The Wieth Racing 550 GTS
27.11.00

The private German team, Wieth Racing, have unveiled their racing version of the Ferrari 550 Maranello. Team owner Franz Wieth is a regular competitor in the FIA GT Championship with his son Niko - they share a Porsche GT2. Wieth has, however, always been a Ferrari fan and at one time raced in the Ferrari 348 Challenge.

This is the second time a racing version of the 550 Maranello has been built. The French team GT Racing Development announced their contender at the beginning of the 2000 season but it proved to be less than competitive and always fragile, posting a string of race retirements.

The specification of the Wieth version sounds impressive. Weight has been reduced by over 600 kilos to the regulation 1100 kilos by the extensive use of carbon and kevlar throughout. The integral roll cage structure picks up on all the main suspension points and gives the car the necessary rigidity and front and rear diffusers help with creating downforce. A rear wing is also fitted.

Wheels are 18" OZ's with a width of 12" at the front and 13" at the rear. The engine has been modified to produce around 600 bhp and draws in its air through FIA regulation air-restrictors. A sequential six-speed gearbox is used and the braking system features massive six pot calipers at the front and four pot at the rear.

In addition to the launch car a second one is already in production and further cars can be ordered at a price said to be in the region of 600,000 Euros.

If you would like to visit the Wieth Racing website click to www.Wieth-Racing.de.

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