by Marilyn DeMartini
Ferrari owners, like their cars, epitomize high-caliber, high-energy and high-tech performance. While Italian automotive manufacturer, Enzo Ferrari, and designer Battista "Pinin" Farina, revolutionized the industry in the mid 1900's, Ferrari owners across the U.S. and Canada, still commemorate the legend as members of the 4,700-strong Ferrari Club of America (FCA).
And how can one better appreciate the ultimate driving precision of the "House of Maranello," than by careening through winding mountain passes at the peak of autumn's color change? The Rocky Mountain Region chapter of the FCA is a highly organized and active group of Ferrari enthusiasts who stage an annual event ranked #1 on the members' list, The Ferrari Fall Foliage Tour. "Ferrari's are meant to be driven," says Peter Taylor, trip organizer, "And there is no better state in the Union in which to drive them!"
Imagine yourself ensconced securely in a cockpit, behind the wheel of a top-notch performance machine, silhouetted against a sun-drenched aqua sky, navigating hair-pin turns, feeling the responsiveness of rack and pinion steering, gated shifting, and the sheer adrenaline surge of roaring through narrow mountain roads with a speeding pack of comrades. Passengers feel their bodies hug the curves—some with white knuckles, some tugging at the driver's arm and some just enjoying the splendor of golden aspen leaves, fluttering across the road, shaken from tree limbs by the vibration of 400+ horsepower. There is something in this trip for the drivers and the "navigators" besides fellowship, fine food and felicity. This weekend romp provides the opportunity to bring out the big artillery, pull out the stops and take it to the streets.
Ubiquitous ear-to-ear grins convey the zeal of the group, which translates to spirited story telling over wine and cocktails when the cars are parked at each day's final destination. In fact, the inaugural Fall Foliage Tour was a wine-tasting trip, but the FCA mandated that no sanctioned Ferrari event could include alcohol en route. So now, a three-day event includes day jaunts of multiple pit stops, stretch breaks and a lunch, culminating in a fine dining and drinking experience. It is an adventurous travel package for a motley crew of motor-heads that is about "the finer things in life."
As meticulously as they keep their cars, members plan the trip with new and entertaining routes and destinations, guaranteeing a visual and visceral rush at every turn. The sumptuously scenic mountain excursions are arranged with two main priorities—first class hotel accommodations where approximately 30 cars can park securely overnight, and proximity to fine-dining restaurants.
A distinguishing factor of this group is that unlike some Ferrari owners who use the car for show on Sunday afternoon spins, this group likes to drive. Hence, passing is "encouraged," though not on the double line, giving members and others on the road the chance to see, feel and hear the cars in motion. The sound of the engines is intoxicating to any true motor enthusiast and is awe-inspiring to the "normal" gawking motorists on the way.
The assortment of cars is as broad as the assortment of people—doctors, lawyers and executive chiefs, as well as small businessmen and women--and even an occasional celebrity like Adele Arakawa, a Denver TV news anchor who is also a certified driving instructor for the regional Porsche Club. Her C4S Porsche and a few select top-caliber models like a race-inspired '04 GT3, a '97 911 Turbo S (one of 183 ever built) and an '03 911 Turbo X50 were "allowed" to join the run, provided they first join the Ferrari Club. "The Porsches say that they'll get to the destination first and save us tables, but we put them in the back so we don't run them over!" jokes one participant, acknowledging the friendly competition between the marques. But Ferraris rule the road, with each mid-engine V-8 model represented, showing the evolution of the line—a fashion show of over 50 years of sporting heritage and style. The late-model front-engined V-12's also make a statement, as do collector items like a 1955 Ferrari 375, a 330 GTC or the classic 512TR Testarossa.
"There is a mystique about Ferraris," says Jim Walters, regional chapter president and national FCA treasurer, "But few people realize you can spend as little as $30,000 for a 308, made famous by Magnum P.I.'s Tom Sellick, or as much as $12+ million for a limited edition 250 GTO."
The Ferraris become a blur of red and yellow with an occasional streak of silver, black or blue, winding along mountain passes. Like a high-speed train, the drivers take their abilities to the limit, respecting the power of the engine, the hazards of the road—and law enforcement as well. One truck tried to keep up with the pack on the Telluride-Aspen leg and got a speeding ticket as the rest of the fleet flew by. Fair, perhaps not, but how could one cop stop the Italian Express?!
