The Legend - It's still in good condition apparently. Although built in the era of Ferrari’s dominance in world's sports car racing of the late of the 1950s to early of 1960s, the Ferrari 250 TRI 61 was the prancing horse’s best and most developed weapon at the time.
The legendary Ferrari 250 TRI/61 (0794 TR) driving around at the 2021 Greenwich Concours d'Elegance. (Picture from: Wikipedia)
It was one of evolving series of Testa Rossas by 1961 had already won many important endurance races and international championships for Scuderia Ferrari. Who doesn't know the Testa Rossa? Testa
Rossas first appeared in 1958 as customer sports cars used by
privateers to contest races in both the US and Europe.
The legendary Ferrari 250 TRI/61 (0794 TR) has a distinct new twin-nostril bodywork, coupled with more cut-off rear end. (Picture from: Forza-Rossa.Over)
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 1960s, three
years of development meant the Ferrari TRI 60 included all-enveloping bodies,
disc brakes, magnesium castings and an independent rear suspension
straight form Formula One.
The legendary Ferrari 250 TRI/61 (0794 TR) cut-off. (Picture from: Forza-Rossa.Over)
What's new for 1961 version? It had a taller and a distinct new twin-nostril bodywork, coupled with 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 Ferrari TRI 61 by Fantuzzi Carrozzeria was supported by a much more lightweight and spaceframed chassis which easily made it the ultimate expression of the front engine Ferrari 250 lines.
The legendary Ferrari 250 TRI/61 (0794 TR) sat on display at the 2021 Greenwich Concours d'Elegance. (Picture from: Forza-Rossa.Over)
Probably the
highlight of the Ferrari TRI 61’s career came when Phil Hill and Olivier Gendebien drove their car with chassis number of #0794 to victory at the 24 Hours of LeMans 1961. They would repeat the same result, the following year, also in the Testa Rossa's last version, the Ferrari 330 TRI/LM.
The legendary Ferrari 250 TRI/61 (0794 TR) driving around at the 2021 Greenwich Concours d'Elegance. (Picture from: Forza-Rossa.Over)
While only four copies of the Ferrari 250 TRI 61 were made, their contribution to Testa Rossa series history was significant. One took LeMans, and together with the 246 SP, they secured the 1961 Championship. In total, the Testa Rossa series won LeMans four times, and helped secure many World Sports Car Championships from 1958 to 1962.
It was one of evolving series of Testa Rossas by 1961 had already won many important endurance races and international championships for Scuderia Ferrari. Who doesn't know the Testa Rossa? Testa
Rossas first appeared in 1958 as customer sports cars used by
privateers to contest races in both the US and Europe.
While only four copies of the Ferrari 250 TRI 61 were made, their contribution to Testa Rossa series history was significant. One took LeMans, and together with the 246 SP, they secured the 1961 Championship. In total, the Testa Rossa series won LeMans four times, and helped secure many World Sports Car Championships from 1958 to 1962.
