The Ferrari F40 Competizione
Why It's Special:
After a lengthy absence from closed cockpit racing, Ferrari finally decided to return in the late ‘80s with their legendary F40. Due to the ever increasing complexity of running a top level Grand Prix team, Ferrari let long time motorsport partner Michelotto handle the development. The goal from the beginning was to produce a car that could be competitive in a wide array of championships.
For the new F40 Competizione, Michelotto began by extensively lightening and strengthening the car with carbon fiber, making it able to withstand the extreme forces of motor racing. The suspension was completely revised with larger anti-roll bars, Koni springs and dampers. Obviously, brakes had to be upgraded: enormous 355mm Brembo ventilated disc brakes with 4-piston calipers were fitted front and rear, along with substantial improvements in brake ducting to keep them cool. Unique wheels were supplied by OZ Racing, constructed from magnesium they measured 17x12” up front and 17x14.5” out back. Customers had a choice of either Goodyear or Pirelli Corsa racing slicks, with the rears measuring 375mm in diameter.
Under the Hood:
Now why would one need 750mm of rubber out back? Well the answer lies in a 3.0 liter DOHC V8 fitted with twin IHI turbochargers. Engineers held nothing back and dumped as much turbo-era F1 knowledge as they possibly could under the Lexan engine cover. Designated Tipo 120B, it boosted 2.6bar (38.2psi) of Behr-intercooled air into its combustion chambers and cranked out 780hp @ 8,100rpm! Torque was a stump pulling 526 lb-ft @ 5,700rpm! To put these numbers in perspective, the Ferrari F1 drivers of 1989 -- now forced to use naturally-aspirated engines -- only had 600bhp under their right foot.
Final race weight checked in at 2,300 pounds (1,050 kilograms) and, as you can imagine, the F40’s performance tested even the bravest and most daring pilots; 0-60mph was dispatched in a traction-limited 3.1 seconds and the top speed reported at the Nardo Speed Bowl was 229mph. Aerodynamic enhancements included an aggressive carbon fiber front splitter, NACA ducting everywhere and an adjustable rear spoiler. In the cockpit drivers found an OMP Racing bucket seat, a digital telemetry display, a 5-speed gated shifter linked to non-synchromesh or “crashbox” Ferrari transmission, a fire extinguisher and not much else.
The Verdict:
Over 30,000 kilometers of development work was carried out by Dario Benuzzi and the list of drivers who drove this car in anger is nothing short of legendary. They included multiple F1 victors Jean Alesi, Jean-Pierre Jabouille, and multiple Paris-Dakar champion Jean-Louis Schlesser. Racing success proved sparse due to the hectic racing climate of the late 1980’s and early 1990’s. However that doesn’t detract from the F40 Competizione’s cars legacy in our book… Just listen to that engine, bellissimo!
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