Just curious if anyone else has ever offered a ride to a kid in your Ferrari

Last weekend I took my 6 year old granddaughter for a ride, with the top down. She had a great time and waved to everybody. Later when we went to the grocery store she told the checker that her Grandpa has 3 Ferrari's and a Jagwire, with great pride. Later we both got our asses chewed out by Mom and Grandma for not using the child seat!!!!!

 

While your intentions are certainly in the right place, I'd be cautious giving rides to random strangers. Even the excited ones you've just chit-chatted with.

I did recently give a ride at a track event to an EMT. It was arranged by the dealer and was a "birthday gift". I was happy to do it, and despite her initial fear and reluctance, she loved it. And, we were starting to click off some pretty fast laps.

The effect these cars have on people is transformational. After a bad incident, however, the Wounded Warrior program is no longer participating in the local track events, I don't think. And, if there were ever anyone I'd be happy to give a ride to, it's a wounded vet.

CW

 

I've met 10 or 12 Ferrari owners and none have ever offered me a ride. But it's understandable; I didn't know them very well. If I had a Ferrari I would be cautious to who I let ride in it. You don't want a lawsuit on your hands... It sounds crazy, but you never know. I've never ridden in one, but I'd rather buy my own and drive it anyways.

 

I have met and talked with strangers about my car. I havent taken any for rides yet, although I am not opposed to it. It just hasnt happened to this point. I have given FChatters I just met rides before, but I do consider that a little different.

@Kev33 - when I get to Savannah plan on a ride with me ok?? We will take care of that not having ridden in a Ferrari thing you got going on....


PDG

 

Wanna come to Palm Beach??

Never ridden or been asked to ride in one. One day!

Several people have asked me if I'd like to sit in there cars. But never a ride.

 

Definitely!

 

Jay, if I make it to Palm Beach you are first in line!!!!

Or when I get to Savannah, if you make it up there you get a ride too!!! I figure Oklahoma is probably a bit far to drive for an FCar ride at this point.


PDG

 

In all the years I have Ferrari's (that's over 20) I've never been asked once by a stranger if they can go for a ride (aside from jesting or yelling at me as I drive by).

I think it's a bit presumptuous to ask a total stranger if you can ride in their car.

Now, I've had a lot of people ask to sit in it or take a picture with it. I've had a lot of people ask permission to take a picture. So, people are usually most respectful.

Would I let a stranger ride with me? Depends on... well, factors that I won't go into detail here....

 

FWIW, anyone who catches me wherever I am and asks - I will be glad to take you out for a spin. I actually love doing that. Its just that in my one year of ownership I havent done it with strangers I just met.


PDG

 

I've done it a few times. A little risky to do, but the reaction from the kids and parents is usually overwhelmingly positive.

Here are a few pics from some of my latest passengers.
We were all packed up ready for the drive home when these kids came up and started admiring the car.
Their parents okayed a quick ride in it when I offered.
I gave each one a quick 5-minute trip involving a light burst of acceleration for a 1st-to-2nd gear shift and a little cornering in an empty parking lot so they could feel how the car held its balance in a corner.
They were all grins at the end of our mini test runs.
.
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

Well, I would hope not

 

Fantastic story Robert!

I have taken many strangers for a drive in my Ferrari.

Even let one of them have a drive as it was his 30 th b'day.

Here he is. A day he certainly will never forget.
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

I have done a few for Ronald McDonald house sick kids, as well as several kids from the sick kids hospital in Montreal when I was living in Ottawa. Not sure I would pick one up at a gas station though.

 

I've offered up rides for our statewide Make-A-Wish, but noone has ever taken me up on that offer.


PDG

 

I consider it my duty to undo (to the extent possible) the public-percieved-snobishness of typical Ferrari owners. I give ride to anyone who actually shows up for the ride and is willing to get in.