The Ferrari is a symbol of perfection, elegance and performance, as is the annual Fall Foliage Tour. Keystone and Denver resident Gregory Weinstein, a first-timer with the club, jumped out of his Testarossa and exclaimed through a Cheshire Cat grin, "This is extremely motivating! I need to keep making lots of money so I can do this more often!" To share the experience of running "Wide-Aspen-Open," visit the Ferrari Club of America Rocky Mountain Region website (www.fcarmc.com) for future tour dates and routes. As club literature irreverently paraphrases Enzo Ferrari, "In vino veritas...in Ferrari haulinass."
Sidebar - Millionaire Recommends:
When on a Denver, Telluride, Aspen and return route, try the following pit stops:
Gunnison
Palisades Restaurant - a quaint country eatery with an outdoor patio—and plenty of parking. The bacon-wrapped goat cheese stuffed jalapeno peppers will get your motor running! 820 North Main Street, Gunnison, CO 970-641-9223.
Telluride
At the Mountain Village, The Wyndham Peaks Resort offers a total respite from the day's drive, ski trip or mountain bike climb or hike. Dining options range from Old West to Alpine and luxury penthouses, rooms, suites and cabins include access to the lavish Golden Door Spa. With a full fitness facility, indoor and outdoor pools and hot tubs, tucked amid panoramic mountain views, the Peaks offers the ultimate, "Ahhhh!"
136 Country Club Drive, Telluride Mountain Village, CO 81435 800-789-2220
For dinner, take a romantic, star-studded ride down the ski gondola, part of Telluride's town transit system into the Mountain Village.
La Marmotte beckons at the base of the gondola, a Victorian mining cabin, transformed into an haute cuisine restaurant. Chef Mark Reggiannini left New York to bring his French-inspired style to the mountains and created a new legacy. The outdoor porch becomes a lounge that leads to cozy 2-level dining room where service is as special as the menu. The crËme brulee is worth each fat gram. 150 West San Juan Avenue, Telluride, CO 81435 970-728-6232.
Paonia
Stopping for gas? Why not visit the 80 year-old, 90 acre, Stahl's Orchard for some fresh peaches, cherries, plums or pears? Stahl Orchard, 635 Stahl Road, Paonia, CO 81428 www.stahlorchards.com 970-527-3100.
While there, take a trip down memory lane at the Paonia Town Park on a Sunday afternoon. With luck, the Ute Trails Car Club will be staging a show of classic and vintage cars.
Redstone
While traveling through the Roaring Fork Valley, Redstone is a must-stop. This little Crystal River bank town, built for marble miners by mining magnate J.C. Osgood has been frozen in time to preserve the peaceful beauty of yesteryear. Quaint shops, a tiny museum, impressive art society and of course an ice cream shop, make it a stop to stretch your legs and your imagination to a time when life was simpler and more serene.
Aspen
Hotel Jerome — Founded in 1889, The Hotel Jerome exudes an elegant Old West bordello aura from the velvet draped and scroll wallpapered rooms, to the Library Cigar Bar. While the outdoor pool, hot tubs and Garden Terrace lend a more modern mountain oasis feel, the atmosphere is still Western, from the stately Century Room to the J-Bar's marble floored saloon, complete with carved maple bar and tin ceiling. Located in the center of town, within easy walking distance of sumptuous shops, galleries and restaurants, the hotel claims, "If you haven't been to the Jerome, you haven't been to Aspen." 330 East Main Street, Aspen, CO 81611, 800-331-7213
L'Hosteria — Authentic Italian cuisine is a stroll away from the Jerome as owner Tiziano Gortan, from Udine, Italy presents casually elegant atmosphere and gastronomically fabulous fare. Boasting Aspen's only carpaccio bar, try both the beef and tuna. The risotto and polenta offerings are Italian country-style, but the menu is varied with pastas, seafood and some excellent proscuitto as an appetizer complimented by sharp cheeses and olives. Robust Italian wines flow and the dessert tray will satisfy the most serious chocoholic. 620 E. Hyman Street, Aspen, CO 81611 970-925-9022.
Since a well-shined car is as important as a well-tuned one...
Detailers Paradise features prestigious care products including the German einszett brand and other premium brands. Detailers Paradise is also the source for Italian Beta Tools, recognized as the finest hand tools in the world and the official tools of the Scuderia, Formula 1's Team Ferrari. www.detailersparadise.com. 800-405-9970. A retail location to be opened soon at Broadway and Speer Streets in Denver.
Or, try another club favorite at www.finishfirstofcolorado.com, a synthetic appearance product—not a wax—made for exotic cars. 800-637-4527.
Oster Watch and Jewelry Boutique, a favorite of the Rocky Mountain Ferrari Club, sponsors many of the group's events. Fine jewelry can greatly appease a woman when a new Ferrari appears in the garage! www.osterjewelers.com, 251 Steele Street, Cherry Creek North, Denver, CO 80206, 303-572-1111.
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