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These are the top 10 highest-grossing auctions of Scottsdale 2015

Scottsdale always brings some pretty high-value metal across the auction block, but this year saw a particularly pricey array of classics trade hands. In fact, Hagerty reports that, with over $292 million in total sales from the various auction houses present, this past holiday weekend saw an 18 percent increase over last year – the second-highest year-to-year increase in Arizona automobile auction history. The Pratte Collection auction handled by Barrett-Jackson sold to the tune of $35.5 million, accounting for a large portion of overall sales, but even without that staggering array of classics, there was still an enviable array of machinery on the block this year. The highest-value lot not only of this year's event but of any year prior was the 1964 Ferrari 250 LM that RM Auctions sold for $9.6 million. And as you might have guessed, Ferraris accounted for the lion's share of the top ten results this year – including the first, second, third, fifth, seventh, eighth and both the lots that tied for tenth place on the list. In fact, three out of the top ten were Ferrari 275s. Coming in second place was the 1966 Ferrari 275 GTB Competizione that Bonhams sold for $9.4 million, which – like the 250 LM – was also raced by Scuderia Filipinetti. It was followed by a '59 Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spyder sold by Gooding & Company for $7.7 million. Barrett-Jackson sold a '66 Shelby Cobra 427 Super Snake for over $5M, Gooding handled a '62 Ferrari 400 Superamerica ($4M), and Barrett-Jackson's 1950 GM Futurliner brought in another $4M for charity. The remaining top ten was filled out by a '67 Ferrari 275 GTB/4 ($3.6M – RM), a '73 Ferrari 365 GTS/4 Daytona Spyder ($3.3M – RM), and a '54 Pontiac Bonneville Special Motorama concept ($3.3M – BJ), with a '66 Ferrari 275 GTB/2 Longnose and an '84 Ferrari 288 GTO tying for tenth place at $2.75M apiece by RM. Featured Gallery Top 10 at Scottsdale 2015 View 11 Photos News Source: Hagerty Ferrari Auctions Classics bonhams rm gooding hagerty

Toro Rosso switches back to Ferrari F1 power for 2016

Scuderia Toro Rosso will run once again under Ferrari power next season. The "other" Italian squad (and second Red Bull team) announced the switch back to Maranello power for 2016, ending its two-year sojourn with Renault, and returning to the engine supplier it used for seven years prior. And with it, the team has also confirmed its driver lineup for next season as well. The 2016 Formula One World Championship will see both Max Verstappen and Carlos Sainz return to drive the new Toro Rosso-Ferrari STR11, maintaining the same driver lineup as this past season but under new motivation. Both drivers debuted with the team last season in a complete shakeup of its roster after Jean-Eric Vergne was shown the door and Daniil Kvyat (like Daniel Ricciardo before him) was promoted to the Red Bull Racing team. In ten seasons on the grid, the team has only landed on the podium once, and that was with Sebastian Vettel's dramatic rain-soaked race victory at Monza in 2008. The fourth-place finishes that Verstappen impressively took in Hungary and Austin this year match the team's next-best results to date. Sainz managed to finish in the points in seven out of 19 grands prix this season, including a seventh-place finish in Austin. The team finished the season in seventh place – tying its second best results to date – ahead of Sauber and McLaren, but behind Lotus and Force India. The Austrian parent company bought the team formerly known as Minardi back in 2005, hitting the grid the next season under its current name and Cosworth power. The following season it switched to Ferrari engines before joining its big brother under Renault motivation for the past season. Because of the last-minute engine swap, the team will start the season using Ferrari's 2015 power units. Faenza's switch to Ferrari supply will leave Renault powering only two teams next season: the Lotus outfit that it is now bringing back in house, and Red Bull, which will run the French automaker's engines for at least one more season – albeit branded under the TAG Heuer name. Meanwhile the Prancing Horse marque will power a total of four teams next season, including its own, Toro Rosso, Sauber, and newcomer Haas. Mercedes will power three and Honda just the one. Scuderia Toro Rosso to feature a Ferrari power unit Scuderia Toro Rosso's 2016 challenger, the STR11, will feature a Ferrari power unit. It marks a return to the company that supplied engines to the team from 2007 to 2013.

Ferrari FXX K could get even more extreme Evoluzione version

Whenever a new Ferrari comes out – a mid-engined one especially – speculation begins to ramp up over how the boys in Maranello could make it even faster. When the 458 Italia was revealed, for example, focus immediately turned to what would become the 458 Speciale – just as the F430 begat the 430 Scuderia before it. Ditto LaFerrari, which was instantly projected to breed a new track variant, and that's exactly what we got with the debut of the FXX K in Abu Dhabi last month. And now that it's here, speculation is beginning to mount for an even more hardcore Evoluzione version. Look over the history of Ferrari's Corse Cliente version and you'll see the original Enzo-based FXX was followed by an FXX Evoluzione, and the subsequent 599XX bred a similarly enhanced 599XX Evoluzione. It would stand to reason, then, that an FXX K Evoluzione could be in the cards, but it won't come anytime soon. Speaking with Autocar, Ferrari test driver, former grand prix pilot and Le Mans winner Marc Gene said, "Right now, I think we cannot improve" on the FXX K, "but no doubt something will come up. I wouldn't be surprised if it happens, but it won't be in two years." Approximately three years separated the debut of the FXX and FXX Evo, but the 599XX was only out for a year or two before the 599XX Evoluzione came around. If and when a FXX K Evo does arrive, Gene figures it will focus more on weight reduction, efficiency and handling than on power. As it is, the FXX K already produces 1,035 horsepower, after all. Given the nature of the XX development program, however, owners of the FXX K can expect their track machine to get incrementally more advanced as the Prancing Horse marque uses the program to test new components.