With a third consecutive Drivers’ World Championship and a fourth
consecutive Manufacturers title, the annual end of season Ferrari
gathering was held in high spirits at the Santa Monica Circuit at
Misano Adriatico. This, allied to unseasonably warm and bright
weather, plus the many banners and flags bearing the ”Cavallino
Rampante” and tifosi in ”fancy dress”, made for a carnival like
atmosphere around the track. ... more >>> |
The town of Maranello is Mecca for Ferrari enthusiasts world-wide, you may not easily
gain access to the Ferrari factory, but there is a wide variety of choice for the aficionado to
appreciate during a visit. You can see and hear F1 cars testing at the Fiorano track, visit
the factory run Galleria Ferrari, enjoy a meal at the Cavallino restaurant, shop for
memorabilia and, more >>> |
Several years ago, December used to be a not too important month for European
Ferraristi as far as Ferrari events were concerned. The situation changed in 1998, when
Brooks auctioneers held their first ”Ferrari only” sale in the as famous as exclusive
Swiss winter resort of Gstaad. Names may change, but British traditions don’t: Again
held at the prestigious Palace Hotel, the auction — that also included a sale of Patek
Philippe wristwatches and fine diamond jewellery... more >>> |
Whenever one flies south from the wet and grey of a November day in London one
expects warmth and sunshine! Not the case with Porto this November, it was pretty
much the same as London, and stayed that way for most of the weekend. However, the
prospect of an interesting collection to view meant that my spirits weren’t as damp as
the rest of me. The private collection is situated in a small town just outside Porto,
succinctly hidden away behind a football stadium in a pair of unprepossessing
buildings that give no clue to what lies within. .... more >>> |
Birmingham may not have the allure of Paris or Geneva, but the bi-annual international
motor show still attracts most of the major manufacturers, plus many foreign visitors to
the halls of the National Exhibition Centre close to Birmingham Airport on the southern
outskirts of the city. Its value, particularly to British manufacturers, is proven by Aston
Martin, Lotus, MG Rover and TVR all presenting new models for the first time. Another
world premiere was the resurrection of the Invicta .... more >>> |
The Paris Salon, the Mondial del’Automobile, held its Press Days on 26 – 27
September, where the international motoring press gathered to witness the unveiling of
no less than fifty world or European premieres. Some of these were new models like the
Renault Megane II, whilst others were radical concept cars like the Citroen C-Airdream,
and they ranged in size and price from the Smart Roadster to the latest limited edition
Ferrari supercar, the Enzo Ferrari, more >>> |
Spain is not a country with a strong classic car culture, but it does have a core of
enthusiasts who often have to travel abroad to appreciate their passion. In 2001 a
group of enthusiasts in the north western town of Vigo decided to get their own classic
car show off the ground. It proved popular and gave them the encouragement to repeat
the effort in 2002. Thus Retrovisor 2002 came to be held over the weekend of 13 – 15
September in Cotogrande, Vigo adjacent to the local airport., more >>> |
The 2001 edition had been the largest show up to then, but demand for space for the
2002 running was so strong that the organisers used a larger third hall this year. This
was linked to the two main halls by an enclosed walkway, to provide a total of over 50000
square metres of exhibition space. Within the three halls were around 1000 vehicles of
all descriptions, displayed on around 170 one-make club and numerous trade stands,
with the extensive autojumble area featuring around 300 traders .... more >>> |
The Ferrari racingdays were held at the Nürburgring in Germany. The varied programme
of this mega-event included exiting races in the Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli, the
spectacular Ferrari Shell Historic Ferrari Maserati Challenge and demonstration runs of
Ferrari Formula 1 cars from six decades. The 2002 Formula 1 World Champion, Michael
Schumacher, gave some on-track demonstrations of his incredible driving talent. ...
