In mid-September 2023, the 4th international Ferrarista meeting took place in Auvergne with nearly 80 Ferraris coming from France, Belgium and Switzerland, but also members from Japan and New Zealand! At the beginning of March, in just one weekend, all available places had been taken! Madness.
For what ? Because it's rare. Beyond all the activities offered, to be shared between enthusiasts, it is the incredible atmosphere which attracts, with this impression of being at home, among one's own, forgetting all your daily problems, for a few days of happiness outside time.
Okay, but concretely, what was this 4th Ferrarista meeting? Well here are my top 5 of the best moments I experienced there. It will be different for everyone, and I thank you for sharing yours in comments, as the fabulous moments were numerous and varied.
1. Enjoying the Ferrari ride with the other members
The Saturday morning ride on the small Auvergne roads got off to a bad start, from my point of view: it was raining. GOOD. Since a long time. The landscape was gray and the road was slippery. My Ferrari Challenge Stradale, in the past, with its Pirelli tires, did not like these conditions. She had several times given me nice, unexpected slides, without particularly riding hard. Extreme vigilance is required in these conditions! Not very fun...
However, now equipped with Michelin tires, over the kilometers, I gained confidence on these wet roads to the point where I could really enjoy them. And on these small roads, the Ferrari Challenge Stradale is pure joy! Well planted on its supports, with the sound of a racing car invading the cabin, well harnessed in the harnesses, with someone in front (the pilot fish) who sends it well, these are moments that make you adore your Ferrari! A real kick that goes bananas!
A Ferrarista meeting is also that. Being able to drive in excellent conditions, on selected, magnificent roads, where you would probably never have gone alone, with lots of other Ferraris around, these are moments when you take full advantage of your Ferrari, of what it was designed to do. been designed. You get the most out of your purchase. With small rolling groups adapted to your driving style.
2. Drive the extraordinary Ferrari F355 Challenge (or the Ferrari of your dreams)
My first Ferrari was a Ferrari F355. It was the Ferrari of my dreams. One of the most beautiful Ferraris ever produced, in my point of view, with a magnificent Formula 1 sound of the time, and the legendary metal grille for shifting gears. Several times I had looked at the Ferrari F355 Challenge but they seemed too radical for my use. @kani56-Stradale56 came to the Ferrarista meeting with his newly acquired Ferrari F355 Challenge, fresh from a complete restoration by model specialists. Needless to say, it is magnificent and interested me a lot!
What was my surprise when @kani56-Stradale56 came to see me to ask me to do him “a favor”, without obligation to say yes. “The F355 Challenge is out of gas, I have to run the other Ferrari, would you mind going and filling it up?” What!? It's the kind of offer you can't refuse. We must seize the opportunity.
It's a real racing car. You have to be flexible to successfully fit into the passenger compartment. All the controls are harder than in a normal Ferrari F355. But you find your bearings relatively quickly, when you are used to the F355 like me. As soon as it is hot, on the other hand, it is very different. Pure happiness. A real kart. It's very light, comparatively, the sound invades the cabin even more, because of the stripping and the freer exhaust. Fabulous ! And therefore a great moment which will also remain engraved in my memory. Something to be experienced, from my point of view, by every Ferrari enthusiast. Because Ferrari is racing, it’s genes.
This is also what a Ferrarista meeting is: the opportunity to discover and ride in rare Ferraris, which perhaps you are considering acquiring in the future. And being able to get a real experience with the car can change everything, one way or the other. But at least you experience great moments sharing your passion.
3. Drive your Ferrari on the legendary Mas du Clos circuit
The Mas du Clos circuit is extraordinary. Everyone (in our Ferrari world) has in mind the fabulous test of the Ferrari F40 LM by Jacques Laffite, broadcast in Turbo on M6. It is above all the location of Pierre Bardinon’s incredible Ferrari collection. A very symbolic place for any Ferrarista. The reopening of this legendary circuit to the public could therefore not be missed, to enjoy it as soon as possible. From our next Ferrarista meeting!
I was not disappointed, on the contrary, by the difference between the perception of this circuit on video and actually driving on it. It is really very hilly and it is a great pleasure to go around it with your Ferrari. It also seemed wider to me, and therefore less “dangerous” (narrow and without clearance) than in the video. The parade of nearly 80 Ferraris on it was another magical moment, which puts stars in your eyes.
That's what a Ferrarista meeting is all about: legendary places, steeped in history, potentially linked to Ferrari and a unique opportunity to run your Ferrari on the circuit, in safe conditions. The opportunity to take full advantage of what a Ferrari is, something you cannot fully achieve, serenely, on the open road. With sessions for each level, and for ladies, so that absolutely everyone takes the opportunity to fully drive their Ferrari, pushing all gears up to 8-9,000 revs, in optimal conditions! Often for the first time, whether behind the wheel and/or on the track.
4. Share your passion with enthusiastic young fans
Another huge reason for satisfaction during this Ferrarista meeting: the enthusiastic feedback from the young local generation. Not only does such a meeting allow you to meet and share with other passionate owners, in tune with you, but we also had several young people, including women, who tried to experience the event as closely as possible. Young people who are used to following local events, who take photos, share them and were present from the first evening, even before the meeting started the next day!
It's always a pleasure to share as much as we can with other enthusiasts (see the cars, take photos, get in them, even take a ride as a passenger) and a pleasure to see that the next generation is assured! No, young people are not losing interest in our cars. No, the future will not only be electric. And any Ferrari enthusiast can experience great moments of passion today (and tomorrow).
5. And... chat during a wonderful aperitif in the garden
Finally, if I have to choose only five, I would also include, personally, among these top moments, the aperitif organized on Friday evening in the hotel garden. A large garden with trees, with tables and chairs everywhere, to sit and chat. Encourage meetings. The weather was nice and there was a particularly pleasant atmosphere, with the dozens of Ferraris parked all around, the low light of the setting sun, the mildness of the Indian summer, the jazz group playing nicely, the bar serving impeccable, the smiles of all participants, aware of the chance to participate in such a unique and promising event, because it was then just getting started...
Whoa! It was very difficult to choose only 5, and at the same time, the exercise allows you to paint a synthetic picture of the 4th Ferrarista meeting. To engrave very good memories here, for those who were lucky enough to participate. To describe a little more, without too much length, what to expect, if you wish to participate in the next one.
I could also have told you about my intervention on the subject of Ferrarista.club, allowing me to give perspective to the members, the very good restaurants discovered, all the thumbs up and the positive feedback along the roads, the Modena Sport dealership from Toulouse, extraordinary partner, which allowed members to test the Ferrari Roma and 296 GTS, the Ferrari F40 and 458 Challenge present for baptisms on the circuit, and above all the extraordinary organization set up by @Calif38, califette, @chtisuisse, @grhum and all the members who helped as pilot fish (leader of a driving group), grid girls, photographer or videographer, instructor driver on the circuit. A colossal job. A big THANK YOU to them!
A big THANK YOU also @Ferruccio for his superb photos illustrating this article.
This top 5 only reflects my personal choices. If you were lucky enough to be able to participate, what were your top moments from this meeting, from your point of view, with a little hindsight? What was great and what would you like to relive at the next Ferrarista meeting? What could we improve?
If you weren't able to participate, what did you find great in one of your previous outings that we could draw inspiration from?
If you liked this article, you may also like:
- 70 Ferrari at the Ferrarista meeting in Champagne
- Cheki's test of the Ferrari 296 GTB with Esperienza Ferrari
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