1986 Tiga Ferrari. IMSA Camel GTP Lights Car
2nd at Daytona 24 Hour. 2nd at Sebring 12 Hour.
POA. Race at the 2025 Rolex Monterey Reunion
History
Former F1 drivers Tim Schenken and Howden Ganley founded Tiga (pronounced “Tie Ga” – as in Tiger) in the 1970’s. They designed and constructed racing cars for various categories including sports prototypes. These prototypes qualified for the C2 category in the World Sportscar Championship, including races such as the 24 Hours of Le Mans, as well as in IMSA Camel Lights races in the U.S., including the 24 Hours of Daytona, and the Sebring 12 Hours. The Tigas also competed in European InterSeries races. Today they can compete in the Classic versions of all of these events.
The Tigas were equipped to handle multiple different engines including Mazda rotary engines, Buick V6 engines, and in the case of this car, GT286 S/N 341, a 3.0 liter Ferrari V8 engine.
This Tiga Ferrari ran twenty four total races in period, including three Daytona 24 Hour, and four Sebring 12 Hour races from 1987-90.
The Tiga began its U.S. racing career with only one race for the 1987 season, the 24 Hours of Daytona. The drivers were David Loring, Roger Andre, and Willy Lewis. Unfortunately they exited the race early with engine problems, finishing 12th in Camel Lights.
For the 1988 season, the Tiga Ferrari would be managed and run by Boston area Ferrari dealer and longtime racer Gaston Andrey, and his Gaston Andrey Racing Team. The team began the season at the 3 Hour Grand Prix of Miami with drivers Uli Bieri and Guido Dacco. The Ferrari powered car was running well until an accident took them out of contention. However, three weeks later they would come back strong at Sebring.
At the 1988 Sebring 12 Hour, Uli Bieri teamed with Angelo Pallavicini in the Andrey Racing Tiga Ferrari to finish an incredible 2nd place in Camel Lights!
Bieri would be back in the Tiga for the 3 Hours of West Palm Beach race, again with Guido Dacco. There they would come 4th. At the Nissan Camel Grand Prix at Mid-Ohio the car struggled to a 9th place finish. The Tiga was back on form at Watkins Glen for the Camel Continental 500 km with Bieri and Paulo Guatamaccchi finishing 4th. Thereafter the car suffered a couple of DNF’s, and that was the end of the 1988 season for the team.
For the 1989 edition of the 24 Hours of Daytona, the Tiga Ferrari was now entered under Bieri Racing. The drivers were Martino Finotto, Paolo Guatamacchi, and team owner Uli Bieri. The Ferrari powered car went the distance and claimed another spectacular 2nd place finish in one of the world’s most demanding endurance races.
At the 3 Hour Nissan Grand Prix of Miami, Bieri and Finotto could only achieve 7th place. Suspension failure would cut short their efforts at the Sebring 12 Hours after 193 laps relegating them to 8th place. They again finished 7th at the Nissan 500 km of Road America, but bounced back with an excellent 4th at West Palm Beach. At Lime Rock, Bieri and co-driver Niki Leutwiler struggled to finish 8th on the tight Connecticut track. However, the team would be back on form at Watkins Glen with the Tiga Ferrari, now sponsored by Swatch Watches, and they scored another 4th place finish.
In July, 1989, Bieri and David Tennyson would team up for the Miller High Life 500 at Road America. There they finished 6th. That would be the Tiga’s last race for the 1989 season.
The 1990 racing season was a short one for the Tiga Ferrari. It began again with Daytona. This time the car only made 53 circuits of the course before suffering a DNF. They were just the third car out of the race, behind the Porsche 962 of Rob Dyson, and the 962 of Bill Adam. At the Nissan Grand Prix of Miami the team could only muster 9th place. At Sebring the Tiga Ferrari ran strong enough to lap 195 to be scored 6th, but they were not running at the end. This would be the last race for the Tiga for the 1990 season, and its last race in period.
In 2001, the Tiga Ferrari began its historic racing career. From 2001 through 2006, the car has run approximately a dozen times. These include test sessions, Ferrari Club days, and a few HSR vintage races at Watkins Glen and Road Atlanta. Records show that since 2005 the Ferrari engine has approximately 6.25 hours on its MWE rebuild. The car was mechanically refreshed between 2020-2023. More details are provided in the Description section below.
