Suzuka, 16 March


Preparations are underway at the Suzuka circuit for this weekend’s Ferrari Racing Days, the special event which features two races in the Asia Pacific Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli. Also on the card, track time for owners involved in the non-competitive XX and F1 programmes. For the latter, they will get the chance to see how they measure up at the wheel of their own cars, alongside professional drivers like Davide Rigon, making his debut as a tutor for owners of historic Ferrari Formula 1 cars. Today, also featured a presentation of the new 599XX evolution package, introduced at the end of 2011.

The unveiling featured a technical briefing about the new aerodynamic kit that will see an increase in performance for a car that already represents one of the highest levels of Ferrari technology. The busy track programme also included three free practice sessions for the Ferrari Challenge APAC competitors to get to grips with the Suzuka circuit. Not only is it the home of the Japanese GP, it also has reputation for being tough on cars and drivers alike.


Also out during the Challenge practice was guest of honour Mika Salo. The Finn will tackle both races of the one-make series before doing a demonstration run at the wheel of an F2008, offering a great spectacle to all the fans of the Ferrari world. “It’s nice to be driving a Ferrari and even more so at a track like Suzuka,” said the Finn, for whom the Japanese track was the scene of two important moments in his career: it was here in 1994 he made his F1 debut and it was also here that it ended after eight years in the blue riband category.