by Brendan Bowers | Oct 19, 2025 | EMS Ferrari Challenge
James Weiland and EMS Race Team will be competing in the Ferrari Challenge World Finals in Italy this week. The Ferrari Finali Mondiali is an annual event celebrating Ferrari’s racing heritage. The 2025 edition is scheduled to take place at the Mugello Circuit from October 21-26.
On Thursday and Friday, the North American and European series conclude with Races 1 and 2, respectively. Saturday is qualifying for the World Finals on Sunday, which brings together all drivers from around the world for one race and the chance to be crowned World Champion. Weiland and EMS Race Team earned Ferrari Challenge World Championship honors in 2019.
“We are looking forward to racing at Mugello and are always grateful to compete in the Ferrari World Finals,” Weiland said. “My son Max is racing this week in the WSK Final Cup in Franicacorta, IT, too, so it will be a fun week for our family.”
Opened in 1974, the Mugello Circuit is a fast, flowing track set in the hills of Tuscany, Italy. The 3.26-mile layout features 15 corners, dramatic elevation changes, and a long front straight that delivers high-speed action from start to finish. Owned by Ferrari, it’s known for its challenging technical sections that reward precision and control.
Powered by a 700-horsepower turbocharged V6 engine, ERIN the Electronic Merchant Systems Ferrari 296 Challenge will be racing to represent PETA Cruelty Free, Coach Sam’s Inner Circle, and Cornerstone of Hope throughout the event.
Racing to Raise Awareness
Weiland is a former Ferrari Challenge North American and Ferrari World Finals champion who races to raise awareness for three special causes. ERIN the Electronic Merchant Systems Ferrari 296 Challenge will compete in Italy to support Coach Sam’s Scholars, PETA Cruelty-Free, and Cornerstone of Hope.
Coach Sam’s Scholars works to improve literacy, personal development, and health for at-risk children through innovative educational programs. PETA Cruelty-Free advocates for the ethical treatment of animals and promotes cruelty-free products, proudly recognized by the bunny logo. Cornerstone of Hope is committed to providing support, education, and hope for those experiencing grief.
“We’re proud to represent Coach Sam’s Scholars, PETA, and Cornerstone,” Weiland said. “Each of these organizations makes a tremendous impact, and we’ll do our best to raise awareness for their work racing in Italy.”
For exclusive behind-the-scenes coverage of the EMS Race Team during the Ferrari World Finals, follow along on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. We appreciate your support!
by Brendan Bowers | Oct 20, 2019 | EMS Ferrari Challenge
EMS Race Team travels to Italy this week for the Ferrari Challenge World Finals on October 24-27 at the Mugello Circuit. The Finali Mondiali event will mark the 10th different country that EMS Race Team will compete in this season. With victories at Bahrain, Le Mans and Nürburgring, driver James Weiland and his team from Boardwalk Ferrari / Ferrari of San Francisco will look to add to their 2019 total of seven podium finishes overall. While competing against the best Ferrari Challenge drivers in the world, Weiland and his team know they will need to be on top of their game in order to eclipse their season total of seven podiums from a year ago.
“The Ferrari Challenge World Finals are always a special event that we look forward to every year,” Weiland said. “Mugello is a circuit that we’ve raced before and we’re excited for the opportunity to do so again. We tested there last week and ERIN ran great so hopefully that continues for us throughout the weekend.”
The 2018 Ferrari Challenge was also in Italy but held at the Autodromo Nazionale di Monza. EMS Race Team earned a second-place finish at Monza to close out the season a year ago. At the 2017 event, EMS Race Team earned a sixth-place finish while racing at Mugello. The 2016 Finali Mondiali was held at Daytona International Speedway in Florida where Weiland and company secured the North American Ferrari Challenge season championship.
“We’re especially excited about racing to raise awareness for PETA Cruelty Free, Coach Sam’s Inner Circle Foundation and Cornerstone of Hope on the world stage in Italy,” Weiland added. “There’s always so many drivers and fans in attendance at the World Finals throughout the week and our goal is to make each of those foundations we race on behalf of proud of our effort. If we can accomplish that much we’ll be happy with the results.”
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) is the largest animal rights organization in the world, with more than three million members and supporters. Products proudly displaying the bunny logo are cruelty-free, meaning that they were produced without testing on animals. Coach Sam’s Inner Circle Foundation’s mission is to provide educational support to at risk children through a combination of literacy, personal development and health and fitness programs designed to develop the whole child. Cornerstone of Hope, meanwhile, is dedicated to providing support, education, and hope for the grieving.
Road races were first held on public streets around Mugello in Italy during the early 1920s. The present-day closed Mugello Circuit was constructed in 1973 and opened in 1974, just east of the original road circuit. Measuring 5,245 km in length, the Mugello Circuit stands out from other fast tracks thanks to the drastic elevation changes and the high-speed chicanes. The main straight, at 1.141 km, is followed by a blind rise into the tight turn one, San Donato, where speeds drop quickly. The front straight is the fastest part of the track, with the rest an exciting mixture of quick direction changes and long corners without any tight hairpins or stop-and-go sections to break up the flow.
For behind-the-scenes coverage of the Ferrari Challenge World Finals at the Mugello Circuit in Italy throughout the trip, be sure to follow EMS Race Team on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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