Dennis (Bighead)
Junior Member
Username: Bighead
Post Number: 80
Registered: 2-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 08, 2003 - 10:26 pm: | |
Ferrari Club of America, New England Region
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Snow. So wonderful when we were blanketed in white before Xmas, so enjoyable when heading to the White Mountains for some downhill runs, so enchanting on a quiet winter's evening. So incredibly d*mn annoying when it's DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME, for gosh sakes, and you're itching to break out the Ferrari for some spring flings.
http://www.photoaccess.com/share/guest.jsp?ID=A1E4942671F&cb=PA
Someone up there must be smiling down at the tifosi, however, as the only sunny, dry day in two weeks came this past Sunday, when we gathered to worship at the church of Maranello! Twenty people and ten Ferraris gathered in Bolton on Sunday morning for a quick, fun 90+ mile run through the back roads of central Massachusetts, despite the roads being still somewhat covered in places with sand and salt. The indomitable Bruce Male didn't lift for a second in his stunning yellow 275 GTB/4, driving along in the wake of road flotsam thrown up by a 355's aero tunnels. Dan Watkins' black 360 Modena was so covered by salt at the end of the drive, one observer thought the car was actually gray.
Our Connecticut representatives, Dave & Fiona Friar in their Testarossa and Charlie & Alex Vest in their 308qv continued their tradition of attending every event in New England, while we welcomed Rhode Islanders
Chris and Kathy Fagas in their 308 to their first FCA/NER touring event! Also joining us for the first time was Hugh McIlrevey in his Testarossa, and Shawn Broderick in his 355 Spider. Gary and Suzanne Hinicker admirably led much of the flying wedge down Route 2 on the blast back to FoNE in their Testarossa (four TRs in total!), and the Lovely Jamie (tm) and I tagged along in her 355 Berlinetta. The drive was a blast, despite the less-than-ideal conditions, as we combined some back roads with some high-speed fly-bys along Route 2. Amazingly enough, I've broken my string of runs-in with the local constabulary... I didn't have to shuffle my feet once in chatting with the carabineri once on this outing!
We finished our run with a triumphant parade down Washington Street to Ferrari of New England, Tubis blazing away, where we ceremoniously snarled ourselves up trying to make 10 u-turns simultaneously. We finally managed to park, whereupon the dealership kindly took our cars away to be cleaned and checked-out, gratis. There were already dozens of other Ferraris parked around the store, and some very interesting cars parked inside -- a pair of F40s, an F50, a 550 Barchetta, some 575Ms, and lots of customer cars on lifts awaiting service. While waiting for the rain-delayed GP of Brazil to start, we proceeded to pillage our way through lunch, and some members used their 20% discount on some very attractive boutique items, including this incredibly radio-controlled 360GT race car (that came in a leather case that alone cost more than my last suit, I'm sure).
Once the race started, nearly all of the 75+ enthusiasts there crowded around the big-screen to watch the action. Some people hung out in the service area to watch Kevin, FoNE's master tech with over 30 years of Ferrari experience, diagnose their problems (Chris and Kathy Fagas suffered from a seized water pump, but in the most fortuitous place -- in the parking lot!). Steve Oldford, service manager, ran around with a big smile on his face, accommodating everyone's needs. Bryan Haggerty, the General Manager, and Nick Scelsi, Maserati Sales Manager, met dozens of new faces, while Mark sold lots of Ferrari clothing and posters and the ever-fetching Lindsay greeted newcomers. Philippe, of course, was being, well Philippe.
Although the race didn't end in the best of ways for us tifosi, it was quite exciting and very enjoyable to watch. Thanks to all the usual suspects who came out, and it was great to finally meet lots of enthusiasts just joining our ranks. Lastly, thanks to Ferrari of New England for being our generous host, and we hope to see all of you at our next events!
vty,
--Dennis
As always, check out http://www.fca-newengland.org for events.
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