to pose or drive

I agree with that, a Ferrari not at the track is like not letting a little child go out and play with the other neighborhood children.

 

ever think that drivers might not be confortable at speed on a track where if a crash occurs, insurance does not pay? I autocrossed the crap out of my rx8 and never took but 3 or 4 slow laps in the ferrari.

 

In truth, I don't take my 328 to a track for 2 reasons:

1) I'm not a very good hi-performance driver, with no experience outside of some autoX

2) I can't afford to replace the thing if I smash it.

3) It's really more of a commuter car/daily driver for me.

A Miata, Fbody, Porsche 944 would be a better car for me for track days.

 

I just have ZERO interest in tracking. I like driving it in everyday use or just going for a spin. Just this morning I took the long way to work and really enjoyed the drive with no traffic, great way to get to work.
Poser Al

 

I applaud your willingness to get out there with your car. But, I'm not sure I agree with your statement "basically Ferraris are pure sports cars." Perhaps that's true in the case of the 3 series cars, but the 12 cyl. cars are now, more than ever, big, luxurious GT cars. WHile they are certainly more suitable than, say, an ubersedan, they are not really 'track' cars, and are not 'pure sportscars' in the same sense that the many earlier 12 cyl. cars were.

 

Taking a spill in a Ferrari can be quite costly. While I would love to track mine whenever I get one, I don't know that I will be pushing the limits. Driving or owning a Ferrari is not just about pure speed. BEing in the car is an event all in itself that few people outside this board can really understand. Explaining the hair raising thrill of the scream of a Ferrari to a "non-car" person is damn near impossible to do.

 

Perhaps another reason is that you can't count very well?

 

Now that is funny. Reminds me of a tee shirt that I recently saw:

"There are 3 kinds of people when it comes to math

Those that understand it and those that don't"

 

"To each, his own," the old lady said as she kissed the cow.

Favorite old saying of my grandmother. I'm one of those guys that absolutely loves the track, autocross, slalom, performance driving events. I want to get out there and drive the heck out of my cars. But not everyone enjoys that. Some folks don't feel comfortable at track speeds. They enjoy getting out in a sports car on a sunny Sunday and taking a spirited ride down country roads, or cruise on the highway. Others love detailing their cars, perfecting them, and showing them at concours meets. Folks come in all different shapes and sizes, likes and dislikes. I, for one, make no value judgments about other people's hobbies. Do with your car what makes YOU happy. That's what I try to do.

So, "to each, his own," I say, as I kiss my carburetors.

 

Why does DRIVING a car have to mean tracking it? I do DRIVE my car though not on a track. I know the difference between DRIVING a car and cruising, I've raced karts and tracked a personal car ('90 M3). You can definitely extract the sport of a car without being on a track.

G

 

Ever since I was a lil' Track Day fence hanger, it was readily apparent that..

"If you can't afford to wreck it, you shouldn't be out there trackin' it!"

And that just really applies to the equity value of the car. Then, as you'll note in many threads here, the proper safety preparation and equipment required to participate in Track Events could easily DOUBLE the base expenditure of an older 3X8 series car.

The Art Car Parade is a LOT less stressful, they turn a 'blind eye' to the onboard ice chest!

Always burn up a clutch, though....."Burn outs! We want to see burn outs!" LOL!

 

I agree with TIllman, when I get a Ferrari I'm not going to drive it on the track for those reasons. At least that's what I think now. If I do get better at driving, maybe take a class, then I may.

 

"BEing in the car is an event all in itself that few people outside this board can really understand. Explaining the hair raising thrill of the scream of a Ferrari to a "non-car" person is damn near impossible to do"

It really is also a thrill driving the neighborhood and NOT going at breakneck speed.

When you pull into the local 7-11 and the high school kids literally jump up and down...then when you take the time to talk to them about the car...it makes it all worthwhile.

 

soooooo important not to come across like an assh*le.
On a recent Friday evening I came across a custom El Camino parked next to the gas pumps at a local convenience store. I was walking into the store when the driver came out and I commented: "Hey man, nice El Camino, early 60s?" He passed me and without even looking at me says, "59 actually" and keeps on walking to his car. WHAT A FRIGGIN' ASSH*LE!

 

Rowdy,

Most aspects of car ownership are at least as irrational as NOT driving a Ferrari on a track.
This is rather the rule than the exception.

- Buying Off-roaders in urban areas
- Buying classic, unreliable cars
- Buying cars with ridiculous petrol consumption
- Mounting crappy tuning accessories on Nissans, Toyotas, etc.
- Buying a small car for wife + kids + shopping stuff and the roomy one for commuting daddy
- ....

You shouldn't be concerned...

 

Buy the fastest clothes you can, and talk skiing like a man, but dont let anyone catch you on the slopes.

 

Fully understand about not tracking the car.

NOTE: never put a car on the track you would not be willing to push off a high cliff and walk away without any deep remorse.

But i will note yes, some guys virtually never drive their Ferrari cars. A paltry 200 miles a month is lame UNLESS we are talking the few winter months of New England. Driving months = 600+ miles at least (with about 100 being at the track).

 

If I were to get involved in track driving, I would do it in a cheap car that I wouldn't mind crashing. (Used Miata!) I would not abuse my baby. Nevermind the fact that I can't afford to repair a Ferrari that has been crashed on the track, it would kill me to see my 308 damaged. Call me a wuss, but I'm perfectly happy just driving it carefully on the street with the occasional fast on ramp.

Not everyone believes that tracking a car is the only way to enjoy it, and even those who do may not have deep enough pockets to risk it in an expensive car. Owning a Ferrari does not mean you are rich. In fact for many of us, it prevents it!!

Birdman

 

It is important to know how to pose with your Ferrari. I like to lean on the rear quarter panel and tilt my head about 30 degrees off vertical (as if I am pondering the meaning of life). People are really impressed when I do this in the town square.
BT

 

What he said.

I guess I appreciate the "rolling artwork" aspect, and more people can see you rolling at street speeds than on the track.

 

Birdman, did Verell show you my old front Euro aero yet? If that thing could talk....

 

Did you then proceed to call him an unorganized, grabastic piece of amphibian ****?

 

LoL

 

My biggest angst is others telling ME how to enjoy MY cars. My "lover not a fighter" comment means I am into the concours circuit with my Ferrari and use it for pleasure trips and spirited drives on the weekends. This use, rather than tracking the car, does not mean the car is not loved and enjoyed - heck - I also derive LOTS of pleasure just looking at 'Mr. Maranello' in my garage. The source of enjoyment of any possession is as different as the cars we own, and to each his (or her) own. Enough with the 'these cars are made to be (fill in the blank)". They are made to be enjoyed, period.