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Ferrari SP3JC one-off channels vintage roadsters with a color-wheel twist

Not long after we posted on rumors of a Ferrari 812 Spider, we get this, the Ferrari SP3JC. This is no 812 Superfast, though, it's a one-off commission based on running gear from the limited edition F12 TDF. John Collins, owner of classic Ferrari dealer Talacrest in the UK, provided the dream, the funds, and therefore the "JC" in the open-top's name. We'll assume this being Ferrari's third Special Project this year contributed the rest of the alphanumeric. Collins said the project took 3.5 years from dream to completion, and Ferrari said the design process consumed two of them. While there have been at least six special editions and commissions based off the F12, this is the first one-off to use the F12 TDF. The Italians say the SP3JC is "designed to pay homage to company's classic 1950s and 1960s roadsters." A much wider power bulge in the hood falls all the way into the grille of the redrawn front fascia. New vents appear at the corners of the bumper. Above, instead of the F12 TDF's small hood vents, two large, transparent panels provide views of the 6.3-liter V12. At the side, instead of the modern rising fender line from front wheel to cowl, the fender descends on its way rearward akin to Ferraris of old. The redrawn panels move the donor car's vent to above the rocker panel, and erases the three vents over the rear wheels. In back, 812 Superfast taillights preside over a layered fascia with three full-width vents and a jutting diffuser. The 812 Superfast also donated its wheels. Roll hoops stand guard behind the seats. According to a poster on Ferrari Chat, the SP3JC doesn't come with a roof. About that paint scheme: There were plenty of vibrantly hued classic Ferraris, but we don't know of any that put so many hues on one body. Ferrari says the mashup here was inspired by Collins' "passion for Pop Art." Bianco Italia mixes with Azzuro Met and Giallo Modena, right down to the yellow pinstripes on the wheels and the matching blue and white leather inside. Personally, we'd rather jump off with the F12 TRS when imagining what an 812 Superfast Spider could look like, but this is probably a better place to start. View 43 Photos Related Video:

Model waves checkered flag too soon at F1's Canadian Grand Prix

MONTREAL — Formula One said on Sunday it will review its procedures after the Canadian Grand Prix ended in confusion and embarrassment when a celebrity waved the checkered flag a lap too soon. The gaffe did not affect the outcome of the race, which was won by Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel, but the German said he was left double-checking his lap counter while checking in with his pit before carrying on to run the full 70 laps. "Fortunately we had radio, fortunately I had the lap count in the car, and the pitboard was accurate — but if you lose radio and maybe the pitboard is not there, then you back off," said Vettel after notching his 50th career win. "I was just worried, I told them also on the last lap, then people don't jump on the track, waving flags and celebrating, because we're still going at full pace." The official results were later determined based on the 68th lap to avoid any impact the early flag might have had. Formula One race director Charlie Whiting said the error was caused by simple miscommunication between the official starter and crew in the starter's tower, which resulted in model Winnie Harlow — a friend of Mercedes world champion Lewis Hamilton — waving the flag prematurely. "It was a miscommunication between the start platform and the guy they call the starter here," explained Whiting. "He thought it was the last lap and asked them at the top to confirm it, they confirmed it. "They thought he was making a statement when in fact he was asking a question. "He told the flag waver to wave it a lap early. It was as simple as that, it wasn't anything to do with the fact it was a celebrity flag waver. "The celebrity was not to blame." Celebrities are often given the honor of waving the checkered flag at motor races, which has occasionally resulted in unintended flubs. Brazilian soccer great Pele famously reacted too late when Ferrari's Michael Schumacher won at Sao Paulo's Interlagos circuit in 2002, brandishing the flag instead as the later finishers appeared. While the incident on Sunday produced shrugs and even a few chuckles, there were also very real safety concerns, as course workers often come out of their safety areas to stand alongside the track waving flags. "We need to review procedures and make sure we have a very simple procedure for every circuit," added Whiting. "We're dealing with different human beings, different countries, different languages and it's not always absolutely perfect.

Driver, track worker survive horrific Ferrari 458 crash at Suzuka

Two people are lucky to be alive after a brutal crash during a recent Ferrari 458 Challenge event in Japan. Driver Shigeru Terajima lost control of his machine on the Suzuka Circuit start/finish straight, left the course at nearly 200 miles per hour and struck the inside wall where a corner worker was standing and monitoring the race. The 458 immediately disintegrated, sending bits of carbon fiber bodywork, suspension components, wheels and tires scattering into the infield and across the race course. The passenger cell spun through the air before coming to a stop on its roof.
Miraculously, both Terajima and the corner worker survived the incident. While the driver was transported to a local hospital in serious condition, he's expected to make a full recovery. The track worker, meanwhile, saw the incident coming and dove out of harm's way at the last possible moment, saving him from the brunt of the impact. You can watch an observer's frightening footage of the Ferrari crash by scrolling below.