more >>> |
Tomas Enge of the Czech Republic and Peter Kox of The Netherlands won the GTS
class in the Prodrive Ferrari 550 Maranello, stopping the seven-race winning streak this
season by the factory Corvette team. The Ferrari was clearly the fastest car throughout
the race, only losing the lead during pit stop exchanges, Anthony Lazzaro and Ralf
Kelleners in the Risi Ferrari 360 modena finished 2nd in GT, more >>> xtra>>> |
The Le Mans Classic was held for the first time over the weekend of 21 – 22 September,
using the full road circuit and featuring both day and night races for classic cars divided
into five age related groups, more >>> |
The fifth annual running of the magnificently organised Goodwood Revival Meeting
once again attracted a fine array of classic machinery, period costume and spectators
in their droves, to the picturesque Sussex circuit over the first weekend of September,
more >>> |
The fortieth anniversary of the legendary 250 GTO was celebrated by a number of
owners at a private gathering in the Bourgogne region of France, between 9 – 13
September. A total of twenty three examples took part, almost two thirds of the total
production, coming from as far away as the USA and Japan, more >>> |
Coppa d'Oro delle Dolomiti - This important road race was held in the late 40's and
50's in the Italian Dolomites around Cortina d'Ampezzo. Paolo Marzotto at the wheel of
one of the famous Ferrari 225 S Vignale Spyder could win the Gold Cup in 1952. 50
years after this first heroic victory for this little Spyder, from September the 6th to 8th
2002, the 30th Coppa d'Oro tool place, more >>> |
The Monterey Historic Weekend is an amalgam of four separate gatherings plus major
car auctions and exhibitions, which in combination provide a veritable feast of exotic
machinery for the automobile enthusiast. Only two are linked, those being the inaugural
event of the weekend, the Tour de Pebble Beach and the final one, the prestigious
Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, more >>> |
History was again made at the Sebring International Raceway. The Ferrari Owners Club
Florida Region held its summer track event and it was a success. We had over 45 cars
show up each day, which culminated with a concours on the runway at the airport where
beautiful Cavallinos mingled with the airplanes. All the drivers enjoyed the race track, as
it offered them a chance to drive their cars ...., more >>> |
The weather for the Ferrari Maserati Festival at Brands Hatch was decidedly
changeable, ranging from brilliant hot sunshine through to heavy showers, in fact
typical English summer weather! Friday practise enjoyed the best of the weather, with
hot sun and only light cloud to provide some respite from the rays, whilst Saturday saw
a period of rain around lunchtime which prevented the F1 car demonstration taking
place. Despite heavy overnight rain Sunday morning remained, more >>> |
Auto Italia magazine returned to its Brooklands venue for a superb two days of Italian car
circuit action and displays, amidst the historic buildings and aircraft that make up the
Brooklands museum complex. Blessed with a hot and sunny weekend, the event
attracted large crowds of enthusiasts on both days together with a wide range of Italian
cars and motorcycles, plus numerous trade stands offering a wide range of
merchandise. Even without an event going on, the Brooklands Museum ... more >>> |
On the day that Brazil won the Football World Cup Final, the Ferrari Owners’ Club
celebrated its 35th Anniversary with its National Meet & Concours in the pastoral setting
of the grounds of Cottesbrooke Hall to the north of Northampton. The event was well
supported by members, despite the clash with the football (it may have been different
had England reached the final!), with over 420 Ferraris in attendance during the course
of the day, fortunately enjoying fine weather throughout the proceedings, more >>> |
It seems quite incredible that it is already ten years since the first Goodwood Festival of
Speed was held, and all the more amazing that the initial quality of the gathering has
been maintained and expanded, such that it sets the standard by which others are now
judged. This year was no exception, with a truly impressive array of machinery covering a
wide spectrum of two and four wheel motoring activity, plus great support from the
numerous sponsors, to provide a superb feast ...., more >>> |
The Parc de Bagatelle, once frequented by colourful people like Louis XV, Marie-
Antoinette and Napoleon III, was chosen some years ago by the prestigious French
fashion house as the venue for their annual Concours d’Elegance. The connection
between Louis Vuitton and automobiles goes back to 1907 and 1908, when the
company equipped cars with tailor made luggage for the Peking–Paris, more >>> |
To be ”suitable” to purchase one of the 349 examples to be made, one has to be a long-
time Ferrari customer, and one should (have) own(ed) an F40 and an F50. Some of
these lucky few were invited to an unofficial presentation of the Ferrari Enzo Ferrari —
even officially being referred to simply as ”Enzo” — that was held on Thursday, June 27.
more >>> |
Montreux is one of the most famous towns in Switzerland, known for its almost
Mediterranean climate, although being located on the Eastern shores of Lake Geneva.
The chic city of Montreux hosted a spectacular Ferrari-event on the weekend of June 22
to 23: The Montreux Grand Prix, more >>> |
The Ferrari Club Nederland organised an educating tour along a couple of companies
that are related to classic car restoration and detailing. Although the whole of the tour
was very well organised and a pleasure to watch, the highlight of the day was crossing
the Neder-Rijn river with 30 classic Ferrari on a small ferry, more >>> |
The weather could not have been any better, the 360 Challenge returned to Zandvoort,
and the dunes and grandstands were absolutely packed with spectators. The event
lacked a real highlight like a Formula 1 demonstration that featured here in the past, but
an absolutely overcrowded paddock with visiting Ferrari and some really exciting action
in the 360 challenge made the weekend worthwhile nevertheless, more >>> |
This popular French classic race meeting, which hosts one of the largest one make car
clubs gathering in France at the charismatic banked circuit to the south of Paris...... ,
more [gallery only] >>> |
Each year a different region of the Ferrari Club of America hosts the club’s Annual Meet.
