The 458 Italia Grand Am is derived from the GT3 version of the 458, the latest racing model of the Ferrari sports car, and has been developed in collaboration with motorsports and engineering firm Michelotto specifically for the American series.
Running the car will be Scuderia AF Corse, winners of the Le Mans Series, Intercontinental Le Mans Cup and the FIA GT3. It will also be crewed all year by Daytona 500 winner Michael Waltrip, North American Rally Champion Travis Pastrana, and two endurance race veterans Rui Aguas and Robert Kauffman.
Ferrari has competed in all but two of the 49 Daytona classics held to date, winning overall five times among 15 class victories. The most successful year for the Prancing Horse at Daytona is easily 1967, when all three steps of the podium were filled by Ferrari drivers, highlighting the dominance of the Maranello marque on this side of the Atlantic.
The 2012 Daytona 24 Hours takes place from January 26 to 29. For more details on the 458 Italia Grand Am race car, click here.
