Geneva, Illinois Gathering?

Sounds like a great idea. I think we need more of these kinda of gatherings. I will check schedule with the Mrs. I think one of kids has a football game at 7:30pm sat. of all times.

 

Hello Bill! Welcome to the Board!! And huge Congrats on your new baby!!! What year, Color combo is it?

Hmmmm... That just might work out for us. My son lives out there in St. Charles, and he has 2 Soccer games in Geneva that day. That night, we are headed out to Rockford for the night, as, the annual "World Wheelstanding Competition" and Drag Racing at 'Byron Dragway', which is about 10 miles South of Rockford is the next day, Sunday the 8th. And we like to get there early for a great seat.

But, we will definitely try to make it!

 

Yes, my 308 is also the classic Red/Tan. (But, personally I do like them in any color combo.) These cars are truly "Timeless Works of Art", IMHO. I get people asking me all of the time if mine is a "New Car". It's very clean, but is 25 years old! (Mine was built in January of 1981. And I bought it in January of 2001.) But, then again, I love ALL Ferrari's. (And Italian Cars, for that matter.... )

Yeah, don't be too disappointed, I don't know what it is either. But there really isn't a very responsive group of Ferrari owners here in the Chicago area that like to get together, or go for Drives much. It's usually always the same dedicated 1/2 dozen - dozen or so. (Other than a couple really nice shows that the FCA puts on a few times a year. They get a great turnout. Those shows are very nice, but, that's not driving. Personally I prefer to Drive my car!...) Maybe it's just due to not all of them being aware of these things. I mean, I see dozens of Ferrari's in the Ferrari Dealership work shops whenever I stop by them. And, I bet that maybe 10% of them are probably aware of Ferrari Chat-Chicago. And this is usually where the events are posted.

Some of the local Car Dealerships and Car Clubs put on "Track Days". And they aren't "Picky" or specific of what kind of car (within reason, that is) that you bring there, even if it is a different Automobile Marque than what their Dealership sells, or the Car Club represents. Fox Valley Motorcars in West Chicago sells All brands of Exotic Cars, along with New Lamborghini and Lotus. And they host Track Days, as do the local Ferrari Dealerships. The Chicago Alfa Romeo Owners Club also does. They are a pretty active little club, too, regardless of how many show up. I went on a really nice drive up and around Southern Wisconsin, (Monroe, Spring Green, areas) Last year on 2 lane country roads ALL DAY!! It was a BLAST!!! (BTW....Chuck or Peter. Where have you guys been? Please post some of your events here once in awhile, too!) Maybe we need to get the Italian Car owners of ANY/ALL Italian Car marques to get together here to get better showings for events.

But I'll tell you. When I was into Corvettes. The comraderie and turnout was awesome! (Though there are way more Corvettes around than Ferrari's and other Italian Cars. But, then that makes it that much more special, IMHO.) 'Vette people LOVE to get together all of the time for Drives, Shows, Brunch or Dinner, Track events, you name it! Anytime they get a chance to. Somehow, they always manage to MAKE the time to do so.

Also, I am a very good Cook, and I know several Restaraunt Owners. They are always asking me to "get the Ferrari's over for a little Car Show and Lunch or something." I did once, and had a really good turnout. My friend Jimmy at Ciao Bella says that we "need to get over there and do that more often!"... The food there too is Great! So, it can be done!...

But especially, with the short driving season that we have here in the Midwest. Then, after Family, Home and Job prorities/responsibilities. You aren't left with a lot of time to get out and drive that Special Car that you have "longed for" with others that feel the same way. Gotta take adavantage of those rare times!

When I got my Ferrari almost 6 years ago, I thought it was the same way with the Ferrari crowd. But, I guess that It wasn't. I mean, personally, I really enjoy getting together with other Ferrari and Italian Car owners. To talk cars, Drive and just get together. That is one of the reasons that I bought it. Oh well, The folks that DO come and get together are a really nice bunch. And you will enjoy meeting them, I am sure. So, that is all that really matters.

Ofcourse, like I said, there are probably twice - 3 times as many Ferrari owners in the area that do not even know about, or use Ferrari Chat. So, they aren't aware of get togethers. (Judging by all of the Cars seen and listed in the "Spotted" section that don't reply here in Chicago FChat.) We should print out some kind of little Flyer to hand out or put on the Windshield wiper of Ferrari's and Italian Cars when we see one while we are out and about. With the Ferrari Chat website printed on it.

Anyway....Looking forward to meeting you and it looks like you will be one to "come out and Play!"

 

We need some publicity! Photos and stories submited to papers, attractive posters of local Ferraris decorating Italian Restaraunt walls, flyers or business cards to place on Ferraris (members' and non-members' cars*) or to leave at exotic car dealerships. Everything would have to have the FerrariChat.com URL. People are interested to participate, especially if invited.

* How would a car owner feel about finding a flyer stuck under the windsheild wiper of their car?

 

Bill,

I think it would be too time consuming for a media blitz for every event FC has, but we could use some overall publicity to steer people to this site, and then let the forum to the per-event-publicity.

If after the event, someone has a nice picture or a blurb they can write, the local paper might be interested in dropping in a story somewhere. I would think the restaraunt could benefit from the publicity and a picture of the restaraunt with cars from the "old country" in front of it. Who couldn't look at that picture if they saw it in the paper? It's a free ad for the restaraunt.

I will not be able to make it to this event, it sounds like a nice time, and it's even sorta in my neck of the woods.

 

I don't think it would be a big deal. Most would probably appreciate it, not even knowing about this forum. I was just thinking of making up something on the computer with the Microsoft Word program. Not even a whole page, maybe half, and cut it down to size. Just saying something like: "Hello there, fellow Ferrari Owner! Have you ever checked out: www.ferrarichat.com "Chicago section"? We'd love to see you 'On Board'. Looking forward to meeting you sometime for a Drive! Thanks!" Or something along those lines....

Ever go to a Car Show or Cruise night? Then, you come back from walking around looking at all of the other cars and there are Flyers left on your front seat for upcoming events. Usually left there by other "Car People" who have the common sense to be very careful when putting them in. I have come across, and attended a few really cool events that I was otherwise unaware of because of things like that.

But, personally, I would rather hand one to a driver and tell them "Hey! check it out! We'd love to see you on board!"

 

I couldn't agree more! Oh well, thats 2 of us anyway. And there surely are a few more that feel the same way and like to get together.

But, I find it both amusing and puzzling....There are thousands, and most here on FChat, who would LOVE ... who would give their right arm .... (Well, maybe not that extreme. Need it for shifting... ) to be in the position to go for a nice drive in their FERRARI, especially, with others.

Perhaps a nice Fall drive in a few weeks when the colors are in full bloom? We have this really Great Drive that follows the old "I & M Canal" Roads, that starts out in Joliet, and ends up at Starved Rock that Chuck from the Alfa Club came up with. We've done it every year, and it is a really nice drive.

Are you, and anyone else for that matter, up for that? If so, we can plan something.

It is mostly clear, open 2 lane highway roads that parallel the Canal. Nice scenery. Then, periodically slow down as it rambles through one of the few old "River Towns" that had sprouted up back in the 1800's. Then, we hit Starved Rock for some Lunch, Pix. and comraderie. Also, a fantastic overlook that looks over the whole Illinois River and Valley. Not unusual to see Hawks or Eagles floating in the air.

If anyone is up for it, post here and we can put something together. And, it will take most of an Afternoon, so, if anyone needs to leave early, you can just take I-80 back home. Quick & Easy.

 

You got it!