Brian Bielanski, Editor

(RacingWire) – The first Grand-Am ready Ferrari 458 Italia GT is expected to ready in the United States as early as June.

One of the new cars is stateside but the engine package hasn't arrived yet.

Grand-Am's Managing Director of Competition Mark Raffauf told told me earlier this month at Virginia International Raceway Ferrari's new cars are progressing well and should be ready soon.

The concept for the 458 Italia GT is similar to that of the Porsche GT3 program. It's a factory built, turnkey race car; essentially delivered to customers race ready.

There are few details about the Grand-Am version of the Ferrari but it will be based on the street version of the 458; which boasts a 5.0L 90 degree V8, a 7-speed gear box, has a dry weight of 3042 pounds and a reported top end speed of 202 mph.

The car will be tested this summer with plans for it to make it's competitive debut this fall and contest the entire 2012 championship season.

One of the issues is tire size. The Ferrari will sport a 19 inch rear tire which Continental (the Rolex Series spec tire provider) doesn't currently make. Raffauf tells RacingWire there is are no worries for the tire on traditional road courses but they do want to test the tire on the high banks of Daytona to make sure it is safe handling those loads.

Another question has to do with the gear box. The street version of the 458 has a 7-speed gear box and Grand-Am's rules allow for a maximum 6-speed box. There's still no word on what gear box configuration the 458 will use.

We're also hoping to find out more about the cost of the cars and which teams are planning to race the 458s in the Grand-Am series.