Cavallino Classic Modena - never again!

I have been to the last 5 editions on Cavallino Classic Middle East as a normal visitor and seeing what cars are the judges considering as perfect and original I thought, that my 512TR can definitely get a Platinum award if judged on this type of event.

So this year I decided to apply and enter my car in the Cavallino Classic Modena, that will be held in the middle of May this year. I have filled the form in their website on the beginning of January and started to wait for their reply. A month later I still haven’t got a reply from them so decided to email them. They replied, that they are still “considering” and I will have an answer at the end of February.

Since I live in Bulgaria and I will need to organize the transportation of the car from Bulgaria to Italy, I needed at least an answer from them if my car is “qualified” or not to start making any plans. And since they haven’t replied again at the end of February, as they promised, I emailed them again at the beginning of March. This time they finally notified me, that my car is accepted and can be a part of the Cavallino Classic Modena 2025.

Great, so I made a plan, that I will transport the car with a truck there, so it can be perfectly clean and after the event I planned a trip across Italy, France and Germany for the following 3 weeks.

So the next day after they sent me the confirmation a person from their customer service called me and asked me how would I like to proceed with my payment. I asked – “what payment”? And he explained, that I will need to buy a “VIP experience package” for 6400 Euro. And since I was going to go with my wife, that makes a little under 13 000 Euro for the “privilege” to participate on the event.

Before filling the form in their website for entering my car, I of course have read all the information about the event there. It says, that there is no registration fee whatsoever and I only need to buy a ticket for the show. That’s it. A VIP package is available only if one wants it. In fact, it is not only for people, that display their cars, a VIP package can be bought by anyone.

So I asked this gentleman if buying a VIP package is mandatory for me to enter the event with my car. He replied, that probably it is not mandatory, but it is highly “advisable” to buy it. He explained, that it will include a great hotel, a dinner with a menu from Massimo Bottura and wine pairing. And since I don’t care about any of that and I am always staying in Maranello when I am in this area anyway, I told him, that I am simply not interested about getting a VIP package for me and my wife and spending 13 000 Euro and I asked him again: “Can I enter my car if I don’t buy a VIP package or not”? And he replied: “I will need to ask”.

So 2 days go by, nothing happens and I decided to send an email again, so I can get an answer of my question and I can know if I will go to the event or not and I got the following reply:

“Thank you for your email and for your time over the phone yesterday, it was a pleasure talking to you. Please note that the packages including hospitality are designed to offer an unforgettable time at Cavallino Classic Modena 2025, bringing together passionate collectors like yourself in the exclusive setting of Casa Maria Luigia. More than just accommodation, staying at Casa Maria Luigia ensures a seamless, all-encompassing immersion into the event’s unique atmosphere, allowing you to enjoy premium access, exquisite dining, and special moments that truly elevate the event beyond just the concours itself.
While the purchase of the complete Hospitality Package is not strictly mandatory for your car to be part of the concours, we highly recommend it to fully enjoy the experience at Cavallino Classic Modena 2025.

Most of our participants opt for this package because it ensures seamless access to all the key moments, top-tier service, and a real immersion in the spirit of the event. As a token of our appreciation for bringing your car to the event, we would be delighted to extend an exclusive 10% discount on the package.

Should you require any further information or assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us.
We remain at your complete disposal and look forward to welcoming you for an unforgettable experience.”

Then I have sent another email to them, stating that I appreciate their offer, but I am not interested and I asked them to simply reply if I can enter my car without the need to buy anything else, but a normal visitor ticket. And then they replied with this:

“We truly appreciate your enthusiasm and are certain that your car would be a valuable addition to this year’s concours.

We completely understand your travel plans and your preference to arrange your own accommodation. While the packages including hospitality are designed to offer an unforgettable time at Cavallino Classic Modena 2025, we would be happy to make an exception and offer you the Event-Only Package at €4,500 per person, which includes:

- Two dinners and one lunch with the three Michelin stars Chef Massimo Bottura with wine pairing;

- Access to the Concours on Saturday;
- Access to the Saturday Parade;
- Access to the Sunday Tour through the Emilians hills above Maranello, culminating with a private lunch at Casa Canossa by the Michelin-starred Chef Andrea Incerti Vezzani (this tour would be a perfect addition to the wonderful trip that you are planning!);

- All the activities and many special moments created only for you.

This way, you can fully enjoy the experience while having the flexibility to stay at your preferred hotel. Please let us know if you would like to proceed with this arrangement, and we will be happy to assist you with the booking process.”

Then obviously I got a little frustrated and sent another email, by exactly asking: “Can I come without buying a VIP package? Yes or no?”. And the next day that guy called me again and started to explain to me how much of a wonderful experience it will be if I go to everything, that the VIP package includes. So I asked him (guess what): “Is buying a VIP package mandatory for me to enter my car or not?”. On which he replied: “Well no, it is not mandatory”. Then I asked him: “Can I come with my wife and enter my car without buying any kind of special package then?”. On which he replied: “Well no, you can not”.

And that was the end of our pointless conversation.

So what can I say… I was excided to to enter my car to Cavallino, I have never been to any "non official" Ferrari event and I also have never entered my car to any kind of judging event and I thought it will be interesting.

But I never thought, that I will get this kind of behavior, which is almost like a blackmail. So I will spend money for preparing the car and for transporting it 1500 kilometers to enter it for free there, so they can sell tickets to people to come and see it and on top of that I will need to pay 13 000 Euro to “thank” them for that “opportunity”. What an absurd nonsense.

So yeah, that’s my experience with Cavallino Classic Modena, which if I can rate with a rating from 1 to 10 stars, I will definitely put ZERO.

 

It is absolutely as I explain, I have no reason to do otherwise whatsoever.

It is their event, they can do whatever they want. But they should clearly point out the conditions in their website. And if I asked them the first time, they should have provided a clear answer, instead of trying to make a fool out of me. If this was the case, I would have simply opted to not apply in the first place and there would have not be any problems. Yes, it would still be absurd to ask that sum of money for what they offer, but at least it would have been clear enough. And if you want to go - you pay, if not - you don't apply.

But to tell me that it is not mandatory several times (including in the first email they have sent me and that I have already quoted) and then tell me, that I can not enter if I don't buy a VIP package is just stupidly absurd. Exactly like a cheap blackmail - I ask them a simple question and they don't answer directly, but instead they repeatedly try to convince me how wonderful experience it will be if I buy the VIP package.

And to answer your second post - yes, they can opt not to accept my car and that is absolutely fine - their event - their choice. However, they HAVE accepted it, but obviously they have not accepted me for other reasons

 

Exactly, this is what I saw even before applying.

 

Yes, for sure, as I said - they have accepted my car for the event. And I dare to say, that its condition is absolutely suitable for this type of event, so that's why I applied.

 

Didn't seem like he did at all