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.

This F430 GTC was supplied new to AF Corse in March 2009 and was raced under the Pecom Racing banner in the FIA GT Championship that year. It was one of three F430 GTC’s that they raced and was driven by the Argentine Matthis Russo and Luis Perez Companc, wearing number 95 for the duration of the season.

This car competed in eight championship races across the globe in 2009, finishing 2nd in class at the season opener RAC Tourist Trophy Silverstone on the 3rd of May. Ending the season, Pecom Racing finished 5th in the 2009 FIA GT2 Teams Championship with AF Corse winning overall.

Luis Perez Companc finished 6th in the 2009 FIA GT2 Drivers Championship and 2nd in the 2009 Citation Cup. AF Corse won the 2009 FIA GT2 Teams Championship and as a result, Ferrari won the 2009 FIA GT Manufacturers Cup. Pecom Racing finished 5th in the 2009 FIA GT2 Teams Championship.

Race History - 2009

In 2010 the GTC was bought by LMP Motor Sport of Japan and subsequently entered into the Japanese Super GT Series. Driven by team owner Yutaka Yamagishi and Hiroshi Koizumi, the car campaigned in seven races during the season. Finishing 15th in the Drivers Championship with 10 points, the team were determined to hit the track again and did as such in 2011.

Race History - 2010

Continuing its campaign in the Japanese Super GT Series, this time clothed in a new Ika Musume design in collaboration with the animation “Shinryaku! Ika Musme”, the car was raced under the name ‘PACIFICNAC Ika Musume Ferrari’. With Hideki Yamauchi as the new driver alongside Yutaka Yamagishi, they finished 4th in the qualifier at the opening series, Okayama International, and 2nd for the Super Lap; overall finishing the race 5th. Its most successful race of the season earnt the team a place on the podium with 3rd place under their belt on the 19th of June in Malaysia.

Race History - 2011

Once again, this time for the 2012 season, the car was entered into the Japanese Super GT Series with LMP Motor Sport for what would be its last campaigned year. With Takuto Iguchi and Yutaka Tamagishi behind the wheel, this time the team clearly had the car on form and completed all eight rounds.

Race History - 2012

Hugely eligible, today this F430 GTC can be competitively entered into the Global Endurance Legends and Masters Endurance Legends race series, as well as holding a qualification for participation in the Ferrari Club Competizione GT; another event which has been gaining traction in recent years.

Recently refinished in its 2009 livery and one of just 24 F430 GTCs built, this example is accompanied by its Michelotto book pack, spare parts catalogue and document pack, this unique example presents at our showrooms outside London available for viewing immediately.