[Mike430]

Originally Posted by 4italia

Mike,
Christian was also our guide. Great kid and seemed like he really likes his job. I had him sign the inside of my book as a momento. I thought the book was pretty classy. Did you see the foundry or the classiche department? I would imagine the foundry is probably off limits due to safety reasons. I thought the Formula 1 building was the coolest part. Did you notice the champagne bottles sitting on the shelves? Christian said that Schumacher gave them to the guys in the shop. Did you have lunch at Cavallino?

Yeah Christian was a great guide, and definitely enjoys his job Damn I didn't even think of having him sign my book, which is a great book for the memorabilia collection.

The F1 building was awesome and we did get the opportunity to see Classiche. Inside we got to see a 599XX Evoluzione, 250 Testa Rossa in Brazilian colours, a 340 Mexico Berlinetta and a 246 S Dino Spyder. There were a handful of other models that were under car covers but we never got to see what was under these covers.

After the tour we went across to the Ferrari Store where Christian gave us the book and then we went to have lunch at Cavillino - great restaurant - and Gunther Raupp from Raupp calendars was in Maranello at the time and he landed up having lunch with us which was great getting to know and speak to him.

[4italia]

F1 building is truly amazing! To me it is the heart and soul of the whole company considering it was what Enzo Ferrari was most passionate about. You almost felt his ghost walking around. Our guide told us that the pit team practices inside 20 times a day to perfect the skill of changing a tire in three seconds. We were able to walk right up to the cars and check out the inside of the cockpits and the steering wheels. The steering wheels were amazing! To see 36 Formula one cars sitting in one area was spectacular to say the least. Very expensive parts everywhere including shelves full of brand new boxed up BBS wheels. You your also able to put your hand on a tire and move the whole car with nothing but a push of about a half inch with one finger. Cars are amazingly light and balanced to perfection. Our guide said the cars weigh 600 kilograms. you could eat off the floors in there. Any factory worker can put in a request to move into that department if they so desire. All in all a fantastic experience!!

[Barry]

Originally Posted by 4italia

F1 building is truly amazing! To me it is the heart and soul of the whole company considering it was what Enzo Ferrari was most passionate about. You almost felt his ghost walking around. Our guide told us that the pit team practices inside 20 times a day to perfect the skill of changing a tire in three seconds. We were able to walk right up to the cars and check out the inside of the cockpits and the steering wheels. The steering wheels were amazing! To see 36 Formula one cars sitting in one area was spectacular to say the least. Very expensive parts everywhere including shelves full of brand new boxed up BBS wheels. You your also able to put your hand on a tire and move the whole car with nothing but a push of about a half inch with one finger. Cars are amazingly light and balanced to perfection. Our guide said the cars weigh 600 kilograms. you could eat off the floors in there. Any factory worker can put in a request to move into that department if they so desire. All in all a fantastic experience!!

That sounds like quite an experience. Would love to see inside the F1 facility. Can you tell us how you managed to swing that element of the tour?

[Scottish16M]

Originally Posted by Barry

That sounds like quite an experience. Would love to see inside the F1 facility. Can you tell us how you managed to swing that element of the tour?

Barry, on both of my recent Factory Tours we have been inside this building, we also visited Alonso and Massa' F1 build bays & saw their cars as they were back at the factory in-between the seasons F1 races. When we moved on to the F1 Clientele area which houses most of the ex F1 racing cars, this is the area I believe 4italia is on about, it was a truly surreal experience as we were wandering about all of the famous racers which have all the greats names on them. We then also enjoyed a visit to the FXX and 599XX areas too, so doubtless when we are there in September we'll enjoy the same visits again, I will request this of our guide to ensure these areas are included and if Rosetta is our Tour Guide we're all in for a massive treat as she used to work with the F1 Team & she is very, very knowledgable!

[Barry]

Originally Posted by Scottish16M

Barry, on both of my recent Factory Tours we have been inside this building, we also visited Alonso and Massa' F1 build bays & saw their cars as they were back at the factory in-between the seasons F1 races. When we moved on to the F1 Clientele area which houses most of the ex F1 racing cars, this is the area I believe 4italia is on about, it was a truly surreal experience as we were wandering about all of the famous racers which have all the greats names on them. We then also enjoyed a visit to the FXX and 599XX areas too, so doubtless when we are there in September we'll enjoy the same visits again, I will request this of our guide to ensure these areas are included and if Rosetta is our Tour Guide we're all in for a massive treat as she used to work with the F1 Team & she is very, very knowledgable!

That would be great Peter. On my factory visit in 2007 we never ventured outside of the areas where the road cars are manufactured. In insight to the F1 area this time round would be fantastic.

[Scottish16M]

Originally Posted by Barry

That would be great Peter. On my factory visit in 2007 we never ventured outside of the areas where the road cars are manufactured. In insight to the F1 area this time round would be fantastic.

