The 2015 Ferrari Cavalcade had been in my calendar for close to 3 months, so you can imagine my excitement when the day finally arrived.
This year’s event is the fourth Ferrari Cavalcade. 105 cars from 37 countries made the pilgrimage to Rome to take part. By some sheer stroke of luck or goodwill, I found myself piloting the 104th prancing horse on the starting grid.
My co-pilot for the trip was none other than a straight-laced German journalist named Wolfgang, who immediately told me I could talk to him once I’d done Nürburgring in under 10 minutes. Our relationship was taking off like a wrought iron hang glider.
“It was a speed test on a two-mile runway. My friendly German co-pilot and I reached 250km/h before I closed my eyes and gave him the wheel.”
Day One
Day one began at 9am. With the actual time of departure in another timezone, we had a chance to inspect the other machines like the mighty LaFerrari hypercar, the 458 Speciale, FF, F12 and our modest (in comparison) but hard working California T. Truth be told, the Australian flag they had stuck on the car tugged at my heartstrings.
The biggest shock of the day came when we were given a navigation book. Yes, a book. That’s when you realise Google Maps won’t save you and you proceed to listen very carefully to the morning brief. Thankfully, Herman the German was on navigating duty today. Got to love German efficiency in times like these.
Navigating Rome traffic can only be described as “challenging” but pedestrians do tend to get out of the way when you’re in a Ferrari. In my case, driving on the opposite side of the car and road meant it’s the parked cars that posed the greatest problem. The constant shouts of ‘nein’, ‘don’t let him in’ and ‘schnell’ were a reminder that whatever I was doing, I was doing it wrong.
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Our first stop of the day was an Italian air force base just outside of Rome. We were greeted with salutes and men (and woman) waving us in like they were landing an A380. Once inside, it was a speed test on a two-mile runway. My friendly German co-pilot and I reached 250km/h before I closed my eyes and gave him the wheel. Mission accomplished.
We then ventured a few kilometres down the road to the seaside town of Ostia, where we had a quick lunch before departing for our next checkpoint. That’s the stage where things got real.
Imagine blasting through the hills with a red 458 Speciale A on your tailpipe whilst trying to catch a silver LaFerrari up ahead. Over 25 kilometres of tight, windy roads led us to the next checkpoint in a small village before a decent into Rome concluded the day.
After jumping out of the car, we immediately made friends with the drivers we had been racing. Praise flowed freely, and there was a real sense that everyone was there to do just one thing: enjoy the Ferrari brand and be part of the illustrious Italian family.
Day Two
Welcome to day two of the running of the horses, where bystanders simply stop in awe as opposed to running for dear life.
After day one’s schooling, getting a good night’s rest proved harder than first thought. Despite my sleep-deprived state, I rallied to become day two’s co-driver while Herman took over the controls in our bordeaux-coloured Ferrari California T.
Herman is a racing car driver in between being a journalist, so we called our lawyers and topped up the life insurance.
“Today was hands-down the most amazing driving experience of my life, as for about 90% of the time I thought it would be my last.”
At the 8am start time, the Ferrari Cavalcade began the journey up the mountains to the ski village of Terminillo. En route to the peak, we were met with a 5-stage time trial to test our mettle. This was hands-down the most amazing driving experience of my life, as for about 90% of the time I thought it would be my last. The sound of Ferrari engines echoed through the trees as we flew up the tight, winding roads (top down, naturally).
The summit was amazing. I stepped out of the car, thankful for my life, with combined feelings of exhilaration and relief. No doubt there’s a long German word to describe that sensation. The 30 minute pitstop was enough time for the cars to file in one by one and take in the beauty of the Italian hills during summer. With the ski lifts dormant and the grass exposed, it was near impossible not to fall in love with Italy.
The atmosphere changed noticeably on day two. Everyone is more familiar with each other, and new friends are made easily. Guests are wealthy and influential, but down to earth. And most importantly, all share a love of the prancing horse.
One fellow we’ve become friendly with is an American music producer called George. George is based in Berlin and an avid collector of Ferraris. At last count he had fifteen. His ride for this trip is the new AU$1,700,000 LaFerrari in a vibrant and unmissable red, sporting the number 14.
Pitstop completed, we began our descent into the town of Assisi. A pearl white 597hp Ferrari 458A, driven by the wild Tani Hanna and his equally mad wife, challenged us to a toe-to-toe race. We happily complied, noting how cool his wife was with being a passenger on a trip like this. Hang onto that one.
Assisi is the Pope’s summer holiday residence, an incredible history that dates back to 1000 BC. We were lucky enough to explore the grounds and dining halls of the Pope and his entourage. Can Popes have entourages? They do now.
As the day progressed, I reclaimed driving duties and bid farewell to Herman. My new co-pilot was a cardiac surgeon from Miami, Florida, on his second Cavalcade. He’d joined the 2014 event in Sicily. After stopping briefly in Perugia, we made our way back to Rome on the Autostrade with a top speed of…oh, well, you don’t want to know that.
Tomorrow is another day of horsing around. For now, we’re off to the Vatican to experience it without the hoards of people. Backstage with Ferrari – this is a life in the fast lane you could easily get used to.
