Caption: In front (from right): Ferrari F430, followed on pit line by 430 Spider, 360 Modena and 328 GTB. In background, parked in parallel (from right): blue Ferrari Mondial, Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano, Ferrari Mondial, Ferrari 575M Maranello
Ferrari. emotive, exotic, desirable cars. Even in wealthy areas, it is not easy to see a Ferrari every day – these cars are too rare and are simply not everyday cars. So if you want to see many Ferrari cars on one day, all together… on a race track? Go to the annual Ferrari Club Day, held every July at Kyalami.
The Ferrari Club is officially called SEFAC (Southern Equatorial Ferrari Automobili Club). SEFAC members arrived for a day of fun on the Kyalami race track, armed with their own Ferrari, or two. Cars were grouped into categories and went out for a few laps in their allocated time slots to great delight of the wishful spectators dripping with desire and the lucky owners dripping with cash.
Pit lane access
Unfortunately, getting close to the Ferrari cars (hustled together dripping money in the pit lane) were the preserve of the exclusive Ferrari circle of Club members and their lucky connections. Entrance to the event is free to public but these mere mortals had to be content with peering through the fence, sit on spectator stands, or stand from a distance on the roof and drool – hopefully not drooling too much. Many admirers were bitterly disappointed by this strict security control so left, or spent the day chilling at the restaurants listening to the noise of angry Ferrari cars and drivers howling around the world-famous track. They came to see red Ferrari but ended up seeing the unwanted emotional red too. Apparently visitors from previous years desecrated some Ferrari cars by scratching or stealing badges from these expensive prize possessions, so security control was strict – maybe the theft of these badges explains why there are so many CitiGolfs and old Corollas driving around meaninglessly with Ferrari stickers?
Which Ferrari’s were There?
There was more than enough eye candy, with a good representation of Ferrari ranging from the old classics like the Daytona and 308 through to the F40 and F50, to recent sought-after cars like the spine-chilling F355 and smooth 360 Modena and quite a few current production F430 and 430 Scuderia models, plus a couple of hugely-expensive 599 GTB Fiorano with their 6-litre V12 456kW masterpieces. It was such a disappointment to not see the latest Ferrari California launched last year, despite the assurance from a Ferrari representative that 6 of these cars had already been delivered in SA. It would have been exciting to see Ferrari's first folding-hardtop cabriolet in the metal, on the track. Also absent were truly rare examples of this rare breed – cars like the 288 GTO, 456 GT and the ultimate Ferrari Enzo (named after founder Enzo Ferrari).
Of course the "experts" were also present, trying to educate others by loudly announcing that the one passing now is a Ferrari 386 (which doesn't exist) and that the one over there is the new California (which is in fact an F430).
The Line-up of More than 150 Ferrari’s
The highlight of the day was the line-up of more than 150 Ferrari on the main straight. This parade is always a photo-opportunity that should have a minute of silence honoured by Tifosi (Ferrari fans) and all present, to show respect to Ferrari. It isn't, though the awe in silence is tangible. Once all the cars were lined up, the public were allowed to move among the magic machines. Ferrari is expensive, so counting the huge quantity of R3million+ current and recent models (with some worth over R4m each) assembled in a sea of Rosso Corsa (Ferrari red paint), one spectator correctly observed "So this is what a billion Rand looks like". A traditional Italian pasta selection followed for lunch. I couldn't even eat, being satisfied with delicious hot red Ferrari.
The Models (the truth)
Front and right (in white):Ferrari 308 GTS Quattrovalvole, a newer engine model of the 308 GTS famously used in the 80's TV series Magnum P.I. – the GTB had a fixed roof, where these GTS have the removable centre roof panel. QuattroValvole means 4 valves, identified by the fog lights under the bumper.
In front:
Ferrari 328 GTS. In pit garage, profile of Ferrari 550 Maranello and front view of Ferrari 348ts
Centre: Rear of the really wide Ferrari Testarossa, meaning Red head (thanks to its red cylinder heads). The width is needed to house the boxer 12-cylinder engine. Notably the first Ferrari without the trademark 4 round taillights.
Ferrari F40. Simple name for a frightening car – it was designed as race car for the road, using a V8 twin-turbo and lightweight body, with all luxuries deleted. The dashboard is felt, and there are no door panels or window winders..
Ferrari F50. High-tech design and powerful V12 engine, with big nostrils, air scoops and spoiler on the bonnet (since the engine is at the rear).
Ferrari F355 berlinetta. The utterly gorgeous and timeless design classic, with a sound like no other from its screaming V8. 355 denotes 3.5-litre 5-valve, being the first car with 3 inlet and 2 exhaust valves.
Ferrari F355 GTS (removable roof section), Ferrari 355 F1 spider (F1 is for the Formula 1 technology in its automated manual gearbox), and Ferrari F355 spider (spider referring to cabriolet).
Ferrari 575M Maranello. This is the modified (M for Modificato) model superseding the 550 Maranello, which saw the return of the classic front-V12 rear-drive 2-seater Ferrari GT car.
Ferrari Superamerica. No-one has ever done a roof like this – the carbon-fibre roof section cleverly flips backwards into the recess above the rear wheels. Very very rare car.
Current production V8 brothers – left the supercar Ferrari F430 and right the hardcore Ferrari 430 Scuderia.
The BIG-daddy Ferrari, the Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano. Shattering performance, looks, technology. R4million plus (Top and bottom).
: David S :
Full member of the South African Guild of Motoring Journalists
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