Thank You FOG!!!

One sunny San Francisco afternoon...a few months ago: 2011:

TAFORZA: Have you heard of FOG -- Ferrari Owner's Group?

I: No -- what is it about?

TAFORZA: FOG organizes drives and events; and, they are a great group of people who just love to drive their Ferraris. They also do fundraising events.

I: You know [Tony]...I've done drives with several groups in the past; and, now, I just like going solo and enjoying my alone time with Madellena.

TAFORZA: Trust me -- just go on one FOG drive and give them a chance -- I promise you will have lots of fun, and you will really like these guys -- they have a drive coming up; they will be heading up to the wine country. Sign up for it.

I: Ahh...okay, but I don't know anyone there.

TAFORZA: You will once you meet them -- just go.

I: Ok.

11-June-2011: I am so glad I went; and, I just wanted to create this thread to thank all of the FOG pilotis I met on BR Cohn Wine Drive, 11-June-2011; and, I especially want to thank Vraiment, 4RE866, Butcher, DA1235, EP328, Nizam, and Moogle for making sure I had a great time at the event and drive.

All of you were so kind and gracious to me. You made me feel welcome, and I had a splendid time driving with you, enjoying great food, cars, wines, and conversations. I love that all of you are so supportive of each other and make a point of including everyone on the drive in all aspects of the event.

One of the nicest things I witnessed was 4RE866 noticing two of his teammates sitting alone while we were in our group talking and laughing. He immediately asked all of us to make room, as he invited the two teammates to join us. This action of consideration is exactly the stuff I value in a person and a group; and, this is the caliber of people of which I like to associate.

Vraiment made sure all had enough wine and food; and DA1235 gave a vineyard worker a drive in his F430 Spyder after noticing the vineyard worker, who spoke little English, ooggling over DA1235's steed.

Butcher and Moogle introduced me to more drivers and told me all the stuff that makes FOG so great.

Once I get my shoot schedule locked down, I hope to be able to participate in the FOG Rally Drive to LA.

So, once again, I thank you for the splendid time and the warm welcome; and, I look forward to learning more about each of you during our future drives.

Check 6.

/s/ Alfonso Faustino

 

ASFJr,
It was great driving with you and hanging out with you as well. Sorry, I had to cut out early on the drive the other day, but I promised my kids I would take them to the park, so I was under a little bit of time pressure. We have many great long days of sun coming up, so try and keep your calendar open for more drives. You have one beautiful F430 spider, with the mythical 6-speed manual, even. Love to have you bring out the 328 on the next one. We are all glad you enjoyed hanging out and would be honored to have you join us in the Rally, if your schedule permits.

 

Nice to have met you also Alfonso. Your stories were very entertaining. Like Butcher I wish I could have stayed longer for FOG on the Square! P.S. What was the Italian motorcycle manufacturer on your jacket?

 

Alfonso, you are an absolute gentlemen. It was really great talking with you and spending time with you yesterday and over the weekend. We are all very fortunate to have you join the group. It is going to be a fun ride for many more years to come!

 

AF!

How fortunate we are to have had Saturday, and then Monday! Thanks for all the kind words. It was great to have you join us on such an ideal day. You've got the calendar now, so we'll be looking for you on the next run!

Yes, and the square ... it just seems that those post-run gatherings can be very unexpectedly rich!

 

AF, in all our car travels, we have never met another group that equals the wonderful people of FOG for road rallies (you need to meet the SoCal Alfa club for track events). After years on the farm, I'm sunrise averse, but the temptations of FOG still manage to drag me out of bed at an ungodly hour now and then. They are truly that good!

I am glad you've found them.

 

Come on V,
Dont try to steal him away already...HIs just getting his feet warm.

 

Alfonso it was a pleasure to meet you and I am very happy that you enjoyed the event.

The cars brought us together, but the great people keep us together.

 

Literally. They're surgeons.

 

Thanks, Butcher. I'd love to hear your 355 again!

Hi, JD359. The Italian Motor bike is Moto Guzi. I enjoyed hanging with you and learning about you!

Thanks 4RE886 for showing me Ross! I need to work on my tennis game to keep up with your groundies and 120 MPH serves!

Yes, Vraiment -- great gatherings are the results of great people!

Hi, VerdeGrrl. It was great seeing you after so much time! I'm glad to have seen you again. I will look at the SoCal group when I get down there. Thanks!

Moogle, I agree with you 100%. we still need to exchange info, so we can hook up in NYC!

 

AF great to see you posting again buddy!

 

I REALLY miss this group of people. And I am willing to give up the good sushi to come back. :-(

 

Obviously incomparable to the Tsukiji market, but have you ever been to Sushi Ran in Sausalito?
It's probably the only decent place in the area. Japantown in SF is a joke! It's all owned by Chinese people eh? haha

Hey, we miss you, come back soon!

 

Tom, you are up early!!

No i have not been to Sushi Ran, are they open in the morning so we can stop by after the FOG drive? Tsukiji restaurants are open from around 3-4am.

Your avatar is cool, didn't immediately react to where it came from the first few seconds looking at it.

 

Went to website, says I need a log in from an existing member....

 

Whoops, can't PM you.

Send a note to [email protected]

 

+1

It was an absolute joy meeting you last weekend, Alfonso. It's people like you that make FOG so great! I look forward to our next drive.

 

ItzKirb -- great to connect with you again. I hope to hook up with you for lunch and see you on a FOG drive and event, soon.

Check 6!

/s/ Alfonso Faustino

 

A,

what does check 6 mean?

k

 

Watch your back? A term used by fighter pilots. Bec the 6 o'clock position is behind them and is the most vulnerable spot. But not sure if this is what A means. I was curious also.

 

Maestro8,

Are you the piloti of the beautiful black Mondial? I enjoyed being on your 6, but I lost your line due to my poor driving skills, and I lost you. I enjoyed meeting you -- you are a splendid piloti! I look forward to seeing you again.

Kouroshoo7,

Ha! Leave it to 4RE886 to get the answer! He is absolutely correct.

My father was retired US Navy, and he exposed me to US Navy fighter jets and aircraft carriers. I spent a lot of time on CVN-65 watching the VF-213 Tomcats (F-14) do flight ops in the summers when I was in high school and college.

Like former President Reagan, the Tomcat is my favorite fighter jet. The fighter jocks use to tell me, "Check 6 Faustino!" it was their way of saying "good-bye" to me; of course, whenever they do a sortie or in a dog-fight, "Check 6" has its ACM (air combat maneuvers) logistical meaning.

When I use to do drives, I would call my drives Milk Runs. I will let 4RE886 define a Milk Run.

Check 6!

/s/ Alfonso Faustino

 

Hmmm "milk run"...a drive I am sure J would not be interested in.

 

I'm so lucky to have found them, Hiros! I love great sushi; and, I know an awesome ramen house in SF. In fact, my sister and her friend is meeting me at the ramen house tomorrow evening, 29-June-2011.

Check 6!

/s/ Alfonso Faustino

 

It depends -- it also applies driving of your and J's skill set.

 

That's me. I don't think it was your skills, it was likely a line of cyclists or runners that separated us. I bet you'll win the next dogfight!