Ferrari OF DEnver track day at PPIR

Wow, that looked like quite a bit of fun. The obligatory "Ferrari lineup" picture never gets old.

 

I would like to thank Ferrari of Denver and Quick Chick Racing for putting together such a great weekend!

The turnout for the Ferrari of Denver Customer Appreciation Day on Saturday was tremendous. I think they had around 30 Ferraris. I know that Randy Smith and Leslie Howard worked very hard to coordinate this event. It was very professional.

Special thanks go out to Bill Stewart and the entire staff for bringing so many interesting cars down for us all to drive. The group had Jimmy and Jim taking care of tech inspection and catering to any mechanical needs.

The whole day was well done you should all be very proud and I hope that you make this a yearly tradition.

It was fun to hear Phyllis scream and laugh when I gave her a ride in the F40.

Derek had his new Blue R32 flying – and he was smiling a lot. Sage,,, you are so funny! You make me laugh so much – there are definitely more F40 rides in your future.

The first photo is a look in the eyes of Bill – he looks a bit frightened as we were about to leave the pits for his ride. We did have some nice “dicing” with Roland.

Hats off to you too, Leslie. Thank you for scheduling Sunday and allowing us to run for and extra day. You did another nice job of coordinating all of our track needs – you and Charles are the best.

This was a great way to close out 2004. Over the winter I will paint the F40 and refresh its interior – but don’t worry I will be back to the track in ’05… Just with a lot more “clear bra” on the car!

Johnny

 

Roland:

Thank you so much for your help this weekend. I want everyone to know how much you did for me to make my weekend great. You arrange to have my car prepped, cleaned and delivered to the track while I am gallivanting around in Hawaii – all so it will be ready to drive when I fly back into town.

Then, after realizing that I had driven the tires down to the cords on Saturday, you take the wheels and tires off your own car and loan them to me – in essence giving up your entire chance to drive on Sunday. What can I possibly say?

You are the most unselfish person that I have ever met and I cannot begin to thank you enough for all of the kind things you do for me and everyone else. I cannot wait until we have a chance to tackle a new track in St. Louis this weekend.

You are truly one in a million and thank you again for everything.

Johnny

 

Roland it was nice to hear from you today!

Thanks for keeping in touch and Nice Photos!

Let me know where you will be going next, I was going to go to Kodiak, Alaska tomorrow but will postpone it towards the end of the month.

I was told there is no room for a cook on the crab fishing boats anymore and my mother got on my case and said with my health I was taking a big risk and the that the stress will kill me if the 35-foot snow capped waves didn't.

Oh Well!

You are so active, more than anyone I know half your age.

God Bless You! You really inspire me and many others I'm sure!

All the best to you.

Brigitte

 

Yes, it certainly was a ton of fun! I hope I didn't upset Mr. Stewart as I spent alot more time out on the track in my car then I did in the dealership's cars
Johnny gave me the drive of my life! Great things that guy can do in his F40...I think the star of the show was the Lotus Elise, that car can make just about anyone look like a pro. Hats off to Randy for all of his hard work and dedication to seeing to that this weekend was enjoyed by all and to Leslie...thanks for the helmets, sorry I couldn't stick around for the margs!

 

The Elise is my favorite car.
EVER!

 

Now this is what I am talking about !!!
This is a GREAT racing community !!

The passion for the sport is here (yes, I'm corny) I applaud you all !!

Roland, people like YOU are what drives this sport. Without people like you, Le Mans would never happen and Indy would be silent in May.

I've seen plenty of DRIVERS that would never acknowledge what you had done for them this past weekend. Yours did. Good Job !

 

Just wanted to thank everyone for a great time last weekend. This was, by far, the best open track day I've been to. Great people, great cars and a fun track. Only scary moment was having the yellow 512 spin in front of me and thinking what a tragedy it would be to hit such a gorgeous car.

Thanks again!
Mark Bradley (Blue/White MINI)

 

Mark...loved your Mini, I just couldn't hang with it in the infield. What all have you done to your car?

 

Thanks for the complement. Yeah, you probably noticed it's not stock!
Engine: CAI, pulley, chip, plugs (still need exhaust
Suspension: LEDA 24 way adjustable coilovers, camber plates, adjustable end links and trailing arms, AVON TechR tires, SSR wheels
Brakes: Stoptech BBK, stainless lines
Interior: roll bar, laptimer, SPA oil pressure/oil temp gauge, autometer boost gauge

Derek, which car was your's?

 

I brought out my Blue R32 for the first time since buying it in August. Just wait until next season...it won't be stripped down for racing quite as much as yours is but there's plenty of potential in the car...and TONS of untapped potential in me as a driver

 

I like both of these cars but I was wondering just how they compare and what else ther is in that class? There is a SVT focus for sale here and I was wondering if you had any insight on those or how about the wrx? I really like the WRX but I have only test driven one once. How do you like your cars and are they daily drivers?

thanks
Matt

 

While searching for a new car I had a very lengthy and varied list of cars that interested me (in no particular order) : Subaru WRX STi, Mitsubishi Evo, VW R32, Dodge Magnum, Chrysler 300C, Saab 9-3, Saab 9-3 wagon (Saabaru), Volvo S40 and the Acura TL A-Spec...I just couldn't make up my mind which way to go. I didn't test drive all of the cars mentioned but when I did drive the VW it just felt perfect for me. Everyone has their opinion but this car does everything well, no it doesn't excelerate with as much force as an STi nor does it handle as well as the Evo but the overall package is much better IMO. The others...well I just decided I'm not old enough yet to enjoy those pseudo-luxury cars

 

BTW...take a good hard look at an SVT Focus. You could probably still find a new one on a dealer's lot and they are usually drastically dicounted which is a shame becuase they are one of the best handling fwd platforms ever made, slap a Jackson supercharger on there and go play

 

Gotta agree with Colorado Mark about the yellow 512 a spinnin'. Mark was passing below me coming onto the straight when the 512 did a giant spin in front of both of us. Being at the limit of adhesion myself, when I let up, I thought I would spin too. The 512 was going up the banking, Mark was below me. A little tense for a moment, but I kept control and the 512 stopped with enough room for me above and Mark below.

In additon to my 328, I have an STI which is a very impressive package and keeps up with all the big boys on track day. The only weakness, oddly enough, is the big Brembos which stop great when new but really don't like the heat of a track day. To be a track car, STI's need brake upgrades.

Gotta agree with Derek about the Elise. I'm sure glad Bill Orth talked me into ordering one 10/03. I got a couple of track laps in and all I can say is the car is unfair the way it turns.

DAve