Supreme P Zero Range for Ferrari Challenge in Italy and Europe

Milan, April 1st 2005 - The Ferrari Challenge, ready to blast off in Italy on 3 April, will produce a season packed with new developments. The changes made to the regulations of this successful trophy series, which is registering an increasingly large number of competitors and spectators, will directly involve Pirelli, exclusive tyre supplier to the Challenge from its first season in 1993. The new regulations confirm that from 2005 competitors must affront several races with their cars in configuration for " endurance" events lasting 50 minutes each, during which the drivers must make a pit stop. Based on the substantial increase in the duration of each race, Pirelli will supply teams with eight tyres per car for each race weekend. Engineer Pierluigi De Cancellis, head of Pirelli Competizioni on the track, says the new techno-sporting needs originate from this change, observing that, " At Pirelli, we have further developed the slick compounds, using innovative techniques, especially in the profile of polymers and the vulcanising system. The latter provides greater resistance to higher temperatures, also guarantees a notable constancy of yield and preserves a high degree of tread compound softness" . The Milanese technician also points out, " The progress shown by the new P Zero in tests at various circuits has resulted in average times of over a second a lap less than the tyre used previously. However, we should stress that these developments are to be seen strictly in relation to experience acquired in the use of the Ferrari 360 GTC in the FIA-GT Championship last year". Those variations in the regulations concern the Ferrari Challenge events to take place in Italy and Europe, while the 2004 formula that disciplined the series in the United States remains unchanged. As mentioned, Pirelli is Ferrari's exclusive partner in the supply of P Zeroes for the various Challenge series organised throughout the world and in which the extraordinary 360 Modena Challenge competes. The tyres produced by Pirelli always win unanimous approval from the teams and drivers who compete in these spectacular single-marque trophy events, created by Ferrari Corse Clienti. More information and photographs on Pirelli's motor sport activities: www.pirellicompetizioni.com