The logical step in Challenge history was to follow with the introduction of the F355 Berlinetta and GTS as the 348’s successor. It was obvious that the Gentlemen Racers One Brand Series would rely on the evolution as well. However, the 1995 season saw both, the experienced 348 as well as the new F355. With F355’s test laps having been light-years away from 348’s performance, it became clear, that the races had to be carried out in separate classes. The 348 where allowed to mount the new, bigger F355-wheels (8x18” and 10x18”) that made it possible to add the bigger 348 GTC-disc brakes on the 348 Challenge. However, with this upgrade the 348 was not longer street legal.
The F355 Challenge was available as a “Kit-car” like the 348 as well as a Factory compiled Challenge car. The competition requirements compared to the F355 Stradale and in addition to the 348 Challenge have been the mandatory OMP-roll cage and the 4 point harness. The cars had a sintered metal clutch and lighter bumpers. Adding Corsa race brakes to the F355 made this car not longer street legal as well.
As per F-Register’s database, there have been built some more than 300 examples with only a few GTS that have been added the Challenge kit. Officially 109 cars have been Factory built Challenge cars, but –as usual- these figures differ. Nowadays several F355 Challenge are still raced within the club scenes, especially in the UK.