Schenken will be at the wheel of the record-breaking Ferrari 70th Anniversary limited edition LaFerrari Aperta when he leads the Ferrari convoy from Albert Park on Tuesday 10th October.

The LaFerrari Aperta, launched to mark the 70th Anniversary of the foundation of the company, is the new limited-edition spider version of the LaFerrari supercar.

A LaFerrari Aperta recently sold for $AUD12m at the RM Sotheby’s auction during Ferrari’s 70th Anniversary celebrations at the Fiorano circuit in Maranello.

“We are absolutley thrilled that one of Australia’s all-time motor racing legends, Tim Schenken OAM, will join us in Melbourne to celebrate Ferrari’s significant 70th Anniversary milestone,” said Herbert Appleroth, CEO, Ferrari Australasia.

“With his historic race wins for Ferrari alongside his continued association with CAMS and the Australian Grand Prix, Tim has played an important role in Ferrari’s 70 year racing heritage, both past and present. We can’t wait to see him behind the wheel of the 70th Anniversary limited edition LaFerrari Aperta.”

Schenken is currently CAMS Director of Racing Operations and the Chairman of the Organising Committee and Clerk of the Course for the Australian Grand Prix. He is also the Race Director for the Virgin Australia Supercars Championship.

Schenken was a top international sports car and openwheeler driver in the early 1970s. His association with Ferrari began in 1971 at the Italian Grand Prix, where he was approached by the wife of Ferrari Team Manager, Peter Schetty, and asked if he would be interested in driving sports cars for Ferrari. Scheken was invited to a meeting with Enzo Ferrari himself, who had been driven to Monza specifically and was waiting for him at a nearby hotel. Schenken was immediately signed during that meeting with Enzo in the hotel restaurant for nine long distance races driving the Ferrari 312P.

Tim Schenken at the wheel of the Ferrari 312B.


“It is an incredible honour to be asked to participate in Ferrari’s official 70th Anniversary celebrations in Melbourne,” Schenken said. “My race deal with Ferrari was a significant milestone in my career. In some ways that 1971 meeting with Enzo Ferrari seems just like yesterday. I’m really looking foward to reliving and celebrating that history in this way, behind the wheel of the LaFerrari Aperta.”

Schenken’s first win for Ferrari was in the Buenos Aries 1000km in January, 1972. That year he also won the Nurburgring 1000km, finished second in the Daytona 6 Hour, Sebring 12 Hour, Brands Hatch 1000 and the Watkins Glen 6 Hour at the wheel of the 312P.