 

Right after I got my F-car my nephew had just returned from his 3rd tour of Iraq (he's a 'River Rat' in the Navy) and found out through his wife that I have a Ferrari. He was coming from Norfolk, Va with his wife and kids and stopped in Jacksonville, Fl to visit some buddies and came down with a really bad flu and had to head back home. He was so excited about getting a chance to ride in the car but it just wasn't meant to be. Of course his vacation was cut short as well.

It's not looking good for the next year because of my schedule and his. I think I'm just as disappointed as he was. I'll get a chance to see them but without the car.

 

While I routinely let kids clamber through my car and take pictures, there's absolutely NO way that I would allow myself to be alone with a stranger's child. Just too much risk. All it takes is one false accusation, and one's life is destroyed forever.

I admire those with a different mindset; I hope you don't get hurt.

 

I've been going to VIR (local track, about 3.8 miles around) with my Ferrari for several years and the same crew of corner workers and pit personnel always seem to work the Ferrari Club events.

Last week, during the lunch hour we were taking some parade laps (moderate speed, nothing crazy). The pit steward, Burt, who has been responsible for safely getting me onto the track, and back off the track for years was sitting around. Mind you, this guy has worked at Grand Am and DP events around the country for a long time --- so he knows the track and how to drive. I trust a lot of my safety to Burt and these corner workers with every revolution of my wheels on track.

I asked him, "Burt, want to take a spin?" "Sure!", he says. As we approach the car, I gave him the keys and I took the co-pilot seat. It was his first time driving a Ferrari -- after working with our club for YEARS and ensuring we were all safe and happy. It was odd to see him driving the 348 around the track, but he was (as expected) gruesomely knowledgeable about every inch of pavement, and equally careful with the car. He wasn't afraid to drive hard, but he never crossed the line of safety either.

He beamed from ear to ear, and it made me really happy to share the experience with him.

 

Nice on Daniel!

 

I love talking Ferrari with people that are genuinely interested, and I have let quite a few people sit in the car for pictures at gas stations and hotel car parks.

I have taken grooms to weddings, couples (in the 612) to special events etc, and it always makes me smile as it is so rare for people to experience these cars. I have been reasonably lucky throughout life (heart attacks aside haha) and am happy to share the cars with anyone who has a genuine interest or passion for cars

 

Every Father's Day our FCA/New England Region puts on a Concorso Ferrari event where one of thus highlights is driving in parade to the CT Childrens Medical Center and 40 Ferraris pick up 40 kids from the hospital and give them a ride through the streets to the Concorso for the car show. Talk about a humbling experience.

 

That's an awesome thing you did and I'm sure you changed his life in some way.

I'll never forget being a seven year old kid living in Ohio and seeing my first Ferrari. Luckily for me the owner was as gracious as you and let me sit in it, ask questions, and then took me for a ride. A Ferrari in 1978 northeastern Ohio wasn't exactly a common sight.

It's not an exaggeration to say that this small gesture is 100% responsible for the start of my Ferrari obsession. From that day forward I was obsessed with Ferrari and did everything I could to learn anything and everything I could about them. To this day I still get fired up when I see a 308. Thankfully that dream car of my youth is now attainable once I manage to free up some cash (prepaid college ate my Ferrari fund!)

Kudos to those of you who have such a kind heart and can see past all the litigious nonsense to help keep the dream alive.

 

Last night after dinner, my family and I were walking back to my Porsche and I saw a lady and her husband snap a cell phone pic of my car. I walked up and asked if she just took a pic and she says "Yes, isn't this a beautiful car!". I thank her and she's a little unsure since I'm now the owner and unlocking it. I then tell her, you would get a better shot if you guys sit in it. They're happy as clams living you know where and explain that their son is a big Porsche fan. He's in college and his dream is to own one. So I made sure they got lots of pics to send to him with them sitting in it. I also told them to make sure they tell him they bought it and they're spending his inheritance!

My son has been lucky enough to get to sit in other folk's cars, so it's important to pass that good karma along.