During the 2020 Challenge & GT Days, a track day for historic and modern Ferrari GT/Challenge cars and held at the famous Austrian circuit, the Red Bull Ring, I recorded this special Ferrari 512 BB Competizione from 1980. The car is chassis no. 31159 and it’s one of the very few ‘Competizione’ developed by Ferrari’s Customer Assistance department from 1978 for notable Ferrari’s private teams and with the aim of competing at the Le Mans 24h race.

The 512 BB Competizione was still very similar to the production car but with the removal of all that wasn’t necessary in order to reduce weight (around 1,230 kg). The so called ‘Le Mans kit’ increased also the max power output (around 460 hp) of the 5.0-litre 180° 12-cylinder engine. The body of chassis 31159 was later modified with the removal of the pop-up headlights, the addition of front and rear spoilers to aid in aerodynamics and fender flares to cover the racing tyres. The car also received larger brakes to keep its additional performance in check.