1994 FERRARI F355 CHALLENGE - EX-JAY KAY

KEY FACTS

• A very competitive and successful example of the stripped-out Ferrari F355 Challenge.
• While currently used as a racing car, it is registered with the DVLA, so could be used as a road car pending an MOT test pass.
• The vehicle was imported to the UK by Jamiroquai frontman Jay Kay, and it was reportedly used as a camera car for music video filming, with mounts still visible in the floor pan.
• It has since been owned by Nigel Chiltern-Hunt, president of the Ferrari Owners Club, Mark I'Anson, and currently Ferrari racing instructor Tristan Simpson.
• It is powered by the 375bhp 3.5-litre V8 with the Bosch 2.7 Motronic system, widely accepted as delivering slightly more responsive performance, coupled to a six-speed manual gearbox.
• Since 2006, the vehicle has been raced successfully in various high-profile series’ with the Ferrari Owners Club, including the Pirelli Ferrari Formula Classic, the Pirelli Ferrari Open and the AMOC Intermarque Championship, benefiting from comprehensive maintenance prior to every race weekend.

EQUIPMENT AND FEATURES

• The F355 Challenge comes with a raft of race-focused features, including a lightweight exhaust, large rear wing, competition clutch, solid suspension springs and bushings, a lightened front bumper, and the 14-inch Brembo brakes from the Ferrari F40.
• On this example, the pop-up light pods have been removed to save even more weight, and replaced with bumper-mounted spotlights.
• Inside, it features a roll cage, an OMP racing seat and harnesses, a fire extinguisher, an engine cut-off switch and a Momo steering wheel.
• It will be accompanied by its logbook and service record, which dates back to 2013.

CONDITION

• Given its racing use, there have been some replacement panels required over the years. During the current ownership, the nearside rear quarter was damaged at Croft Circuit in 2019, while the rear bumper sustained a crack at Circuit du Val De Vienne in 2018, but these panels have both been replaced.
• Its paintwork now presents with stone chips to the bonnet and front bumper, around the edges of the wheel arches, and along the sills.
• Its OMP seat has been re-trimmed, and is now in superb condition.
• Various scuffs can be seen across the centre console, but nothing unexpected for an active racer.
• The car has not been used on the road for around 15 years, and the most recent MOT test was on 1 April 2006 at 9,178 miles.

SERVICE HISTORY

• The engine oil, gearbox oil, and filters have been replaced prior to every other race, while the brake fluid has been changed every fourth race.
• Its most recent service was in September 2020 at 16,250 miles, where technicians at Autolink changed the engine oil, filters, gearbox oil and brake fluid.
• The nearside rear wheel bearing was changed in October 2020, along with the battery and alternator in February 2020.
• During 2019, the rear clutch bearing was replaced, along with the offside rear wheel bearing, and the drive belts.
• In February 2018, the engine was rebuilt, including renewal of all valve guides and with new HT ignition leads.

SUMMARY

This Ferrari F355 Challenge is a storied example of the lightweight track car, with several well-known previous owners and an impressive and successful racing history. It has been meticulously maintained, and is ready for competitive use, or could be lightly modified to meet MOT requirements to put it back on the road.

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All UK-registered cars and motorbikes on Collecting Cars are run through an online HPI check. On the HPI report, this vehicle shows no insurance database markers for damage or theft, and has no finance owing.