Drifting is generally dominated by Japanese rear-wheel-drive sedans and, in Europe, by the BMW 3-series, preferably the E30 or E46 generation. Compact, with power sent to the rear wheels, they feature engines that are easy to prepare and available in large quantities. These are generally affordable models, such as the Nissan Silvia and Toyota Supra. In the USA, muscle cars also have their say, like the Ford Mustang. Drifting is very popular in Japan and the USA, so these "national" vehicles have a lot to offer. But fortunately, there are a few wacky people who try to go against the flow. We recently saw a Subaru BRZ with "Alfa" bodywork and a V6 Biturbo engine. But why not be even more daring, by lining up a supercar?
There aren't many supercars in drifting. Expensive to buy and costly to maintain, they're moreover cut out for the circuit, and the stresses of drifting on the mechanics are not easy to manage. But Federico Sceriffo was not to be deterred. So he decided to prepare a Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano, christened "Fiorella" for the occasion, transformed into a drift-car. The project is considered one of the most daring in the world of drifting: converting a V12-powered luxury GT into a racing machine.
The Romans are crazy!
Federico Sceriffo has been an Italian drift driver since 2004. He started out in Italy, then made a name for himself on the European and Asian scene, notably in Japan with Team Orange. In 2012, he won the D1GP Exhibition Match in Odaiba and went on to take part in various international championships, including Formula Drift. Despite an ambitious project, the beginnings were difficult, including a fire at the Formula Drift Long Beach competition in 2018, caused by a ruptured fuel line.
But Federico is back, and enjoys immense fan appeal. The white, red and yellow livery is reminiscent of the Shell-bodied Ferrari F40 raced by the Jolly Club in the early '90s. It was victorious in the Italian GT championship, with Marco Marque taking the title in 1993 (8 wins in nine races that year!).
A boosted V12!
The "Fiorella" retains its original 6.0 L V12, but has been completely reworked. The engine has been supercharged with nitrous oxide, providing power ranging from 800 to 950 hp, depending on the configuration. An indestructible Holinger 6-speed sequential gearbox replaces the original F1 gearbox. According to an article published in 2024 on the website of its partner Pennzoil, the engine is now rated at 1,100 hp and capable of reaching a deafening 9,000 rpm.
The antithesis of Ferrari philosophy
Chassis, suspension and steering have also undergone their fair share of modifications, as the 599's design philosophy is the complete opposite of what Federico does with it! As he reminds us, "They (the 599's designers) did a lot of work on the car to avoid oversteer. It's a circuit car, and it's equipped with a transaxle. The gearbox is in the rear, which gives it optimum balance for the track. The transaxle doesn't limit it to the track, but it's the very design of the chassis: it's a car made to go fast and straight. But we wanted to be the first to introduce a supercar to the drifting world."
The coil-over suspensions are of the competition type, with modified suspension arms and specific drift geometry to enable steering with a wider steering angle. The 599 receives full structural reinforcement (roll bar) and fender extensions (wide body) to accommodate extra-wide tires. The 20-inch wheels (often OZ Racing) are fitted with competition tires for drifting, and a reinforced braking system for intensive use.
The competition record remains respectable, with a 2ᵉ place at the 2019 Motegi Racing Super Drift Challenge in Long Beach, but still no official Formula Drift victory to date. But perhaps the greatest accolade of all came with Ferrari's approval to integrate the car into the Forza video game.
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