Released From The Stables
The Prancing Horse is one of the most illustrious marques known the world over, instilling in many children an enduring hope of one day experiencing, first-hand, the ardour they exude. I recall my childhood bedroom wall plastered with posters and splashes of red and of course the enjoyment that Sunday afternoons offered, appreciating the zenith of Ferrari's Formula 1 dominance. There was an exceptional aspect about the fiery Italian marque which distinguished them from any other adversary. This was something that I could not fathom at that age. Being of proud Italian descent, I naturally shared a strong affinity towards the products and lifestyle that the culture emanates and after my first attendance at an officially sanctioned Ferrari track day, at the supple age of 10, I began to understand the intense devotion and affection towards the crafted masterpieces of Maranello. This set a high benchmark for future automotive events and it was the day I officially became a tifosi, one of the steadfast supporters of the brand, both on and off track. From then onward, articles, books and news regarding the scarlet marque continuously caught my eye, in what otherwise seemed like a rather mundane world of cars. You can therefore understand my elation after being invited to the 2019 Southern Equitorial Ferrari Automobile Club (SEFAC) track day. Almost 15 years after my first euphoric adventure with these cars, I was able to relive that childhood experience and excitement once again.
There are few other entrepreneurs that can be placed in the same category as Enzo Ferrari. His unconventional attitude throughout his career made him highly respectable, while his hands-on approach towards the Scuderia was crucial for their continual success. After all, not many automakers consider their creations to be children of their own- a trait that seems non-existent in the bureaucratic business world of today. The initial production of road going Ferrari’s were ordered at the reluctance of Enzo, who required a stimulus to finance his successful, though costly, racing habits. It comes as no surprise that Ferrari himself despised the select few who purchased his cars as an ornamental piece of status with no intention of using them as they were intended.
While this may have been the case initially, experiencing a sanctioned track day alludes to the contrary. Getting an exclusive opportunity to enjoy the fervour and love that local owners and aficionados share for the legacy of Il Commendatore is unrivaled, with each car adorned by the Prancing Horse, paying homage in the only way they know how. After all, the horse cannot prance if it is left in the stable.
The experience and atmosphere of the day was special. Bearing witness to these creations at random is memorable but being invited to witness the passion in its purest form is almost stupefying. This particular SEFAC event hosted over 50 cars, over two full days at Zwartkops raceway. As expected, the pit garages were dominated by a sea of blood-red bodywork, with the occasional outlier, though equally as attractive as their scarlet siblings. Owners, drivers and guests milled through the scintillating parking lot in between sessions to enjoy some conversation. The winter conditions were ideal for peak performance; cool air temperature, a mild breeze and the glistening rays of sunlight beating down on the black tarmac worked in the favor of all those venturing out for a few hotlaps. A section of the pit garages hosted the purpose-built race cars of Pablo Clark, a popular name amongst local enthusiasts with a highly competitive appetite. The continually bustling sounds of the pit crews, the sporadic tone of impact drills and the throaty idles of naturally aspirated V8’s were immersive for all those who entered. The beauty of these cars lay not in their aero modifications or performance upgrades, but rather the battle scars and imperfections they had collected over years of competitive, wheel-to-wheel racing... undoubtedly Enzo’s stamp of approval.
The highlight of the experience came on the event’s second day. Bring presented with the opportunity to ‘ride shotgun’ in a naturally aspirated V12, with a professional driver behind the wheel, was enthralling. It was also an ideal way to understand the inner workings of these machines- appreciating them in their element. My bursts of excitement at the fast approaching corners were as undeterred as they were 15 years prior, however on this occasion I could comfortably see over the passenger side dashboard in my attempts to absorb the blurry motion of the surroundings darting by. The ecstasy only lasted for a few laps but it is a feeling that will not easily be forgotten. Some may consider 8 minutes of prolonged intake and exhaust audio, at full throttle, overwhelming, however, you probably wouldn’t find those people at an event like this to begin with.
The characteristically unique scream of a 12 cylinder Ferrari reverberated throughout the cockpit, stimulating an array of tactile and auditory senses. The Lampredi and Colombo developed V12’s were responsible for many on-track successes in the brands early years- surely a major reason why Enzo developed such an affinity towards them. In a world where the trend of downsizing to abide by stringent regulations, favoring less cylinders and forced induction, the brutal, naturally aspirated V12 found in the F12 Berlinetta may be one of the last ‘swan songs’ offered by Maranello.
The Bel Paese is undoubtedly proud of both racing pedigree and road-going sports cars, which have come to represent an almost secular religion over the past century. With Ferrari at the forefront, enthusiasts visiting the country are encouraged to attend the temporal pilgrimage to the Scuderia headquarters in the small town of Maranello. This national passion and love for speed is a contributing factor to the allure that Ferrari garners, making the creations feel more lively and vivacious than any other. Gratification comes from knowing that Ferrari road cars are deeply rooted in this victorious DNA that has stood the test of time, and the devotion of owners is evident in their pristine treatment of these monumental creations.
They are loved by owners and tifosi alike, and provide a rare opportunity to comprehend the pinnacle of the racing world while appreciating the rich history upon which they are grounded. Ferrari have gone from strength to strength over the decades, indelibly marked in history, and the best way to understand the lasting legacy of Enzo would surely be to share an experience on track. We can't wait for the next one!