Some of the Tiga Ferrari’s Period Racing Drivers
Description
Tiga/Ferrari GT286, chassis number 341.
Specs & Parts ID
Engine
Ferrari F105A
82-85 308 GTB (2 valve)
Oil pressure- cranking: 35 psi
Oil filter FRAM ph2804-1.
Oil lines: -16AN Aeroquip
Water-pump bearings: SKF 6302 2RS JEM
timing belt tensioner-bearing (aluminum) 63000-2RS1
Timing belt tensioner bearings – Double wide. 63005 bearing
Gearbox & Drive-line
FT200 Hewland
Ratios:
Layshaft 13/35M.
2nd 17/30M
3rd 19/28M
4th 21/27M
5th 24/29
Trans cooler 3-7/8 wide 11-1/4 long 11 rows with 6AN Male outlets.
Clutch: Tilton (twin disc 7.25”)
Pilot Tool: 14503 Dorman
Discs: 1″ x 23 spline -pilot
Tilton HRB 60-0220
Oberg filter o-ring 600 heavy duty
Front and Rear Axles
Rear wheel bearings -Timken 18790
CV boots: GKN CV/Tripod Fast Boots – 100mm OD – Standard -Raceparts-MS6K024
Front upright wheel bearings: Timken 18790
Fuel System
Fuel pressure: 55 psi
In-tank fuel pumps (lift): dual- Walbro 5CA400-1 50psi, 27 gph (6442643
ATL Fuel bladder- filter: CAV 7111-296
Ignition
Spark Plugs: champion C57
MSD: Coil Blaster 2 -5 ohms
Firing Order: 15374826
Distributor: bearings 26mm x 8mm (width) x 10mm (shaft)
Alternator -Mitsubishi
Ultra-Flexible Banded V-Belt, Trade Number 260J6, 26-5/16″ O.C
Brakes
Master cylinder Girling .700 -3 of them
Front caliper rebuild kits AP (4 pistons are 1.5″ and the other 4 are 1.620″)
Rear caliper
4 @ 1.620″ & 4 @1.5″
Brakes: Rotors-custom (Coleman)
-DV32-1300-150 Brake Rotor, D32 , Custom, Solid Mount. 1.100 THK, 12.375 DIA, 6.440 FLG
DIA, 7.665 EYE, .250 DRILL, 12 BOLT, 7.00 B.C., .220 FLG THK, GAS VENT 4 PER SIDE W/VANE
-18844 (Brake Rotor, Option, Gas Vent 4 PER SIDE W/VANE)
Electronics
Battery box size 4″deep x 9-3/4″W x 6″H
Color code for wires under dash:
Dark green= brake lights
Yellow = parking lights/rain lights
Purple= tach signal
White= both fuel pumps
Light blue = alt field
Light blue= + for panel lights
Pink= transfer pumps inside tanks/ wiper
Orange= + for fuel pumps at fuses to main switch next to
Wiring for headlights at nose
White= grounds
Red= high beam left
Yellow = high beam right
Blue = low beam left
Green = low beam right.
Major Mechanical Repair Synopsis: (2021-present)
Engine
Timing belts, tensioners, cam seals, valve cover gaskets; all refreshed with
new genuine Ferrari parts
Brakes
Brake system refreshed & repaired
Calipers repaired & rebuilt, master cylinders rebuilt, new custom
rotors (Coleman), new brake lines & fittings where required
Castrol SRF brake fluid, brake pressure tested.
Fuel System Repairs
New ATL custom bladder installed (copy of original)
New ATL Walbro lift pumps installed in bladder
Internal surge tank replumbed
New fuel filters
High pressure and reserve pumps tested for performance & replumbed, system pressure tested.
Coolant System Refresh & Repairs
Ferrari water-pump rebuilt with OE parts, new hoses & clamps,
Radiators repaired and flushed
Thermostat & cylinder head distribution necks resealed, etc.
Coolant system pressure tested, flushed & checked for positive flow.
Oil System Refresh
Tank cleaned and pressure tested
Many new braided lines and fittings installed where required (-16AN)
O-Berg filter cleaned and new screen installed & sealed
Engine bottom plate removed and cleaned
Oil cooler ultrasonic cleaned
Ignition System
Distributor repaired
MSD checked
New wires & distributor cap/related parts installed
Electrical System Repairs
Older harness overlay and redundant wiring removed.