This year it was the turn of the Southwest Region, who hosted the gathering in Los
Angeles, California. The headquarters for the event was The Century Plaza Hotel on the
Avenue Of The Stars, in the Century City suburb of the city, close to Beverly Hills and
Hollywood. Registration commenced on Wednesday 22 May in the plaza level foyer of
the hotel, where participants staggered away from the registration ...., more >>> |
A very nice event was held on the weekend of June 14 to 16 near Lugano in
Switzerland: The 7th “Ferrari Day”, organised by Loris Kessel Auto S.A., the authorised
Ferrari agent for the cantons of Ticino and Grisons. Event patron Loris Kessel is well
known to motor sport enthusiasts through his engagements in saloon car races,
Formula 3, Formula 2 and even in Formula 1. Loris Kessel has since ..... , more >>> |
Fastest overall was the Dutch team of John and Jan Bosch in 1971 Ferrari 365 GTB/4
Competition "Daytona", the ex- successful 1972 Tour de France and 1974 24H Le Mans
Ferrari. It was very admirable watching John Bosch pushing his Ferrari around Imola
and up through the narrow winding special stages. Jan Bosch, father of John: ”…......it’s
incredible to be the co-driver of my son but I really did have fun.” more >>> |
The event for the 5th year has won the "La Monovella d'Oro" trophy for a superb classic
car event and in 2002 the A.S.I. has ranked it best of all. The event runs over 300 km's
of passes thru the wonderful Dolomites, stage cities are San Martino di Castrozza,
Bassano and Marostica, the prize giving will take place in the medieval Castello
Superiore, more >>> |
Four Audi R8s started the 70th edition of the Le Mans 24 Hour Race and four took the
chequered flag at the end of the gruelling marathon, three of them filling the podium, with
the fourth example from Audi Sport Japan taking fifth place behind the Bentley EXP
Speed 8. The winner was the number 1 car of Biela/Kristensen/Pirro, who completed a
trio of back to back wins both for themselves and Audi, quite an outstanding
achievement, even though their strongest opposition came from the sister team cars,
Not only were the Audis the fastest cars throughout practise ...., more >>> |
Scrutineering on Thursday took place in the Piazza della Vittoria, our 10:30 a.m. arrival
was far too late to have a quick passage through the procedures. It was 3:00 p.m.
before we were scrutineered , and the clouds were becoming ominous warning us of a
rainy start – so the Mille Miglia 2002 in advance seemed that it would not break with
tradition…., more >>> |
Traditionally the Spa Ferrari Days opened the European season for the Historic
Challenge. A weekend that brought lots of rain to the Ardennes and the circuit of Spa-
Francorchamps which obviously influenced the action on the track. For the first time in
Europe the monoposto class shared the grid with the drum braked cars. Both the disc
brake races featured John Bosch driving his 512 M to victory, leaving the second place
for the 312P Boxer driven by William Binnie, more >>> |
Like every year, the Techno Classica in Essen, the 14th issue, has to be seen as the
best possible season opener for all classic car enthusiasts. It is recognized now as
the world’s largest classic car show with more than 100.000 visitors, ca. 800 exhibitors
in 15 halls, various club and book stands, more >>> |
The third running of this little known event outside the Modena region took place in mid-
April, and seems to grow in stature each year. It is organised by Modenatur, who bring
together a combination of ancient and modern, speed and elegance, culture and art, to
provide a broad ranging event to celebrate the town’s inescapable link with the
automobile, more >>> |
As the Tour Auto retrospective gathering entered its second decade with the eleventh
running, it boasted a richly diverse entry list of some two hundred cars, that was a
veritable cornucopia for the classic car enthusiast. There was an Alfa Romeo Tipo 33
from Japan, no less than six Ford GT 40s, Porsches aplenty, with examples of 356, 904
and 906, plus of course a raft of 911 variants , more >>> |
Fabrizio Violati is one of the most famous Ferrari-collectors in the world, known as an
enthusiast of the marque since 1965, and also as a privateer racer as well as a
successful entrant of uncounted historic races. The major part of Violati’s huge Ferrari-
collection is on display in the Collezione Maranello Rosso, based in Falciano in the
small Republic of San Marino, more >>> |
Especially the huge gathering of rare Alfa Romeo automobiles gave this years Villa
d’Este Concorso a special note. Watching all these wonderful pre – and post-war Alfas
on this weekend one could easily imagine, how important this marque was for the
whole automobile development, more >>> |
The 12 Hours of Sebring has now been an important part of the endurance race
calendar for half a century! As part of the fiftieth anniversary celebrations, the organisers
had a marquee displaying a selection of former winning cars in the paddock area.
Amongst these were a Maserati 450 S, # 4503, a Ferrari 250 P, # 0810, a Ford Mk IV, a
Porsche 917 K in Martini Racing livery, more >>> |