Le Bella Machina (sponsored by C.A.R.S.) 06.29.02

Back at Pocono! 

But with a different car!  I sold the 550M to make room for a 355 Challenge Car.  I’ve searched for the right one, and last month, bought a car that seemed to meet my requirements.  

Looking forward to put it on the track, I acceded to a Pocono weekend (this track is problematic; very high speed banked sections, followed by an infield – technical section – that is not too challenging).  But it’s close, and it gives an indication of what the car can do.  For me, it’s not a driver satisfaction track. 

We were at the Belle Machina event, a collection of Italian marvels.  There were many exotics of Italian origin, including Lamborgini’s, Maserati’s, an Iso Griffo, two fabulous 333sp’s, as well as others ( a beautiful 962 Porsche).  This is fun as we don’t always get to see cars other than Ferrari. 

JT Motorsports was there with the car and ready to go.  I had great trepidation getting into the car for the first run, and took it slow; let’s see what this will do, and do some careful laps.  

Over the first day we ‘sorted’ it, making sure everything worked as planned, and then I started to put on some speed to see what it, and I could do. 

The bottom line:  great car, lot’s of guts from the fresh engine!  All else working well. 

Some adjustment to the brakes, and I went out again and bettered my times, while getting a better feel for the car. 

There are always some little things that need sorting, for example, the seat etc, and these were no brainers.  Others have to do with how a 355 C handles and sounds, and how to take on this track, and that takes more time.  

My friend peter, 355C owner, drove the car and gave it a thumbs up.  Good suggestions too, about various adjustments.  

I ended Sunday with a safe, satisfying day at Pocono, knowing that the car I bought would deliver. 

Monday:  great morning.  Clear day, albeit hot.  I now wanted to see what the car would do and sort out the remaining issues.  I had three runs, and each bettered the last.  I shut down after the third, running 1:35’s and feeling better and better about the car, it’s setup, and everything in general.  I had many other Ferrari club friends there and got to ‘mix it up’ them on track, and that was great fun.  This isn’t racing (like our Spec Racer Ford SCCA stuff), but it is a great and different perspective of these tracks, with fabulous machinery.  

A well run, safe event, that I look forward too again.