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.'
