Ferrari F430 GTC (2009)

Built by Ferrari Corse Clienti, leaning heavily on the race experience of Michelotto Automobili, the F430 GTC was the most advanced and developed racing iteration of the Ferrari F430. Whilst the F430 Challenge was little more than a fettled road car, the GTC was designed to compete at the highest level it could viably compete at, FIA GT2 specification.

This development would see the car competing against the likes of Aston Martin’s DBR9, Chevrolet’s Corvette C6R and Porsche’s GT3-RSR on the global stage; the FIA GT Championship, Europe and the American Le Mans Series (ALMS) as well as the standalone 24hrs Le Mans.

The GTC would take significant victories across the board, winning its class championships in the ALMS and FIA GT Championships. GTCs scored class wins at the 2007, 2009, and 2010 12 Hours of Sebring and at the 2008 and 2009 24 Hours of Le Mans.

The preceding 360 GTC had been Ferrari’s first real foray into GT-class competition. Unusually for a replacement model, or even Ferrari Modificata evolution, the F430 GTC saw its engine displacement drop to 4.0 litres, destroked from the road variant’s 4.3 litre unit. This was to ensure the car could competitively run in the 3.8-4.0L GT2 class. The reduction in power to 439hp was compensated by a drop in overall weight.

AF Corse

AF Corse had been founded by Amato Ferrari in 1995, and whilst sharing the surname, bore no relation to Ferrari SpA. Initially entered into the Italian Superturismo Championship, AF Corse would exclusively manage Maserati’s Trofeo Cup from 2001-2005. Subsequently running the MC12 and Maserati Light Coupé, AF Corse returned to the FIA GT Championship in 2006 as Ferrari's factory-backed racing endeavour. AF Corse would win the FIA GT title with the F430 GT2 in 2006,2007,2008 and 2009.