My first Ferrari experience

On to the first half of the story.

So A few months ago at the end of June one of my friends asked if I could cover his morning shift at work next day (we work as bellmen/valets at an upscale golf resort in central Washington). I had nothing going on the next day so I decided to take the shift.
The next day I arrived at work and started to look at the schedule so I’d know what events we had planned. The words “Ferrari Lunch” quickly caught my attention. I walked up to my manager to figure out what was going to happen. He told me “ oh about 6 guys come up in Ferraris for lunch”. Well the day progressed and Kuzi arrived in an F430 Scuderia 16m ( before this I had never even seen a Scud in person let alone a 16m) and his friend also arrived in a yellow Challenge Stradale. Several minutes later a long line of Scuderias and Stradales came in. I started helping all the owners back their cars up in a somewhat organized fashion.
The area that they all parked in was right in front of a column of rooms with balconies. I told a few of the guys I’d get a room available so they could get some birds eye pictures. I told the guy I had been talking to ( stockpro here on fchat) that the room was ready. So as were going up to the room we all start talking about cars and such. It quickly became evident once I mention the GT-R and I didn’t immediately hear, “ well it’s still just a Nissan,” that I was talking to some top tier car guys. After taking a plethora of pictures we all started back down to the main lobby. Stockpro asked me if I would give him my contact info and he’d try to set up a ride for me. I never grabbed a pen and paper so fast.
So I had known about Fchat for a few years and lurked here and there but never bothered to register because I thought it’d never be something for me. That afternoon after I got off work I quickly came to this site and registered immediately.

Fast forward 2 months.

I had a recruiting event at Safeco field so I requested a few days off and sent a message to Stockpro. We eventually decided that Monday would work best. Unfortunately even in the summer Mother Nature likes to throw curveballs up here in western Washington. We decided to meet up at 7pm. At around 3pm my worst fear came true, it started to rain, and it didn’t let up for an hour. By 6:30 though the roads were dry and we were back on track.
I met Atomic 80 at his house ( Amazingly beautiful home) and he took me into his garage and I immediately got all giddy once I saw his yellow Scuderia. I stood outside as he started it up ( Amazing exhaust note!) and pulled it outside. He then motion for me to get in. I had to pinch myself to make sure I wasn’t dreaming. I never ever thought the day would come where I’d get to go for a ride in such an amazing car.
My first impression was this isn’t a car, it’s a work of art. The mix of suede and carbon fiber was just breath taking. Not as breathtaking as the sound of the exhaust when Atomic 80 flipped the switch to free up the exhaust. I was amazed at how comfortable yet stiff and supportive the seats were. I could really tell this car was meant to be driven to the limit with the bright yellow tach front and center and the f1 style indicator on the steering wheel.
At this point we were cruising along waiting for the car to warm up and I was have the time of my life. Every time he would rev the car just a little bit I would grin just a little bit more.
We are now on our way to meet up with Stockpro at his amazing house. We pulled up in front of the garage and I saw his Stradale and still didn’t believe this was happening. The Stradale needed fuel so we headed to go fill it up. For the first time I was on the other side of the Ferrari gaze. Before I was the one staring but now I was looking back at all the people stopping in their tracks to catch a glimpse of these two amazing works of art.
After a few minutes both drivers started to drive a bit more briskly. Atomic 80 switched the car into race more. The speed at which the gears were being changed was blistering, and it sounded like precise rifle shots.
Nothing compares to going down a freeway onramp and then going through the gears. I had done the same in my father’s cam’d corvette but this what something new that I had never experienced before.
We headed up to the Newcastle golf course to take some pictures. Even at this very nice up scale golf course everyone who walked by had their eyes cemented to these cars.
First Atomic 80 let me get in the driver’s seat of his Scuderia. Every other time I had seen a Ferrari it was behind a velvet rope surrounded by “ do not touch” signs and now I was in the drivers seat. The first thing I noticed was the ample amount of headroom. I’m 6’4” so there are not to many cars I can comfortably fit into ( not even taking into account the head room I’d need to accommodate a helmet for an HPDE.). The Scuderia was just amazingly comfortable.
Next I got into the divers seat of Stockpro’s Stradale. I could immediately tell this car was a bit more Race inspired as everything was just a bit simpler and stiffer. Since I rode up in the Scuderia I rode down in the Stradale.
My first impression of the Stradale was “holly rev matching goodness”, the sound the engine makes when shifting gears was just freighting and awesome. I couldn’t get enough. As soon as the minivan in front of us turned off the street and we had a nice straight away Stockpro wound the car out through a few gears. I won’t say how fast we went but lets just say it put a smile on my face. The sound that was created by the engine at WOT was simply intoxicating.
After our back roads escapade we it was starting to get dark out so we headed back to Atomic 80’s house. We talked about cars and I got to see Atomic’s hobby room.
When we were at Newcastle Atomic 80 Asked me to describe his car, I was speechless and barely blurted out “amazing”. The whole experience can only be described as raw, uncut, automotive ecstasy. The three and a half hours I spent with Stock Pro and Atomic 80 changed me. My whole outlook on life is completely changed and so has my demeanor. When I was sitting in the Stradale Stockpro asked me “ so are we looking at a future Ferrari owner?” The answer is simply yes, it’s something I’ll be working towards. The whole experience really inspired me to really work hard my last year of school and to get started on my CPA sooner than later.

