*** Welcome to piglix ***

Ferrari 333 SP

Ferrari 333 SP
Horag Hotz Ferrari 333 SP.jpg
Category Le Mans Prototype
Constructor Italy Dallara (Series One)
Italy Michelotto (Series Two)
Designer(s) Italy Dallara
Technical specifications
Chassis carbon fiber and aluminum honeycomb monocoque
Suspension (front) double wishbone, pushrod operated coil spring & damper
Suspension (rear) double wishbone, pushrod operated coil spring & damper
Engine Ferrari F310E 3997 cc V12. Naturally aspirated mid, longitudinally mounted
Transmission Ferrari 5-speed sequential manual
Competition history
Notable entrants Italy Momo Corse
United States Team Scandia
United States Euromotorsport
United States Moretti Racing
United States Doran Racing
United States Doyle-Risi Racing
France JMB Racing
Italy BMS Scuderia Italia
Monaco GLV Racing
United States Risi Competizione
Notable drivers Belgium Didier Theys
Italy Mauro Baldi
Switzerland Fredy Lienhard
Italy Giampiero Moretti
Spain Fermín Velez
France Emmanuel Collard
Italy Vincenzo Sospiri
Debut 1994 Road Atlanta Sprint race
Races Wins Poles
144 56 69
Teams' Championships 1998 IMSA GT Championship
1998 FIA Sportscar Champ.
1999 FIA Sportscar Champ.
2000 FIA Sportscar Champ.
2001 FIA Sportscar Champ.
Constructors' Championships 1995 IMSA GT Championship
1998 IMSA GT Championship
2001 FIA Sportscar Champ.
Drivers' Championships 1995 IMSA GT Championship
1998 FIA Sportscar Champ.
1999 FIA Sportscar Champ.
2000 FIA Sportscar Champ.
2001 FIA Sportscar Champ.

The Ferrari 333 SP is a sports prototype car that was built by Dallara and later Michelotto to World Sports Car regulations for Ferrari. Unveiled at the end of 1993, at the behest of amateur racer Giampiero Moretti (owner of the MOMO auto parts business), the 333 SP marked Ferrari's official return to sports car racing after a 20-year absence. The car was built to compete in the IMSA's new WSC class, which replaced the previous GTP cars.

While the 333 SP was on its planning stages, Ferrari contracted Italian motor racing chassis manufacturer Dallara to develop the chassis and tub, leaving the maker to concentrate on the engine, a version of the V12 powerplant used in the 1990 Ferrari 641 Formula One car, enlarged to 4.0 L, with power around 600 bhp (around 450 kW).

The car debuted in the third round of the 1994 IMSA GT Championship at Road Atlanta, securing the first two places. Four cars were allocated to three teams, Euromotorsport, Momo Corse, and Team Scandia. In the following round, at Lime Rock, the Italian cars monopolized the podium, and would take three more wins until the end of the season. However, due to Ferrari starting the season late, they were beaten by Oldsmobile to the makes' championship, and Andy Evans was the best placed Ferrari driver at fifth in the drivers' championship.

In 1995, the 333 SP took its revenge. Although proving unreliable at the 24 Hours of Daytona, it took top honors at the 12 Hours of Sebring before securing another four wins. With the four cars taking more consistent results, Ferrari won the makes championship and Fermín Velez won the drivers title, with Mauro Baldi and Wayne Taylor taking third and fourth, respectively. The car also made its debut at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, but was never competitive in the French race, its best result a 6th spot in 1997.


...
Wikipedia

...