Although no official pictures have been released a number are already circulating on the Internet.

Ferrari have said that for the 2006 season this new 483-bhp car will initially compete alongside the 360 Challenge, subsequently replacing the outgoing model. Ferrari's engineers are currently developing the new model and initial results are said to be extremely positive - apparently the car weighs less than 1,250 kg and is 2 seconds faster than the 360 Challenge around Fiorano.

Ferrari says "The F430 Challenge is intended to exalt the driving skills of the numerous privateers and gentlemen drivers that race in Ferrari's highly popular Challenge series, and virtually all forms of electronic driver assistance that feature on the road car - ESP, the manettino and the E-Diff settings - have been removed". This should make it a good test for some of the gentlemen drivers.

In the meantime development of the 430 GT racer is already well under way at Michelotto, with the first two cars scheduled for an unnamed British team.

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