VIN: the Euromotorsport Ferrari 333 SP chassis 009
History of chassis 009
For the 1994 IMSA championship, Euromotorsport initially leased two 333 SPs from Ferrari North America. However, the team was reduced to running a single car at each event after some legal problems mid-way through the season.
For 1995, team principal Antonio Ferrari (grandnephew of Enzo Ferrari) leased a brand new 333 SP: chassis 009. Of the two 1994 Euromotorsport cars, he retained chassis 002 which contested one race (the 1995 Le Mans 24 Hours). The other car (005) was returned to Ferrari North America.
009 made its debut at the opening IMSA championship round of the year: the Daytona 24 Hours.
Fabrizio Barbazza qualified the yellow ATEC-backed machine third fastest behind a brace of Scandia 333 SPs. He was joined for the race by Massimo Sigala, Gianfranco Brancatelli and Elton Julian. After 24 hours, 009 crossed the finish line eighth overall and second in the WSC class (behind the winning Kremer K8).
The Daytona outing was followed by an appearance at the Sebring 12 Hours six weeks later. Barbazza, Sigala and Julian qualified third behind the pole-starting Scandia Ferrari and a Spice BD-02. Delays hampered their progress and they were ultimately classified 22nd (34 laps behind the winning Scandia entry).
At the Road Atlanta 3 Hours on April 30th, Barbazza was set to race with Jay Cochran. Despite a crash in practice, they qualified third.
An altogether more serious incident occurred in the race.
Driving the opening stint, Barbazza was on his 13th lap when, trying to avoid two spinning Porsches, he did a pirouette which left him beached sideways down the pit straight. A fraction of a second later, the stationery Ferrari was hit at over 100mph by the Spice of Jeremy Dale. The impact smashed the Ferrari over 150 metres down the track and split it in two behind the rear bulkhead.
Barbazza sustained heavy head and chest injuries which left him in a critical comatose condition. Although he later recovered, Barbazza never returned to top flight racing.
A new tub numbered 009/A was used to rebuild the 333 SP in 1997. In 1998, this unraced machine was sold to Italian collector, Massimo Sordi.
Notable History
Antonio Ferrari (Euromotorsport)
Yellow ATEC livery
05/02/1995 IMS Daytona 24 Hours (F. Barbazza / M. Sigala / G. Brancatelli / E. Julian) 8th oa, 2nd WSC class (#50)
18/03/1995 IMS Sebring 12 Hours (F. Barbazza / M. Sigala / E. Julian) 22nd oa, 7th WSC class (#50)
30/04/1995 IMS Road Atlanta 3 Hours (F. Barbazza / J. Cochran) DNF (#50)
Rebuilt with a new tub numbered 009/A
1998 sold to Massimo Sordi, Italy
Text copyright: Supercar Nostalgia
Photo copyright: Supercar Nostalgia
