is represented and organized perfectly. Nortons, Vincents, Velocette, MV and more — it’s absolutely mind-boggling. This room is just filled with old bikes. Lots of them.

Strange? Yes. Awesome? Also yes. Think about it, someone owns a French winery and just collects massive amounts of rare jets, cars and motorcycles. I have a new hero.

source: Boldride

by Mark Fortner