Ferrari Challenge returns to Laguna Seca
LAGUNA SECA — Seven months after it began, the Ferrari Challenge North America this weekend will return to where it started.
The finale of the six-event series began with a test event in February at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca and will have its full circle moment over three days beginning Friday.
The series is divided into Ferrari classes: Trofeo Pirelli (professional) Trofeo Pirelli Am (amateurs), Coppa Shell (less competitive amateurs) and Coppa Shell Am (less competitive race).
Following early weekend “free” practices, qualifying occurs Saturday followed by two races in each category Sunday.
This weekend’s event is the seventh of the eight-race series at WeatherTech Raceway. The season began May 2-4 with the SpeedTour and ends Sept. 26-28 at GridLife Laguna.
“The Ferrari Challenge event is truly one of the highlights of the year at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca,” said Mel Harder, WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca president and general manager.
“It’s incredible to see our facility transformed with Ferrari red and the paddock filled with beautiful machines. It’s an exciting opportunity to see so many amazing Ferraris on and off the track, and I encourage everyone to come out to enjoy a fun weekend.”
Morning practice sessions begin at 8:30 a.m., with the three-day schedule continuing through the scheduled 2:55 p.m. Ferrari Challenge Race #2 on Sunday.
If the season trend follows, American Massimo Perrina of Seattle will be the overwhelming favorite.
Racing on Go-karts since age 11, Perrina began competing in his current series in 2022. He dominated the diverse series in 2024. Two races each were held in Pirelli Coppa Shell and 488 Challenge EVO classes.
He has repeated his success this season. While winning five straight races, he’s likely to win the Trofeo Pirelli championship. Last year, Perrina won both races in the 488 Challenge Evo classes and he also claimed the season’s championship.
With the series final pending, Perrina has a nearly 50-point lead over Dylan Medler.
Brad Fauyre (Ferrari San Francisco) holds a 25-point lead over Sebastian Mascaro in the Trofeo Pirelli Am class. David Musial (Ferrari Lake Forest) is third, trailing by 44 points.
Yahn Bernier (Ferrari of Seattle) and Mitchell Green (Ferrari Westlake) have competed at the front of the Coppa Shell division. Bernier leads his rival by 11 points, with Gary Ott (Ferrari Philadelphia) a distant third.
In the Coppa Shell Am division, Gabe Hrib (Ferrari of Atlanta) leads Michael Owens (Ferrari of Alberta) by 16 points. Louis Flory (Ferrari of Houston) has either won or podiumed in the last five Ferrari Challenge races and is in third place. Two testing days precede official on-track activity at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.
The Ferrari Challenge Series began on the Monterey Peninsula in 1994. The circuit’s history also includes Laguna Seca stops from 2017 through 2020 and visits in 2011, 2012 and 2014.
Various ticket packages are available at www.weathertechraceway.com.
All Ferrari Challenge races will stream live on the Ferrari YouTube channel and FerrariRaces.com.
