Risi Ferrari 488 GTE Completes Shakedown

Photo: Risi Competizione

Risi Competizione’s new Ferrari 488 GTE is set to debut in next weekend’s Rolex 24 at Daytona after completing a successful shakedown Wednesday in Italy.

The GT Le Mans class car, built to the new-for-2016 GTE regulations, turned its first laps at Fiorano, following a nearly two-week build by both Risi and Michelotto mechanics.

“The new Ferrari 488 GTLM is a stunning and beautiful car,” said Giuseppe Risi, who was on-site. “The shakedown went well and as planned, no surprises.

“The car is now in transit to Miami, where a representative will pick it up and take it to Daytona. Our guys will then work to get it prepped for the Rolex 24 race. ”

Full-season drivers Toni Vilander and Giancarlo Fisichella will team with Davide Rigon and Olivier Beretta in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season-opener.

Risi’s entry will be joined by two other 488 GTEs entered by SMP Racing and Scuderia Corsa for Daytona.

“We worked together with Michelotto, to get this car built to the specs needed for IMSA competition,” said Rick Mayer, Risi Competizione Race Engineer.

“Two of our crew were onsite for several weeks working with them and then our data engineer joined them after the Roar Test, in expectation that the car will be as race ready for Daytona as possible once it arrives.

“Of course there is plenty of work to do since we were not able to use the Roar Test to our benefit, but we’ll make it work as we always do.

“This is a spectacular car and we hope for some great things this season.”

Click Here for more photos from the shakedown

John Dagys

John Dagys is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sportscar365. Dagys spent eight years as a motorsports correspondent for FOXSports.com and SPEED Channel and has contributed to numerous other motorsports publications worldwide. Contact John