Paco... Way to go on getting the serial number of the blue 599...! Now we know both...! Great pictures...!
Darlington SC, 599 Panamerican Tour, the NEW day of Thunder is among us...This is the New South baby!
Thanks for the comments about the pictures and video guys. I really do feel welcome here... just wait until I buy my F car and you will not get rid of me... hahahaha!!! I'll tell you the story behind the short stop over of the tour in my city. When I first found out about the tour I started talking to my friend the owner of the dealership... turns out he knew just as much as I did... almost nothing. He asked around and found out that the places where the cars would stop were chosen by Ferrari and they contacted the local embassies. Don't know why they picked San Miguel for their El Salvador stop... San Miguel is our second biggest city but it is mostly a big "pueblo". We tried telling them that it would be of no use to stop there but they did not listen. After telling them repeatedly that "the" place to stop was San Salvador we were able to convince them to stop for two hours on their way to Guatemala... the dealer sent out invitations to the media, Italian Embassy, Ministry of Tourism, important customers and close friends for a lunch at the dealership. He had service from the finest Italian restaurant in town and transformed the showroom in a big saloon where a press conference and lunch was to be held. Saturday was a day of rush... and finally on Saturday night when everything was ready the phone rang... they had decided to change plans and want to skip San Salvador completely, my friend goes WHAT???!!! Anyway... to make a long story short they finally agreed to stop but said they'd be here two hours earlier than planned... Saturday night at 10 pm and we all were calling everybody to let them know that instead of lunch at noon it would be a brunch at 10 am, thankfully we were able to reach most everybody and the event was a success. I've told this story so you guys know... this tour may have been thought out as a media oriented event by Ferrari but the guys in it are just eating the miles with no regard as to the goal of the trip which should be to promote the brand, show the cars and appear on every single newspaper and TV station of every city along the way.
I didn't know if any other F-Chatters (in Mexico) had spotted them or had pics / stories to share...The action should pick up once they enter California.
Well, I inspired an FCA So Cal board member to look into the whole thing. Amazing that they didn't even seem to know about the event, much less plan anything around it. Maybe us Big Market folks just take everything for granted...
I'm anxiously awaiting October 31st / November 1st when the cross I-10 through Tallahassee...can't wait!
Here's what's up. Why the guys in North Carolina get to organize at party at a race track and other Ferrari Club chapters have organized event tie-ins and all FNA throws to LOS ANGELES is a look-peek at a gas station in a crappy neighborhood is beyond me, but...WHATEVER! And what's more, I think this press release is to invite the press, NOT fans! But let's go anyway! __________________________________ FNA PRESS RELEASE All-new Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano to refuel at L.A. Shell station to kick off U.S. stage of Panamerican 20,000 WHAT: The Ferrari Panamerican 20,000 road challenge will stop at Shell stations across the United States to refuel with Shell V-Power as it makes its way from Brazil to New York City in two all-new Ferrari 599 GTB Fioranos. The tour will cover 20,000 miles in just 85 days, including a stop in Los Angeles where local car lovers can get a glimpse of Ferrari's most technologically advanced road car as both Ferraris refuel for the next leg of the adventure. In addition to this first look, auto enthusiasts can hear first-hand accounts of the journey's challenges and high points from the Ferrari team members and the Shell Technical Specialist who have been on the tour since it left Brazil. Shell customers will be treated to gifts and refreshments while they check out the new supercars and interact with the team. WHEN: Wednesday, Oct. 25 7:30-8:30 a.m. WHERE: La Cienega Shell station 8500 W. Pico Blvd. (at La Cienega Boulevard) Los Angeles, CA 90035 WHO: Shell and Ferrari Panamerican 20,000 team members and a local radio personality VISUALS: Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano's first appearance in the United States; Shell V-Power refueling. Panamerican 20,000 team will be available for photos and interviews. Please contact Beth Valone to arrange an interview. BACKGROUND: Ferrari has a long technical collaboration with Shell, which is supporting its marathon journey. Shell is providing Shell V-Power fuel, a suite of Q lubricant products and a technical support specialist every mile of the Panamerican 20,000. FOR MORE INFORMATION: Be part of the Panamerican 20,000 at www.shell.com/us/20000 and www.shell.com/motorsport and download photos and other tour information at www.shell.com/motorsportmedia.
Ferrari is really dropping the ball with this one. I've been trying to get information about the tour for a while now because they're coming through the DFW area. The dealer knows nothing, FNA won't say anything, other FCA chapters know bits and pieces but nothing definite. It's really frustrating. This should be a coast-to-coast rolling parade of Ferraris, people jumping in where they can to ride for a few miles and then handing off to others. It's as if Ferrari NA just doesn't give a darn at all about anyone who already owns a fcar.
Seems the areas with a smaller Ferrari population are getting preferential treatment on this one. I have no complaints..
Actually, I think they care a lot as we are the base of future purchases and word-of-mouth (flame suit on); maybe I should say they INTEND to do this. I'm beginning to think that the 599 Tour's seeming lack of consistent fan/owner inter-action could be just a case of departments not speaking to each other or maybe also interdepartmental feuds at play (PR vs. Marketing vs. Advertising vs. Sales vs. FNA vs. Ferrari SpA). Who knows? You'd think a company as small as Ferrari could get all these elements working in unison, but sometimes PR events like this are viewed stupidly with a tunnelvision perspective of acheiving specific narrow goals (get the press to pay attention, period) and not stepping back 10 feet to see that there are great cross-media opportunities that could also be taken advantage of. Who the **** knows?
They will be at Richmond International Raceway on Nov.7 from 10-3pm. I am supposed to be in Scottsdale, AZ on the 7th but I got invited and I am trying to move things around to attend. Brad
This was never meant to be an event for the masses. Case IH is the major sponsor for the tour here in the US. Their parent company happens to be Fiat (sounds familiar). We (Ferrari Club of America-South Carolina Chapter) were contacted by the PR firm handling the event. They have opened the event to only 24 cars. Each car owner and a guest. We will gather for photos and to view the car. The Petty and Andretti driving schools will also be there for hot laps around the track (Darlington). But, there will be no driving, sitting, smoking or eating around the cars. But the great news is that Case IH will be holding agri-business seminars for their execs and we can attend!!!
Locally, our stop in Darlington South Carolina has very little to do with Ferrari -- and a whole lot to do with Case/International Harvester. The big ag-equipment manufacturer must be a big sponsor of the tour, and they're the ones calling the shots for our local event. Very tight rules. Supposedly, we cannot take any pictures or post them on the web after our event. (JMF "David", correct me if I'm wrong) d
They are stopping here for Service, Tillman... C'mon down, we'll make dstacy take us as his FCA "guests".....LOL!
