So... you don't use the pit passes often... so you don't think you'd mind giving them up to a paying customer who just happens to want to go to a European/US GP?
Certainly sounds like a possibility. What's the exotic car market like these days in Thailand, and the rest of South-East Asia? I was reading that Thailand is a popular place for Westerners to retire.
You'll be shocked to know that we have to face an import tax of 300% on cars over here between the coconut trees. Hence a new 360 from the importer cost US$ 475,000, for the 575 it's going to set a person back US$ 700,000, and last but not least the Enzo for a meager US$ 1,875,000. I guess for reasons of high acquisition cost there are only 270+ Ferraris in Thailand. In return for spending huge amounts of money a person get to drive at relative ease since the roads are ok and there's not much hassle from the police. Have a look at my Sprinters thread for a better idea of what we get up to over here, actually just last Sunday I organized a trip for 24 cars to have lunch at a beach resort. Yes, Thailand is a popular place for foreigners to retire, there's actually a new free tax incentive for those retiring here that was initiated by the government not so long ago. Most of the foriegners find them selves attracted by our gorgeous islands to retire, most end up buying their dream villas by the beach or perched on the hills overlooking the sea. For example Rory Byrne the Chief Designer of Scuderia Ferrari is going to be retiring down in Phuket after a few more years. Others prefer the mountains of the north of Thailand, like a very good friend Jess Pouret, better known for his books on Ferrari, actually keeps a yellow Daytona in Chiangmai. Likewise, I also dream of retiring on a tropical island, and to have the luxury of driving a 250 SWB along one of those fantastic beachs. Just a distant dream for now.
Unbelievable. And I thought we had it bad in Australia. Here, a new Ferrari 360 Modena is around AUD $420,000 (USD $304,000) and a 575M Maranello is around AUD $550,000 (USD $399,000). There are less than 5 Enzos in Australia, and none are street legal due to them being left hand drive. Not sure what they cost, other than being well over AUD $1 million. A Ferrari F40 was sold in Sydney a few months ago for AUD $850,000 (USD $616,000) and 355's can be had these days from AUD $190,000 (USD $138,000) for an early model 6-speed to $280,000 or so for a 1999 F1 (USD $203,000). The reason for our high prices is import tax as well as this nasty thing known as "luxury tax", which is put on all higher end European cars. It's sad to think people are punished for buying quality European cars, yet encouraged to buy mediocre cars from Asia, which are now flooding the market. I believe exotics are very expensive in Singapore as well, although I don't think it's as bad there as in Thailand. When I was in Singapore a year ago, Mercedes were everywhere! Sounds fantastic. Sooner or later I plan on taking an exotic on a similar road trip across the countryside of somewhere with more 'relaxed' road rules. The promotional video showing the Ferrari F430 retracing the Carrera Panamerica route in Mexcio has me inspired! I know a few Westerners who live and work on the coast. They love the relaxed resort-like lifestyle. Rory Byrne, eh? How interesting, I wouldn't have guessed.
The only thing I remember from when I was in Singapore many years ago, was that to run an old car is extremely expensive ... thus you hardly ever see an old car on the road. Some sort of tax comes in to play. Thus I guess you would not see many 'classic' Ferrari's there ... plus the tropical conditions (and I assume Thailand would be the same) would hardly be good for slowing the rust process. Pete
Unbelievable. And I thought we had it bad in Australia. - Now you know that you have it good. Here, a new Ferrari 360 Modena is around AUD $420,000 (USD $304,000) and a 575M Maranello is around AUD $550,000 (USD $399,000) - That's cheap. There are less than 5 Enzos in Australia, and none are street legal due to them being left hand drive. - That's a lot of Enzos, we might only get 1 Not sure what they cost, other than being well over AUD $1 million. - That's cheap, like I told you nearly US$ 2 mil. A Ferrari F40 was sold in Sydney a few months ago for AUD $850,000 (USD $616,000) - That's cheap, US$ 800,000, and there's only one. A 355's can be had these days from AUD $190,000 (USD $138,000) for an early model 6-speed to $280,000 or so for a 1999 F1 (USD $203,000). - That's cheap, US$ 200,000 for early model and US$ 230,000 for a late model Rory Byrne, eh? How interesting, I wouldn't have guessed. [/QUOTE] - Local wife perhaps?
Many people have asked why should a person bother to own cars with such high prices in such a tropical environment. I guess we only live once and like to keep those things that we treasure most very close so we could enjoy them as much as possible.
