Cruise
Ferrari: Three syllables encompassing a legend of impeccable style, performance and reputation. Named for founder Enzo Ferrari, just the word itself rolls luxuriously off one’s tongue. The brand is indeed prestigious and the rearing stallion logo a proud one — instantly recognizable and inspiring. Those who cannot afford the four wheels may add a touch of Ferrari to their lives with everything from key chains and teddy bears to high-end mobile phones and laptops bearing the familiar stallion. While the speed and strength of a stallion may seem the reason for its choosing, there is a quite a story behind the trademark.
In 1923, while driving for Alfa Romero, Ferrari was asked by a countess to use the horse symbol on his race cars, offering that it would bring him luck. Her son, a national WWI hero, had painted it on the side of his planes. Enzo added a yellow background for his native town of Modena and topped it off with red, white and green stripes for, of course, the Italian flag. “SF” represents “Scuderia Ferrari,” loosely translated as “Team Ferrari.”
Speed and performance have been priorities since the cars’ inception. It is perhaps the performance (aside from the price tag) that has earned said reputation as, through the decades, Ferrari has satisfied man’s need to achieve a speed of 60 miles per hour in as few seconds as possible (the Ferrari F430 manages this feat in four).
Originally, Ferrari began producing street cars only to finance his racing team (having been a participant in Formula 1 since day one). Ferrari’s influence on the global racing scene manifests in more than a myriad of wins and trophies, however. Certainly the recent coup of partnering with A1GP is a testament to the company’s renowned prestige. Formed in 2004, AIGP “pits nation against nation in the World Cup of Motorsport” and “promotes countries and utilizes the national patriotism instilled in every person on the planet, not only attracting traditional motorsport and sporting fans, but exciting anyone who is passionate about their heritage, country and population.” More simply put, the racing teams comprise 25 nations, each racing the same car provided by a single manufacturer to ensure a level playing — or, in this case, driving — field. And now, Ferrari is the face of this global phenomenon.
The international reach of Ferrari has also found a home here in the South Carolina chapter of the Ferrari Club of America. Its 50-odd members get together for races, parties and the occasional fundraiser. Its president, David Scott, shares how he acquired his taste for Ferrari:
“Personally, I have always enjoyed cars, but I call myself an accidental enthusiast," he says. "One night, during the height of my divorce, I was sitting at my computer. I said to myself, I have to get out of this funk, and looked on eBay. I was going to buy a Ford Shelby 350GT, but then thought, I'm going to be single, why not look at Ferrari....I saw one I liked in San Diego, flew out, and the moment I saw, or rather heard it pull up to pick me up at the airport, I was hooked. I knew I was going to be an owner. The experiences and friendships I have developed have been priceless. As President of the South Carolina Chapter of the Ferrari Club of America, I feel it is my mission to share the joys of Ferrari with all.”
Outside of the racing world, Enzo Ferrari was noted for disliking customers, as he felt they were more interested in the prestige of the brand, rather than the fine-tuned precision and performance they possessed. It is a stigma still plaguing Ferrari owners, generally thought of as a certain type (read: obscenely wealthy with nothing better to do with their money and a Freudian need to overcompensate). When asked about the sort of person who “thinks Ferrari,” Scott offers, “…auto enthusiast, racing fan of F1, someone passionate about cars,” but admits, “…or perhaps easily impressed by ‘money.’ The latter being the least desirable reaction. But let's face it, it is an expensive hobby.” Such rare, well-engineered, fine-tuned machines are costly beyond the initial purchase price. “I recently saw an $11,000 bill for a belt service… It is not uncommon for it to cost over $1 per mile and sometimes over $2 per mile to drive these cars in service work.”
Many, including the Vatican, see such luxury vehicles as “an expression of power and domination and an occasion of sin." Scott counters, “I admire people who put their money where their mouth is. We do use our cars to raise money for charity, such as the Ferrari Cup Challenge in Asheville for the Special Operations Warrior Foundation that raises money for the children of fallen Special Ops, or Buddy Delaney's Ferrari Fest in Columbia. The event in Asheville has raised over $150,000 for this cause in just the two years it has been in operation.”
The dollar amount of Ferrari ownership may be multi-figured, but what of the aforementioned joy? No price can ever be put on that which is so tenuous. What are the “joys” of a Ferrari? According to Scott, there are many! “(It) makes me feel alive and lifts my spirits when I am down. (It) opens up new friendships and opportunities to share with others….The sound of the engine, the thrill of driving alone on a twisty mountain road or racing on the track at breakneck speeds and of my ears ringing after a day of driving and experiencing my Ferrari...and of sharing it with others and the good friends I have made that otherwise would not exist.”
