Ferrari reveals another track car you can’t race
The Ferrari 296 GT Modificata is the Prancing Horse’s latest limited-use offering, only able to be on track in very specific circumstances.
Ferrari’s twin-turbo 296 lineup has expanded, now available in a fourth track-only guise – but you can’t race it.
Based loosely on the 296 GT3 Evo, the new 296 GT Modificata has been revealed as a new track car, effectively replacing the six-year-old 488 GT Modificata as the car to buy when you want something faster than what the professionals get.
Claimed to be able to lap Ferrari’s Fiorano circuit a whole three seconds faster than then 296 GT3 Evo, the GT Modificata’s huge speed advantage is thanks in part to its comprehensive aerodynamics package.
This includes a redesigned front splitter and bonnet, while at the back there’s a whole new, much larger wing, featuring endplates inspired by the Le Mans-winning 499P Hypercar, designed to “improve management of the vortices generated by the wing”.
It’s a good thing it makes more downforce than the GT3 car, because the 296 GT Modificata also produces much more power from its twin-turbo 2.9-litre V6 engine.
With 537kW and 800Nm on tap, it’s about 96kW more potent than the GT3 car (due to Balance of Performance regulations), and produces the peak power figure at 7500rpm, with drive sent to the rear wheels through a six-speed paddle-operated sequential transmission.
According to Ferrari, the Modificata benefits from modified “cranktrain, camshafts, induction line, intercoolers and turbocharger” components, compared to the GT3 Evo machine.
Helping to arrest the speed brought on by the extra power are steel brake discs, employing an upgraded ventilation system at the front, something which Ferrari says delivers “more consistent performance, greater reliability and letting the driver exploit the car’s potential even more effectively”.
Like the GT3 car, it has an ABS system, though inside the cabin there are two seats, allowing drivers to take a passenger, such as a driving instructor, to hone their craft.
Unlike most Ferraris, the options list is limited, consisting of a rear radar system, as well as personalisation of the car’s colour scheme, which customers can choose from the Ferrari Design Studio.
However, the ability to run the 296 GT Modificata is relatively limited, as it’s only allowed to take part in track days and in dedicated non-competitive Ferrari Club Competizioni GT events.
As a part of the purchase price – to be announced – Ferrari offers two years of participation in its Ferrari Club Competizioni GT program, held across different circuits around the world.
The 2027 calendar for the Club Competizioni GT programme consists of seven events: Jerez de la Frontera (Spain), Misano Adriatico (Italy), Fuji (Japan), Indianapolis (USA), Paul Ricard (France), Spa-Francorchamps (Belgium).
