Chris Harris gives both barrels
Ferrari fan?? Read this........
Yes Ferrari really have lost what made them, passion for automotive Engineering excellence, I am sure that the passion remains but whereas cost was not part of the Enzo equation cost is now the equation. Ferrari are also without the likes of Ross Braun, Jean Todt and of course love him or loath him Michael Schumacher, and a generation of engineers has changed since the days of the Dino and 512`s replaced by equally competent engineers but today's also have bean counting in their tool box.
Through a friend I have been fortunate to drive and be driven in a number of Ferrari on the track and road indeed my first experience of Ferrari (as a passenger) was on the Silverstone GP circuit in an F40 the last truly great old school car closely followed by a full blown 308 IMSA racer.
My first experience of driving a Ferrari was a 355 Challenge car at Rockingham very fast but oh so easy to drive and this the track version of the car that was to set the standard for the company, it was a car for the masses (well relative masses bankers and their ilk) but it has led the way that the company has moved exquisite cars but in relative terms affordable by many more but drawing on the past glories and success in F1
I had the good fortune to drive one of the old school Ferrari a 512 BBLM an absolute beast of a car but oh so glorious the noise when it came up on cam was totally mind blowing but a very heavy car to drive compared to the 360 which is very light to control but a little twitchy the thing that makes this car terrific is the paddle shift up-shifts at full throttle have such a grin factor, but my favourite all rounder is the 456 what a gem tremendous presence and pace to match.
In the end Ferrari are no different to other Icons Brazil are still the best national football team in the world, The All Blacks the best Rugby team and Wycombe Wanderers will always be the team I most wanted to play for
Oh well time for bed only a few more sleeps till Silverstone hope their are some Ferrari owners to bait
Through a friend I have been fortunate to drive and be driven in a number of Ferrari on the track and road indeed my first experience of Ferrari (as a passenger) was on the Silverstone GP circuit in an F40 the last truly great old school car closely followed by a full blown 308 IMSA racer.
My first experience of driving a Ferrari was a 355 Challenge car at Rockingham very fast but oh so easy to drive and this the track version of the car that was to set the standard for the company, it was a car for the masses (well relative masses bankers and their ilk) but it has led the way that the company has moved exquisite cars but in relative terms affordable by many more but drawing on the past glories and success in F1
I had the good fortune to drive one of the old school Ferrari a 512 BBLM an absolute beast of a car but oh so glorious the noise when it came up on cam was totally mind blowing but a very heavy car to drive compared to the 360 which is very light to control but a little twitchy the thing that makes this car terrific is the paddle shift up-shifts at full throttle have such a grin factor, but my favourite all rounder is the 456 what a gem tremendous presence and pace to match.
In the end Ferrari are no different to other Icons Brazil are still the best national football team in the world, The All Blacks the best Rugby team and Wycombe Wanderers will always be the team I most wanted to play for
Oh well time for bed only a few more sleeps till Silverstone hope their are some Ferrari owners to bait
I am sure others have their views too Stuart but I would love to own one, I guess even a Mondial is a bit special but a hell of a risk buying a cheap one, Russ and I had a 944 Porsche and it kept us poor very poor.stuart wrote:Interesting insight that Harry. I've been in a 355 and been on track with all sorts over the years and I would dearly love to own one at some point.
Oh by the way.......when I used to play for Enfield and Chelmsford, Wycombe were nothing special at all
Perhaps owning one is just something to keep in the cupboard and bring out in the pub or forum, one thing is for sure they make you feel a bit special.
In my playing days a bloody long time ago (Hayes, Amersham Town, Chesham Utd) Wycombe were the dogs dangly bits (in my opinion) just another Icon