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Built to maintain Ferrari's dominance in sports car racing, the TRI61 was Ferrari's best and most developed weapon. It belonged to an evolving series of Testa Rossas which, by 1961, had already won many important endurance races and international championships for Ferrari.

Testa Rossas first appeared in 1958 as customer sports cars used by privateers to contest races in both the US and Europe. After an initial release, Ferrari continued development to exclusively supply their factory works team with competitive cars. These superior versions needed complicated craftsmanship and featured exotic materials that made them less viable as the customer cars they once were.

By 1960, three years of development meant the TRI60 included all-enveloping bodies, disc brakes, magnesium castings and an independent rear suspension straight form Formula One. New for 1961 was a distinct new twin-nostril body that had a taller, more cut-off rear end. The rather awkward design was used to direct airflow better over the car and improve overall stability. Underneath its skin, the TRI61 was supported by a much more lightweight and spaceframed chassis which easily made it the ultimate expression of the front engine Ferrari 250.

Probably the highlight of the TRI61's career came when Hill/Gendebien drove #0794 to victory at the 24 Hours of LeMans. They would repeat the same result, the following year, in the last version of the Testa Rossa, the 330 TRI/LM.

While only four copies of the TRI61 were made, their contribution to Testa Rossa history was significant. One took LeMans, and together with the 246 SP, they secured the 1961 Championship. In total, the Testa Rossas won LeMans four times, and helped secure many World Sports Car championships from 1958 to 1962. Afterwards, they were completely replaced with mid engine counterparts.

Chassis History

0794TR - Easily the most successful TRI61, 0794 won the 1961 LeMans at the hands of Hill & Gendebien. The car was afterwards sold to Chinetti who let Pedro Rodriguez race it to much sucess until it DNFed at the 1962 24 Hours of LeMans. In more recent times the car has been owned by Peter Sachs who occasionally brings it out for race or show.

0792TR - This car has won Sebring twice over, first in 1961 with Hill/Gendebien and in 1962 with Bonnier/Bianchi. In 1986 it was restored by Graypaul Motors for Ralph Lauren who is its current owner.

0780TR / 0808 - After second place finishes at Sebring, the Nurburgring and Le Mans and the overall win in the Pescara 12 Hours, 0780TR was modified to accept the larger SuperAmerica engine and become the sole 330 TRI/LM #0808. In this configuration, it would become the last car to win the 24 hours of LeMans, in 1962, with a front located engine.

0782TR - Converted from a TRI/60, this 0782TR raced twice then disappeared into obscurity.

Story by Richard Owen for Supercars.net

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