Connections upgraded
New fuse panel installed for Haltech management system, ignition, and fuel pumps
All lighting repaired and tested
Twin master battery kill switches rewired.
Alternator tested
Relays installed to remove load from switched circuits
Gearbox
Several rear cover and mid-housing studs repaired
Gear set noted
Some wear on dog rings and corresponding gears.
Two gear sets have wear on teeth.
CWP checked with scope and appeared satisfactory
Rear sections of case resealed
Input shaft seal changed to new
Clutch and flywheel checked
Annular upgraded to modern Tilton w/ new T/O bearing
Rear Suspension
Axles checked
CV’s serviced
New Tripod boots & cups installed using new high temp moly grease
Upright bearings replaced and serviced where required
New bearing spacers fabricated and installed
Control arms cleaned, crack checked (magnaflux spot check) painted and hardware replaced where required
Front Suspension
Wheel spindles checked, serviced, and bearings replaced where required
New intermediate spacers installed
Suspension parts cleaned, crack checked (magnafluxed spot checked) and painted.
Hardware replaced where required
Composite Work
Repairs to airbox, brake ducts, floor & diffuser
Presentation
Engine, gearbox, suspension pieces, brake components and all mechanical parts touched during service were thoroughly degreased, parts washed and/ or ultrasonic cleaned
Tub: firewall covered with new thermal barrier
Aluminum panels cleaned and polished
Body professionally polished and detailed
Engine Operational Notes
Engine build by MWE
Engine hours: From 5/30/2005 – present. Est* 6.25 hrs. These were calculated from time sheets from vintage racing events and shop testing runs after refresh. Documentation provided.
Since mechanical refresh (2020-2023) the engine has been run through approximately 6 heat cycles, totaling 1-1.25 hrs of run time
Leak down: all cylinders 10-15% hot
The engine management system (Haltech) and fuel injectors will
require tuning to optimize the engine’s performance.
Future Steps for Track Use
- A new fire system needs to be installed
- New batteries required
- Tires replaced
- Set up – should be checked and adjusted as needed or seen fit for driver
- Shocks were not checked for performance.
- The car will require sorting and thorough monitoring of all systems during testing, to assure everything is performing properly.
- The engine management system may require trackside tuning to optimize the engine’s performance. The engine has not been used under load since the mechanical repair work above was completed.
Tiga Ferrari Spare parts List
- Gear Sets (21)
- Spare gearbox dog rings (~6)
- (2) gearbox layshafts
- Slip on mufflers -set
- Rear upright Jig
- Set of springs
- Steering shaft (rack)
- (1) nose – good condition (painted, covered headlights)
- (1) nose -good for repair (gel coat)
- (1) tailpiece – good, painted
- Rear wing- low downforce
- Rear diffuser
- original seat cushions
- Vinyl number kit
- (7) front wheels
- (5) rear wheels
- Spare acrylic windshield -new
This is one of the very few “affordable” Ferrari powered racing cars. It also has successful endurance racing history at the highest levels.
The Tiga Ferrari has been professionlly maintained its entire career, whether it be in-period racing, vintage racing, or with the Ferrari Club. The current prep shop that is located in the U.S. Northeast can also provide all levels of preparation and trackside support if you are interested.
The Tiga Ferrari is maintained as part of a collection of very fine cars that includes a 288 GTO Ferrari, a Porsche 962, and a Penske PC-17 that sat on the front row at Indy. Good company.
Remember when $5,000,000 was a lot for a GTO Ferrari? Here is a chance at a still affordable Ferrari powered racing car that will be the buzz of any paddock, car show, club event, or track day. If history teaches us anything, it will also be money in the bank.
All vehicle descriptions are accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time of writing. Corrections, and supplemental information, are always welcome. Buyers are responsible for confirming vehicle histories, condition, and authenticity to their own satisfaction prior to purchase. Motorsports Market is not the owner of the vehicle and assumes no liability for errors and omissions.
(c) 1996-2024, Motorsports Market. All Rights Reserved.
Photos
Videos
Questions, Comments, Offers?
Please Contact Us if you have any questions or comments,
or would like to make a non-binding offer.
