Ferrari
F
333 SP
:
Exactly 20 years after Ferrari
last raced a sports prototype, the Maranello based firm
surprised the world with the 333 SP in 1993. Jointly
developed with Dallara, it was Ferrari's first new prototype
racer in over two decades. Designed specifically for
the new IMSA prototype regulations, the 333 SP was intended
for customer racing only. The passion for the project
started with dGiampiero Moretti, founder of MOMO and
Gian Luigi Buitoni, president of Ferrari North America.
The program was nick-named 'Il Sogno Americano', the
American Dream.
IMSA
regulations specified that the engine used could not
displace over four litres and had to be derived from
a road car. The V12 used was similar in design to Ferrari's
contemporary Formula 1 engines, but it was homologated
because it would power the upcoming Ferrari F50 road
car. For the F50 the 3.5 litre F1 engine was increased
in size to 4.7 litre and then reduced again for the
333 SP. All technical aspects, like the 5 valves per
cylinder setup, were retained for both the F50 and 333
SP engine. Like many of its legendary predecessors the
333 SP was named after its engine's unitary displacement
of 333 cc.
Much
of the design work for the chassis and body was done
in Dallara's windtunnel. Following the regulations,
the 333 SP featured a flat bottom chassis. Carbonfibre
and other composites were used for the chassis and body,
resulting in a very light but rigid monocoque construction.
Double wishbones and push-rod operated coil springs/dampers
were used all-round. The rolling chassis was not much
different from the contemporary F1 designs, except for
the increased width to accomodate a 'passenger.'