Originally envisioned as an unbeatable feat of engineering, modern day Ferrari has surpassed Enzo Ferrari’s dream of the perfect race car becoming a global symbol of glory and prestige that is not out of reach for those who share his passion and love of superior motoring (and have the bank account). If you’d like to learn more about the South Carolina chapter of the Ferrari Club of America, visit fca-sc.org.
In 1923, while driving for Alfa Romero, Ferrari was asked by a countess to use the horse symbol on his race cars, offering that it would bring him luck. Her son, a national WWI hero, had painted it on the side of his planes. Enzo added a yellow background for his native town of Modena and topped it off with red, white and green stripes for, of course, the Italian flag. “SF” represents “Scuderia Ferrari,” loosely translated as “Team Ferrari.”
Speed and performance have been priorities since the cars’ inception. It is perhaps the performance (aside from the price tag) that has earned said reputation as, through the decades, Ferrari has satisfied man’s need to achieve a speed of 60 miles per hour in as few seconds as possible (the Ferrari F430 manages this feat in four).
Originally, Ferrari began producing street cars only to finance his racing team (having been a participant in Formula 1 since day one). Ferrari’s influence on the global racing scene manifests in more than a myriad of wins and trophies, however. Certainly the recent coup of partnering with A1GP is a testament to the company’s renowned prestige. Formed in 2004, AIGP “pits nation against nation in the World Cup of Motorsport” and “promotes countries and utilizes the national patriotism instilled in every person on the planet, not only attracting traditional motorsport and sporting fans, but exciting anyone who is passionate about their heritage, country and population.” More simply put, the racing teams comprise 25 nations, each racing the same car provided by a single manufacturer to ensure a level playing — or, in this case, driving — field. And now, Ferrari is the face of this global phenomenon.
The international reach of Ferrari has also found a home here in the South Carolina chapter of the Ferrari Club of America. Its 50-odd members get together for races, parties and the occasional fundraiser. Its president, David Scott, shares how he acquired his taste for Ferrari:
“Personally, I have always enjoyed cars, but I call myself an accidental enthusiast," he says. "One night, during the height of my divorce, I was sitting at my computer. I said to myself, I have to get out of this funk, and looked on eBay. I was going to buy a Ford Shelby 350GT, but then thought, I'm going to be single, why not look at Ferrari....I saw one I liked in San Diego, flew out, and the moment I saw, or rather heard it pull up to pick me up at the airport, I was hooked. I knew I was going to be an owner. The experiences and friendships I have developed have been priceless. As President of the South Carolina Chapter of the Ferrari Club of America, I feel it is my mission to share the joys of Ferrari with all.”
Outside of the racing world, Enzo Ferrari was noted for disliking customers, as he felt they were more interested in the prestige of the brand, rather than the fine-tuned precision and performance they possessed. It is a stigma still plaguing Ferrari owners, generally thought of as a certain type (read: obscenely wealthy with nothing better to do with their money and a Freudian need to overcompensate). When asked about the sort of person who “thinks Ferrari,” Scott offers, “…auto enthusiast, racing fan of F1, someone passionate about cars,” but admits, “…or perhaps easily impressed by ‘money.’ The latter being the least desirable reaction. But let's face it, it is an expensive hobby.” Such rare, well-engineered, fine-tuned machines are costly beyond the initial purchase price. “I recently saw an $11,000 bill for a belt service… It is not uncommon for it to cost over $1 per mile and sometimes over $2 per mile to drive these cars in service work.”
Many, including the Vatican, see such luxury vehicles as “an expression of power and domination and an occasion of sin." Scott counters, “I admire people who put their money where their mouth is. We do use our cars to raise money for charity, such as the Ferrari Cup Challenge in Asheville for the Special Operations Warrior Foundation that raises money for the children of fallen Special Ops, or Buddy Delaney's Ferrari Fest in Columbia. The event in Asheville has raised over $150,000 for this cause in just the two years it has been in operation.”
The dollar amount of Ferrari ownership may be multi-figured, but what of the aforementioned joy? No price can ever be put on that which is so tenuous. What are the “joys” of a Ferrari? According to Scott, there are many! “(It) makes me feel alive and lifts my spirits when I am down. (It) opens up new friendships and opportunities to share with others….The sound of the engine, the thrill of driving alone on a twisty mountain road or racing on the track at breakneck speeds and of my ears ringing after a day of driving and experiencing my Ferrari...and of sharing it with others and the good friends I have made that otherwise would not exist.”
Originally envisioned as an unbeatable feat of engineering, modern day Ferrari has surpassed Enzo Ferrari’s dream of the perfect race car becoming a global symbol of glory and prestige that is not out of reach for those who share his passion and love of superior motoring (and have the bank account). If you’d like to learn more about the South Carolina chapter of the Ferrari Club of America, visit fca-sc.org.