Ferrari Challenge standout Henrik Hedman will compete in the 2014 Pirelli World Challenge. The Swedish pilot has shown rapidly improving driving technique and racecraft during his sophomore season of Ferrari Challenge competition in North America. As a multiple race winner and consistent pacesetter in the series, Henrik looks forward to joining the professional ranks and has chosen the Ferrari 458 Italia GT3 as his mount. Hedman will be run by Elton Julian’s DragonSpeed team in partnership with Ferrari of Fort Lauderdale’s Ronald Vogel. The Florida-based outfit expects to take delivery of the first of two new cars in November, with a shakedown planned at Ferrari’s Fiorano test track.
Henrik Hedman
“I couldn’t be happier to have this opportunity to bring the Ferrari brand to World Challenge. The 458 GT3 is a stunning car and and a real step up from my Challenge machine. I’ve had great tutelage from Elton this season, and with the expertise of a team like DragonSpeed, I know I can continue my progress as a driver next year. I saw how much Elton enjoyed his WC outing in Sonoma and that gave me the final push to say yes, let’s go for it!”
Elton Julian
“I’m excited about our new venture into World Challenge. After WC Vision's decision to allow GT3 cars just two weeks ago, we grabbed the chance to check out the series. You couldn’t ask for a better platform for racing GT3 cars. It’s great to see Henrik joining the pro ranks, having had the pleasure of watching him develop from his first race at St. Pete a few years ago into a frontrunner in Ferrari Challenge. He’s really the poster child for Ferrari’s development ladder and more than equal to the demands of the next level.”
Ronald Vogel
“It is with enormous pleasure that I welcome Henrik into Pirelli World Challenge with DragonSpeed. As a team, we have helped many talented gentleman drivers transition from the amateur ranks into pro racing. Henrik is one of those guys who picks it up quickly and gets on with it. It’s only natural that he continue racing with the Prancing Horse and take advantage of the great support provided by both our team and Michelotto in Italy. This program will complement our current ALMS and international GT enduro efforts.”
Scott Bove Pirelli World Challenge CEO
“All of us at Pirelli World Challenge are pleased with the results of our decision to admit full FIA-spec GT3 cars to the series. We’ve been contacted by numerous OEMs and overseas teams about 2014, thanks to our commitment to develop the most equitable and economical balance-of-performance rules possible for next year. At Sonoma, DragonSpeed became the most recent contributor to this effort, and now we’re delighted to hear Elton will be bringing Henrik, the team, and the Ferrari marque to World Challenge for our 25th anniversary season.“