Knowing you as I do now, I am absolutely certain you'll be like a kid in a candy store, so that'll make at least two of us then

[Barry]

Originally Posted by Scottish16M

Knowing you as I do now, I am absolutely certain you'll be like a kid in a candy store, so that'll make at least two of us then

Closer to 15 of us I think...

[JazzyO]

Originally Posted by Barry

Closer to 15 of us I think...

Speak for yourself, I'll be like a kid in a sportscar factory! Who cares about candy!


Onno

[Rallyman]

I am interested in joinning a factory tour and the other side activities.

I will start making inquiries with my contacts in Ferrari Switzerland and in Classiche. In the meantime, if anyone hears of an option to join a group, please let me know.

[Barry]

Originally Posted by Rallyman

I am interested in joinning a factory tour and the other side activities.

I will start making inquiries with my contacts in Ferrari Switzerland and in Classiche. In the meantime, if anyone hears of an option to join a group, please let me know.

Rallyman, check out this thread. http://www.ferrarilife.com/forums/fe...lo-2012-a.html

I'm not sure if there is any space left on the factory tour, but there should be no problems in joining us for all the other activities.

[kk61]

Originally Posted by wetpet

i would be very interested to see how this works out........

Well as warned, advice came back I need to book through a Ferrari dealer to get the full fat factory walk through tour. As I have a 308GTB which has not seen a dealer for a few years, I am pretty sure this will lead nowhere. I'll call tomorrow and find out either way.

There is a general tour for the public which is probably all I can get to at this notice. So that plus the museo, cavalino etc will have to do this trip.

[JazzyO]

Originally Posted by kk61

As I have a 308GTB which has not seen a dealer for a few years, I am pretty sure this will lead nowhere. I'll call tomorrow and find out either way.

You can still register your car on the Ferrari.com website and book a proper factory tour through there.

In Europe, I'm sure a dealer would arrange it for you if you were asking nicely. I get a feeling the NA dealers are a bit ....., well how to put this politely?


Onno

[Barry]

When I first got my 360, I called up my nearest F dealer, whom I had no relationship with at that point and they very graciously organised a factory tour for me. I would certainly ring your local dealer and ask them.

[kk61]

Originally Posted by Barry

When I first got my 360, I called up my nearest F dealer, whom I had no relationship with at that point and they very graciously organised a factory tour for me. I would certainly ring your local dealer and ask them.

Thanks guys

Will give it a shot with the local dealer today

[kk61]

Originally Posted by kk61

Thanks guys

Will give it a shot with the local dealer today

Well gents, progress is made!

I called the local dealer today and explained to reception what I was after, ie the factory tour available for owners. (I've had no previous dealings with them as I have a 308GTB bought privately).

An hour later I had a call from the National Marketing Manager at the Australian Ferrari Importer, who only asked what dates I was looking at.

24 hours later I have a letter from her confirming my appointment for the factory tour on May 4, including name and contact number at the factory.

Brilliant. Having heard a few horror stories about trying to get in, I am seriously impressed.

Kon

[Scottish16M]

Originally Posted by kk61

Well gents, progress is made!

I called the local dealer today and explained to reception what I was after, ie the factory tour available for owners. (I've had no previous dealings with them as I have a 308GTB bought privately).

An hour later I had a call from the National Marketing Manager at the Australian Ferrari Importer, who only asked what dates I was looking at.

24 hours later I have a letter from her confirming my appointment for the factory tour on May 4, including name and contact number at the factory.

Brilliant. Having heard a few horror stories about trying to get in, I am seriously impressed.

Kon

Fantastic to hear, you're going to have a brilliant time!

[Barry]

Originally Posted by kk61

Well gents, progress is made!

I called the local dealer today and explained to reception what I was after, ie the factory tour available for owners. (I've had no previous dealings with them as I have a 308GTB bought privately).

An hour later I had a call from the National Marketing Manager at the Australian Ferrari Importer, who only asked what dates I was looking at.

24 hours later I have a letter from her confirming my appointment for the factory tour on May 4, including name and contact number at the factory.

Brilliant. Having heard a few horror stories about trying to get in, I am seriously impressed.

Kon

Result!

If you don't ask, you don't get! Enjoy the tour...

[JazzyO]

Great news Kon, these Ferrari guys are not all bad you know. It's a fantastic experience and worth the long haul from Australia, enjoy it.


Onno

[wetpet]

congrats. well played.

[kk61]

Arrived in Modena this afternoon and am staying halfway between Maranello and Modena.

Tomorrow we go to the Museo Enzo Ferrari in Modena which only opened in March, followed by the factory tour in the afternoon.

As a bonus my wife thinks Modena is delightful (I think the expectation was it to be a factory town).

I think it's fair to say I'm looking forward to it.

Kon