• Powered by the same 3.9-litre, turbocharged V8 as the 488 GTB road car (660bhp/570lb.ft)
• Race-focused engine mapping and shorter gear ratios for its dual-clutch transmission
• 488GTE-inspired aerodynamics, different bonnet, bumper, side vents and rear wing
• Superbly finished in Rosso Corsa and one UK owner from new
• Total mileage (including testing) of just 7,500km of incident free, exhilarating motoring.
• Accompanied by over £60,000 worth of spares (buyer to collect)
• Professionally run and maintained by the acknowledged number one team with these cars, FF.Corse at Silverstone
• VAT qualifying vehicle

If you exclude the Italian-market 208 GTB Turbo tax-break special of the 1970s and 1980s, the 488 GTB is only Ferrari's second turbocharged mid-engined car after the F40. Its engine retains the flat-plane configuration of all Ferrari V8s and has a capacity reduced from the 4.5-litres of the 458 to just 3.9-litres but its power output has been raised by an incredible 100bhp. The car's construction is still all-aluminium, Ferrari resisting as ever the lure of anything more than cosmetic carbon fibre in its production models, but even so, there are no fewer than 12 different alloys in its structure and body and, despite the additional turbos, wastegate and 20% increase in required cooling capacity, the 488 is still 10kg lighter than the 458 it replaces.

Perhaps the ultimate Gentlemen’s one-make series, the Ferrari Challenge dates from 1993 and has included all their base level entry models going back as far as the 348 right through to the 488 built to “Challenge” specification. The cars are purpose built for racing with integral roll cages, built-in automatic fire systems, racing seats, air jacks and no carpets or unnecessary frills. Racing is thus very tight and competitive and various series and championships exist - in the UK, Europe and North America.

Compared to the production 488 GTB V8, the Challenge's powertrain features specific engine mapping, optimised for racing and shorter gear ratios. The variable torque management has been modified to prompt the (perhaps comparatively inexperienced) driver to change gear at the optimal moment making maximum use of the performance characteristics of the turbo engine. In terms of dynamics, Ferrari's patented Slip Slip Control (SSC) software makes its first-ever appearance on a Challenge car. This is integrated with the vehicle's electronic dynamic controls and is calibrated, along with the traction control and E-Diff3, to improve turn-in, cornering, and acceleration out of corners ensuring that maximum traction is available throughout.

To enable Challenge drivers to tailor the car's handling to their driving style to an even greater degree, the vehicle control functions (traction and braking) are now governed independently, thanks to the adoption of three 'Manettinos', one is dedicated just to braking, while the other two, set either side of the steering wheel, govern the traction control and electronic differential.

Externally, a massive carbon-fibre rear wing from the 488 GTE dominates proceedings, with lower side skirts, a new bonnet, and a reprofiled nose section completing an aerodynamic package that apparently creates 10% more downforce than its predecessor, the 458 Challenge Evo. In the pursuit of weight loss, lightweight plastic panels replace the main windows and internally the car differs extensively from the road-legal version. Gone are the standard centre console, seats, dashboard, door panels, carpets, and trims, all replaced by a fully stripped-out motorsport cabin with integrated roll bar, fire-extinguisher system, racing steering wheel, and fixed racing bucket seat.

Here in the UK, the ‘Number 1’ team to run and maintain your car is F.F. Corse, based at Silverstone circuit. This car was purchased new in 2018 by its first private owner from H.R. Owen and delivered to F.F. Corse to be run in the UK-based championship that year. Costing some £220,000 plus VAT at the time, our vendor then spent an additional £60,000 plus VAT on various spares including:

3 additional sets of competition centre-lock wheels (so 4 sets in total)

V-Box in-car camera system with data logger

Car to pit radio system

Spare front dampers and springs

Race connectivity diagnostic system

488 Challenge exhaust silencer

Spare set of steel discs,

Brake bells and pads front and rear.

The car was used only during the 2018/19 seasons and has covered a total mileage from new (including testing) of just 7,500km of incident free, exhilarating motoring. It is offered ready to use, all previous stickers and championship decals removed, all stone chips attended to and looking absolutely superb having remained static and professionally stored throughout the COVID period. The original spares pack is included in the sale and the car is subject to VAT on the final hammer price. The spares will have to be collected separately from FF Corse at Silverstone, post-sale and at the buyer's expense.

The 488 Challenge is a hugely competent design and, given the options of electronically controlling the car's responses, it will react well to drivers of limited experience who will quickly develop the talents required to handle 660bhp and 1300kg. Thanks to retaining an adjustable steering column and sliding seat, it should be easy for drivers of any size to get comfortable and, after a bit of practice and a few races, any reasonable driver should be able to return this car to being competitive, particularly if run by one of the acknowledged Challenge specialists.