I am still very confused as to how you gained access. Is it something you dont wish to share? I notice you dodging the question. I dont mean to be rude but what do you expect when you post those pictures. I have some friends who were in the pits at the USGP and it was all because one of them was a doctor to a Tommy Hilfiger exec who got them access into the pits. Do you work for AMD or Marlboro or something of that nature? Please share with us if you dont mind.
Yes, to tell you the truth I'm actually surprised at the interest that fellow F-chat members have with regards to the opportunities that I've enjoyed at GPs. The reaction from the pics that I've posted have been interesting to say the least. Yes, I admit that it's not every day that you would get to see pics that are so close that it makes eyes of F1 fanatics pop out. Trust me I have more facinating pics, taken at GPs and at the Scuderia Ferrari F1 factory in Maranello. If you have a look at the pictures of me holding the trophies you could see that my passes aren't the designated ones for sponsors, being for Marlboro, Shell, AMD, etc. Those that I am lucky to have are VIP Pit Pass for the entire season that are given to special guests of Scuderia Ferrari. It allows access to ALL areas, that includes Paddock, Pit, Stands, etc, etc. So, I'm not a doctor, or an employee of Ferrari, or working for one of the sponsors, just a VERY GOOD friend of the Scuderia Ferrari.
Dear theera, I`m following your f1 thread since a few days. Still wondering whats all about????? You have started the thread with some awesome great pics and the people were very happy to see such rare pics. You have been asking in a very friendly and serious way: whether the pics are realy your own pics after you told them fakes. And how you got the oportunity to visit Ferrari in the pit lane and got a green VIP All Access Pass? IMO there are only 2 ways for a serious answer: a.) Tell them who you are or why you have got the Pass ..`cause you know .bla,bla b.) Tell them you don`t want to talk about `cause you are not allowed for any reason . Both answeres will be respected and highly appreciated! The thread is now running over 4 pages. Just 1 page, the first, with pics and the other 3 pages are only all about the mystery. Come on don`t drive the gents here envious , thats not cool. theera, please don`t get me wrong! Its just a friendly advice and its up to you how to handel it. I know what I`m talking about! I have been at several F1 GP`s this year and posted most of my pics here at fchat.com. for sure the people wanted to know: WHY ? Here are my pics from the: Nürburgring F1 GP 2004 http://ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=19331 Hockenheim F1 GP 2004 http://ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=25234 And here is a pic from my All Access Pass for 2004 (all around the world) presented by: Scuderia Ferrari Malrboro for: VIP Guest Pass Number: 20533 Best Regards from Heidelberg, Germany to The Big Mango Wolfgang
Wolfgang, Firstly, I must say that you have some really nice photos of the two GPs on the recommended thread. As you have experienced yourself having those passes are definately a benefit, it's a real shame that only a small number of people get to have them. Personally I think that F1 is really distancing itself from its fans. Nice hearing about you following this thread from the very start. Rest assured that I'm still baffled by the amount of interest that the thread has generated, considering the fact that there must be others out there that have been privileged with such pit passes. Thanks for acknowledging that the pictures I've been lucky to take are awesome, the appreciation is definately shared by many of those in the F-chat. Again I must confess that the pictures are mine, and now they are for all to enjoy. Sorry but the "Fake" part of this thread was only meant to be a joke, because like you I wasn't prepared for all the fuss that followed. In actual fact, I've already answered why and how I got the pit passes, thats by knowing some good people that have been very kind to me. Its not all about money, its about friendship. The last point about "drive the gents here envious, thats not cool", how about if I told everybody about my experiences like having RB giving me driving lessons, or having raced one-on-one with MS in go-karts to see how fast I was, or staying over at JT house in Maranello because the hotel was full, or having mobile phone numbers of all these people, etc. So, since you know what you are talking about, in your opinion would anybody believe me?. Oops, have I said too much.
Dear theera, thanks a lot for your kind reply. Yes, I do believe you! Why not? RB, MS, JT, RB a.s.o. are all usual human beings like you, me and all the others. I have once answered a PM asking me some private secrets about the Ferrari gents as following: We have been together after dinner in the restroom and I swore you: I haven`t seen a golden sparkling ray .its the same p*** J Anyway, its a real pleasure & honor to meet this gents and see live whats going on backstage. Hope to meet you in the future somewhere in the world on the track. FORZA FERRARI Wolfgang
No problem. Hope to meet you one of these days over here between the coconut trees or over there where it's cold & wet.