Day Three
The Ferrari Cavalcade rocketed into its third day today. With yesterday’s time trials and hiccups out of the way, we were expecting things to be a little smoother…but just as much fun.
I couldn’t see myself as a Ferrari owner before this trip. It was a symbol of success, but not one I was particularly interested in being a part of. These past three days have undoubtedly converted me.
I’ve watched people line the streets just to catch a glimpse of the 105 prancing horses as they cruise by. Everywhere we go, we’ve been met with cheers and the international sign for ‘give it some gas.’ It’s been not only unforgettable, but an honour to be involved with this experience. Ferrari is Italy, Italy is Ferrari, and the patriotism is truly contagious.
“At one point there were twelve LaFerraris parked in pit lane – at $AU1.7M each, you can do the maths.”
Once again, I was joined by a new co-pilot today. My partner-in-crime was a cool Swiss gentleman – a freelance journalist and avid watch collector, who wasted no time spotting my IWC Big Pilot. He sported a G-SHOCK Gulfmaster in vibrant Ferrari yellow.
Today’s course took us up to Orvieto through 160 kilometres of stomach-churning road and postcard-worthy towns. Our Ferrari California T’s 418 kW turbo-charged power plant dealt with them quickly and easily.
The gearbox in this car is an absolute dream, dropping in and out of Tiptronic and automatic with little fuss. The sound produced may not be as aggressive as its cousins, but it doesn’t matter when you’re driving a bloody Ferrari.
The highlight of today’s agenda was our visit to the Autodrome Vallelunga racing circuit just outside of Rome. Picture it: a handful of the world’s most incredible cars, all on one racing track. Seeing the likes of old Ferrari F40s and even the new 488 in full flight was a sight to behold. At one point there were twelve LaFerraris parked in pit lane – at $AU1.7M each, you can do the maths.
I paid 20 Euro for my rented crash helmet, grabbed my Italian racing driver mate Donato, and made like the wind onto the circuit. After 20 minutes, our time with Autodrome Vallelunga and the Ferrari California’s traction control came to an end.
Tomorrow is our last day here with the Ferrari Cavalcade. I’m sad to see this incredible trip end, but first: tonight’s Roman-themed party. Time to get my toga on.
Day Four
As the curtain began to fall on the Ferrari Cavalcade, we set out on the fourth and final day of this illustrious motoring spectacle.
It’s been difficult to capture the countless places, cars and people I’ve crossed paths with on this adventure. The experience has been incredible from start to finish. Truly a once in a lifetime trip.
Rome rolled out the red carpet for the cavalcade today. The streets were partially closed for a 10km parade through the city’s beautiful boulevards. With the sun beaming down on the spectacle, we dropped the top on the California T and pretended we were royalty.
“Made to measure tuxedos, diamonds, Patek Philippes, Christian Louboutins and Valentino gowns were the order of the day.”
It’s a rare occasion to see this many stallions in procession (105 to be exact). It was more surreal, as a driver, to see how many spectators stopped, waved, took photos and cheered us on. The Australian flag on the side of our car even earned a few shouts of ‘Aussie Aussie Aussie!’ along the way.
As expected, the Rome police egged the cars to ‘bag em’ up’ as we say in Australia. Of course we didn’t, but Josh Cartu from Team Wolfpack was more than happy to oblige. UPDATE: Turns out Josh Cartu was a crook and ripped a lot of people off. To be fair, he was a massive flog.
The 30 minute parade somehow turned into a 3-hour cruise up to Castelli Romani and Lago Alberto, to yet another amazing vista. Somehow we had not yet become immune to those, even after 4 days of them.
Castelli Romani was our final destination before returning to Rome for a black tie gala dinner in the Mercati di Traiano. Made to measure tuxedos, diamonds, Patek Philippes, Christian Louboutins and Valentino gowns were the order of the day. We were playing with the big boys, even if it was only for a few days. At one point in the evening I proudly showed a guest my IWC. He responded by instantly trumping me with his vintage IWC Minute Repeater.
Ferrari President and CEO Sergio Marchionne awarded prizes and auctioned off Ferrari merchandise. Proceeds will be donated to the City of Rome for the restoration of the city’s historical wonders. Unfortunately, we didn’t earn any trophies. Those honours were taken by the rampant Japanese entries.
I couldn’t see a Ferrari in my future going into this experience, but coming out of it, well, that’s a different story. Combine the design, the sound and the feeling of driving one of these machines, throw in the money that can buy access to an event like this, and it becomes a very tantalising prospect to one day own a Ferrari.
If you’re already an owner, the Ferrari Cavalcade has to be experienced. I personally made a lot of new friends and regardless of wealth or status, these were good people who all appreciate the love of motoring. The next stop for the Ferrari Cavalcade will be San Francisco in August, the first time the tour has been on international soil.
That’s it for Ferrari Cavalcade 2015. We hope you’ve enjoyed our exclusive coverage of the event.
We’ve attached Ferrari’s own official video wrap of the final day for your viewing pleasure. But for now…
Arrivederci from Roma!