To Stockpro and Atomic 80 thank you so much for setting this up for me. You two have without a doubt have changed the stigma I once had about Ferrari owners. I could not have had better ambassadors to the Ferrari culture than you two. Once again thank you very much.


-YGH


* credit for the amazing pictures goes to Atomic 80*

Having some trouble attaching images through the site. I'll try to upload more after work.

 

You couldn't have started out with a better couple of guys.

Your description of your experience brings a smile to me and many others as we all experienced these things once upon a time.

Welcome.

(I imagine somebody will be along shortly to expound on the virtues of Lamborghini over Ferrari etc ............................................)

 

Ian,

It was a pleasure having met up with you again! We had fun that night didn't we?

I wanted to correct something on your end, that was Kuzi's house you met me and stokpro. That's it...I'm glad that you were able to give such a detailed account of your experience and that it has changed your perspective on us F-car guys. We are all the same here. I'm also humbled by the ownership of the Scuderia which is my first F-car. It was many other F-car owners such as Kuzi, h20skier, etc that has enabled me to experience these cars firsthand which eventually led me to buying one for myself! I vowed along with stokpro to always try to give others the opportunity too!

Thank you again for taking the time to write about your experience! I enjoyed reading and reliving the evening with you and stokpro.

Jason
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Amazing write up!

The more I read posts like this, the more I look forward to my first Fcar ride!

Sound's like you had lots of fun.

Kudo's to them setting up for you. That's awesome!

Amazing shots!

The look on your face in the driver's seat of the Scud is priceless!

 

YGH - wow, nice write up! You're more then welcome man! Bet your co-worker will never ask you to cover his shift ever again. LOL!! Glad you enjoyed the WOT WOT WOT! It's always fun to share the Ferrari experience. There's something magical about these cars. I'm certain you're on the right track to Fcar ownership soon.

 

These often rare posts never fail to put a smile on my face and warmth in my heart.

Love the cars...love the guys who own 'em....love FChat.

As ol' Pappy would say, "Life is Good!"

 

Ian, I've followed your posts from your first encounters helping with the lunch - you understand customer service. I smiled reading your account from Monday. I smiled even more with the thought of a CPA driving a Ferrari - work your plan, plan your work and do it!

 

My only question is why didn't Atomic allow you to drive the Scud?

Nice write up.

 

Because I had to save that experience for the next time Ian is in town. I know from experience that the first time riding in one would be too overwhelming. Same with Alex, he had to "warm up" in yours first before he drove mine this morning.

 

You guys keep this up and we're going to have a bunch of folks flying in for drives and rides. LOL! Remember Jmusser3r? http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=254668 He's coming back this weekend for another drive before he heads off to play ball for the Phillies.

