Motorsport Series News for March 9, 2022-30 Years of Ferrari Challenge and More

This week ‘s Motorsport Series News has a number of important developments in various motorsport series across the world including from the USA, Italy, South Africa and Europe.

With the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine, I have been updating my original post that I started in my regular Business of Motorsport column from last Friday that dealt with the implications of this invasion to international motorsport. You will find updated news regarding the FIA and FIM’s decisions and the status of various championships, teams and drivers in light of these decisions. The last update (as of this writing) was March 9, 2022.

Single Seater News

• The Italian Automobile Federation (AciSport) has chosen the Wolf GB08 Thunder as the only car allowed to participate in the Italian Sports Prototype Championship from 2018 to 2022. Available in 1.0 liter or 1.1 versions, it is also the car suitable for track days and hill climb. According to Wolf Racing Cars, the Wolf GB08 Thunder “was born with the aim of being a fast and easy to drive race car that allows gentleman drivers to easily obtain exceptional performance thanks to its incredible weight / power ratio of 1.71 (378 kg x 220 hp).”

• Formula 2 and Formula 3 teams have given their take on the logistical considerations of a second big calendar switch in two years as they embark on a record-length season. As Formula Scout reports, the teams are not expecting F2 and F3 changes to be a bigger logistics challenge than last year.

• Speaking of Formula 2, The Checkered Flag takes a closer look at the Dallara F2/18 running in the current championship.

• Racers Behind the Helmet looks at the teams competing in the W Series with the recent conclusion of Barcelona Testing.

• Support is growing for a new IndyCar chassis in tandem with the hybrid powerplant that has been delayed until 2024 according to Racer.com. Helio Castroneves: “This (DW12) car has been here since 2012. They did a great job, but in my opinion, if we’re going to do this new engine, we have to do it the right way.”

• Formula E has officially announced that the Cape Town E-Prix is set to join the 2023 calendar after a year delay. Construction of the circuit will begin next month, with work planned to be completed by December.

• Formula E has also discussed that they are seeking to build a driver development program for young drivers aspiring to race in the all-electric series. The event’s promoters are “trying to lay solid foundations by scheming the creation of pre-Formula E categories, similar to what happens at F1 or the World Rally Championship, whose drivers go through several stages before reaching the elite.”

Sports Cars

• The Ferrari Challenge has begun its 30th anniversary with racing kicking off last week at COTA. Not only that but the track hosted a special gathering of historic Ferrari Challenge race cars. Sporting their original liveries of the period, one example of each of the cars used over the series’ 30 year history will be on display for the spectators and paddock to enjoy throughout the weekend. Some even took to the track to get a few laps in to revive some long-lost memories and experiences. The weekend according to Racer.com concluded on a high note. You can find out more about the Ferrari Challenge with my Ferrari Challenge Primer.

• Peugeot announced that they would not be debuting their brand new 9X8 at Le Mans this year and Peugeot Sport’s Olivier Jansonnie explains why. Autosport Plus offers their take on the reasoning arguing why they couldn’t afford to take a Le Mans gamble in 2022.

• And while Peugeot is still planning to debut their new car on the track this year, a “complicated” Porsche LMDh project facing is facing an “uphill battle” according to Team Penske president Tim Cindric. “I couldn’t imagine starting any later than we did. When you look at it, we’re really the first ones on track and we’re looking at it thinking to be ready for Daytona next year, it’s an uphill battle to get there.”

• The Sports Car Championship Canada presented by Michelin (SCCC) will make its debut appearance at Exhibition Place during the Honda Indy Toronto weekend, July 15-17. In just its second year of operation, the SCCC will be on full display at one of the largest motorsport events in Canada, the Honda Indy Toronto.

• Meanwhile the Porsche Sprint Cup Challenge Middle East joins the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix support package.

• Finally, it may have slipped from your focus lately but the Trans Am Series is alive and well after a triumphant opener at Sebring. It is 56 years old with capacity grids and great racing, much as it always has.

Other Motorsport Series

• The NHRA has announced changes to their street legal rules for faster cars allowing them to run as quickly as 9.0 seconds in the quarter mile. The change comes after production cars continue to become quicker and safer. Street Legal class cars will require all of their factory safety features and can’t have modified firewalls, underbody structures, or floor pans.

• Finally, Mubadala Capital is investing $50 Million in the FIM Supercross World Championship, a new motorcycle racing event. The goal, according to SX Global President Tony Cochrane, is to turn the series into a “leading global motorsport and entertainment property.”