Hundreds of Ferrari and Maserati Photos in Our Racing Days Gallery
It felt like the U.S. GP at Indianapolis all over again. The race track was filled only with Ferraris, albeit this time there weren't any annoying back markers, meaning the yellow Jordans and black and white Minardis to get in the way of the much faster Scuderia cars.
Of course, Michael and Rubens weren't there either, nor could any Bridgestones or Michelins be found anywhere near the track. Only Pirelli tires, a sponsor to the Ferrari 360 Challenge series we were there to enjoy, were under the cars, plus a few thousand brand new Firestone ATs used as bumper guards around the race course.
But no matter, for fans of the prancing horse brand there are few sweeter sounds than a tightly wound Ferrari engine at full song, no matter what series its running in, and therefore early morning onlookers lining the Mont-Tremblant track in St. Jovite, Quebec were all smiles despite the sprinkling of rain that resulted in
spectacular rooster tails jetting out from behind the throng of race-prepared 360 Modenas.
At 10AM precisely, the 360 Challenge practice came to an end and the gates opened, allowing those on infield grassy knoll to exchange places with those in the pit and paddock area, and vice versa. To walk through the paddock was like going back fifty years, at least if you were to ignore the high-tech equipment and massive highway trucks that escort all the cars and teams to each event. Along with the 360 Challenge cars, a bevy of classic Ferraris and Maseratis lined the ancillary roadway cum paddock area that surrounded the northernmost portion of the circuit.
It felt like the U.S. GP at Indianapolis all over again. The race track was filled only with Ferraris, albeit this time there weren't any annoying back markers, meaning the yellow Jordans and black and white Minardis to get in the way of the much faster Scuderia cars.
 |
| (Photo: Ray Watson, Canadian Auto Press) |
But no matter, for fans of the prancing horse brand there are few sweeter sounds than a tightly wound Ferrari engine at full song, no matter what series its running in, and therefore early morning onlookers lining the Mont-Tremblant track in St. Jovite, Quebec were all smiles despite the sprinkling of rain that resulted in
 |
| A F360 Challenge car powers down the Mont-Tremblant straight in the early morning. (Photo: Ray Watson, Canadian Auto Press) |
At 10AM precisely, the 360 Challenge practice came to an end and the gates opened, allowing those on infield grassy knoll to exchange places with those in the pit and paddock area, and vice versa. To walk through the paddock was like going back fifty years, at least if you were to ignore the high-tech equipment and massive highway trucks that escort all the cars and teams to each event. Along with the 360 Challenge cars, a bevy of classic Ferraris and Maseratis lined the ancillary roadway cum paddock area that surrounded the northernmost portion of the circuit.