 

Oh yeah, they are some of the most down to earth car guys I've ever met. On the lamborghini, I was told by a salesman from Lamborghini of Bellevue that I was to tall to fit in one.

Fun is quite a drastic understatement. Monday evening was truly a life changing experience for me. My old perception of the brand and it's owners has been erased and rewritten. Believe me when I earn my Ferrari, and I with out a doubt own one, I'll be taking everyone and their mother out for spirited drives.

Thank you very much

Yeah the guys up here in the northwest are a class act! I will tell you this, your face starts to get sore after grinning like that for hours on end, I don't mind it though.

Yeah sorry it took me so long to get it up here. It was fun writing it and trying to remember every detail though I'm sure I left out so much. One of my coworkers though I was lying to him, so I had to log on during work and show him the pictures.

I've set what I think is a reasonable and attainable goal for Ferrari ownership. As long as nothing crazy happens like, getting a girl pregnant or some nut jobs trying to end the world in 18 months, I don't see why it wouldn't happen.

Once again thank you so much for everything.

Oh yeah you'll be seeing much more of these around these parts. One of my new favorite forums for sure.

Yeah that lunch was breathtaking for me, I didn't have to go to the car show because it came to me. I'll be working very hard to obtain Ferrari ownership.

Lol, that was my first time even sitting in a Ferrari.

:O well... I'll have to take a trip back west before I start school. I agree it would have been a bit overwhelming but believe me I don't think I could have had any more even just riding along. I'll make sure the next time we meet up there isn't anything crazy going on because I really would like to go through the I-90 tunnels....

I've been looking at those BBR models online after seeing the one you have, they truly are amazing.

That's just because the Pacific North West is where it's at! Can Jmusser3r fit in any of the hardtops?



-YGH

 

Be careful Ian. Right now you could easily contract the Exotic Car Envy sickness. This is an Auto Disorder that if left unchecked it could escalate into Exotic Car Ownership. You would face a lifelong condition that would almost certainly take over your entire life. This condition has been known to consume your every conscience moment as well as invade you dream state. Males are at most susceptible, but some women have been know to contract this also. Fortunately there are very few known cures.

 

Congrats Ian, great post!

 

It can be done with a modified seat. The big problem is having big WIDE feet in any of these cars. I did my first drive in bare feet because my shoes were too big to fit between the pedals.

Two words, FOCUS and PRIORITIES.

 

I have really enjoyed reading this post . . . It's funny how things come around. Jason (Atomic 80), I doubt you remember me, but we first met several years back when you hosted a dinner at your home for a bunch of M5 owners. It was great talking to you that evening and chatting about cars. I vividly remember telling you about my desire to one day own a Ferrari. You had just taken delivery of your Porsche but expressed a similar interest in one day owning a Ferrari. It was great to read Ian's post and hear about your kindness and generosity. Congratulations on your Scud and I look forward to meeting up with you again some day to chat about cars.

 

Of course I remember you. You're the one with the darker colored hair that had that Chiratto (sp?) colored M5. Will you one day own a Ferrari as well?

 

Good Memory! I still have the M5. About 2 years ago I purchased an 86' 328. In fact, one of my favorite photos of it was taken by you when I showed up one Saturday morning for the get together that used to take place on Main Street in Bellevue: http://jasontang.virtuality.org/exoticsonmain05312008/DSC_8793.

Ian, my sincere appologies for hijacking your thread. It's no Scuderia, but if you're ever in Kirkland, you're welcome to take a spin in my 328.

 

Speaking of first experiences, I just had my first Lamborghini ride today.

UNBELIEVABLE.

While it's no Ferrari, I was still giggling and smiling the whole time

 

That "SEG" cannot be faked -- the smile is all too real! Congrats, and nice write-up!

 

Lets hear the story!

No worries you have a pm by the way.

 

Yeah I'm just now starting to realize this....



Also looking through the "garage links" is it a requirement for Jason to take pictures of your car if you live in the northwest ( lol) ? It's not hard to see why, he creates awesome photos. When I get the chance I'll be having some from my first outing printed and framed.