theera: Thanks for sharing your great pictures. I also have been following this thread for a few days. Personally I think you answered all the questions quite well in polite way. I was at Shanghai too but not as lucky as you to get so close. Raced in the Formula Renault support race then watched the main F1 event from the grand stand. You are one lucky fellow. Very surprised to know Thailand has a 300% import duty, which makes HK's 100% duty sounds down right reasonable ha ha... Regards, cwwhk
Thanks for appreciating the rare pictures. Good to hear that you have been following this thread for a few days. As a fellow asian, you should understand the ways that we choose to answer questions at best in a polite way. Its a shame that you couldn't get closer to the action in Shanghai. Oh, I see you raced in the Formula Renault support race, I consider myself too old to be competitive so I'm sponsoring somebody's dream instead, he's a talented local rookie in the Formula BMW race. Yes, I know very well that I'm lucky, so there's no reason to prove many things. The import duty over here between the coconut trees is 300%, hence HK's 100% import duty is extremely reasonable. Hence I guess that's why you have a larger collection of ponies than I do. Regards, Theera
Oh, excellent! We need more generous people like you willing to put your faith in talent and turn aspiring racers' dreams into reality. It's tough finding sponsorship, especially in Australia. For those that don't come from wealthy families, finding the money needed to go racing is an equally large part of a racing driver's life as the racing itself! How does someone in your position make up his mind whom he is to sponsor? It is based on talent alone, or how well they approach you and sell themselves? Regards, James.
Real or fakes, either way they are really great pictures. Wish I could get that close to the action. Mabe someday.
I really hate to sound like a jerk, but I am forced to. I think it was actually very rude to answer the question with just more bragging. I think its great that you were given lessons by RB and you have sleep overs at JT's house and have all their cell phone numbers. I will not buy the explanation that you are just a good friend of the Scuderia. The only good friends of theirs I know of are all italian and are related to someone who is part of the actual team. Last time I looked you didnt look like one of the Maranello boys. When did this friendship form? Was it from multiple car purchases? Did you save one of thier lives and they now owe you? I mean it just doenst make sense. The funny thing is, its not that I dont believe you. It is the fact that you have dodged the question. Even when you were asked by another member you just repeated and bunch of stuff and then ended it with just more personal info about you at the Scuderia. Would it be so hard to say something like " Well one day I ran into JT at a cafe and we got to talking and next thing you know it we started a friendship and he has gained me access to all of this" or "I married someone that has ties to the factory". It just would be nice to understand this friendship and relationship. There was a gentleman on here that mentioned a conversation he had with JT and he was very open about how he just met him at a party at his local dealership. He didnt say well you know I am a friend of this and that. I just think you are being very immature about answering a very simple question. By the way AWESOME PICTURES
I think it's quite obvious that it's none of your business, and none of our business. Just enjoy the pictures, and be thankful that they were posted. Theera, I hope you can post similar images from future events. Thank you.
I find the reactions of many of you very puzzling. I thought this forum was designed for us to share our involvement in the Ferrari community openly. I do not mean to pry into his business but a simple " I dont wish to speak about it" would have been much appreciated and respected. I dont understand the need for cryptic answers. If I we were at a dinner party or gathering and he was discussing his time at the Shanghai GP and I asked him " That sounds incredible, how are you so close to the team?" and he answered " Thanks for asking and I know its great to be so close to them. Did you know I have thier cell phone numbers and I get driving lessons from Rubens and go karting with Michael?" Cause that is basically what he was doing. We are engaging in conversation, but over the internet. I was just hoping that we would be more open with each other. I personaly think the pictures are great, but I am really more interested in the relationship. To me that is truely unique and interesting. For someone that is so close to the team and the factory, you could not only shed light on the racing aspect but also the road going vehicles. I would like to be able to see him as an authority but if he is so guarded about the information then forget it. There is no point to ask further questions. I apologize if I offended anyone but I just felt like we were being led on cause I wasnt the only one to ask the question and not get an answer. It just felt strange. Once again my apologies.
Theera: I keep a 360 Spider F1 in Tokyo for use when I am there. Bought it from official distributor and paid MSRP, which was cheaper than US prices at the time. Didn't feel like paying HK government too much money. If you travel overseas often, it might also be an option worth considering, given your home prices are even higher than HK. Great to hear you are sponsoring a local young talent in the Formula BMW series. I think Marchy Lee from HK has already won the BMW series and Hans Lin from Taiwan is pretty quick too. Raced with them before; they are certainly quick enough to move up to higher forms of racing. I myself am not so competitive just running mid pack, but it's great fun. How did your driver do? Asian motorsports need more people like you to promote young talent. Oh, by the way my favourite picture is the view from top at rear of car in your other tread. Very unique angle never seen one like that before. Fabulous! Regards, cwwhk
