An evolution described as the definition of fun, the Ferrari 296 GT3 is the future of GT racing for the Prancing Horse. The car was on its own level at Road America, winning back-to-back races in the Fanatec GT World Challenge America powered by AWS series. The pair of wins were the first on North American soil.
The No. 21 Conquest Racing Ferrari 296 GT3 of Manny Franco and Alessandro Balzan has been through a rollercoaster-like year. The duo began the season contending for podium finishes before bad luck befell the team. However, the pendulum swung the other way just in time for Franco’s home race. Balzan clinched the podium's top spot in Race One on Saturday, Aug. 19 and Milwaukee-native Franco provided an encore on Sunday, Aug. 20.
The Ferrari 296 GT3 made its North American racing debut in January of 2023. The car took home a podium finish at the 24 Hours of Daytona; however, its first win came in Maranello this past April. The North American win proved to be a bit more allusive, with four additional months needed before Conquest Racing could claim the title of race winner. They did so in a spectacular finish, winning overall and in the PRO Class.
It's no wonder the win was in the hands of Conquest Racing. Balzan is a long-time success story for the Ferrari brand. Balzan has spent the better part of his race career racing for the Prancing Horse and has multiple wins and championships under his belt while behind the wheel of a GT Ferrari. In addition, Franco is a graduate of the Ferrari Challenge series. He relied on the instruction of Balzan to take his racecraft to the next level in his first season of professional racing.
There have been six different overall winners in the Fanatec GT World Challenge America powered by AWS series and five different race winners in the PRO Class. The series has been immensely competitive, along with the Ferrari 296 GT3.
The Ferrari 296 GT3 is a versatile car sharing developmental links between itself and the street-purpose Ferrari 296 GTB. Engineers sculpted it while visualizing the needs of gentleman drivers, those who aim to win, and those who relish racing on the track. Drivers take confidence in Ferrari’s open goal is to surpass the astonishing numbers achieved by the 488 GT3.
"It means a great deal to all of us within the team to have been able to achieve the very first pair of wins for the Ferrari 296 GT3 on North American soil,” said Conquest Racing Team Owner Eric Bachelart. “Conquest Racing has been partnered with Ferrari for many years now, and we have continued to climb the ladder of success together.
“To be able to reach this milestone is a true testament to all the exemplary work that has taken place both on and off track and shows great signs for what is to come next. We have every intention of continuing to score top results with the Ferrari 296 GT3 and these first wins were only the beginning."
Watch Balzan and Franco take the No. 21 Conquest Racing Ferrari 296 GT3 to its limits at Sebring International Raceway Sept. 22-24 with the Fanatec GT World Challenge America powered by AWS series. The duo of drivers is seated fifth in the Drivers Points Championship. They’re two points out of third place but 34 points behind points leaders Eric Filgueiras and Stevan McAleer. However, if this season has proven one thing, it’s that anything is possible.