[colonel1961]

I made a quick road trip up to Nashville, TN Monday night to hear my buddies in the Atlanta Rhythm Section (ARS) play a promoter’s show. Also playing were Rick Derringer, Pat Travers, Bob Welch, among others. Really a wonderful evening of classic rock.

The car was perfect. The temp and pressure gauges never left their marks once the car had reached optimal performance. I ran about 85mph - which is the unofficial speed limit in Alabama and Tennessee - in traffic and in areas I thought there would be Troopers. When I got the chance, I ran it pretty well, with a lot of jaunts at 125mph and a few above 150mph. The car was completely at ease around 100-105mph. At about 125mph, I could feel some speed – but no issues whatsoever. At 150mph I could feel the need for absolute precision and attention. Objects in your windshield are closer than they appear! lol

Only had one issue on the way home. I missed my first exit for Huntsville and while looking for a place to turn around, I lost my focus, only to look over into the oncoming lanes and see an Alabama State Trooper. When I looked down at the speedometer, I was at 105mph. And cursing. I looked in my mirrors and saw his blinker on and then his brake lights. Crap. I just slowed-down gently and pulled onto the shoulder.

He pulled up behind me and I got out my license and paper work and rolled down the window. If you’ve seen ‘An Officer and a Gentleman’ you can precisely picture this Trooper. A drill sergeant of the highest order, walking very upright and angry right up to my window. I thought I was going to meet the business end of a Maglite. He bent his head down into the open car to see me - not even smiling - and then said ‘Wow! Nice car!’ and cracked a huge smile! He could not have been nicer. Unfortunately, he had no choice but to write me a ticket.

He was terribly interested in the car and we talked quite a bit about it. He also asked what I did to be able to own such a toy. Like I said, a really good guy. And he cut me a break. He wrote me for 90mph in a 70mph zone, saving me aggressive speeding, reckless driving and the potential for losing my insurance or suffering a major rate increase. Or even being arrested, if he chose to do so…

A few photos attached (can't include the ticket scan, because it has my real name/address/SSN/DL#) including Pat Travers and Rick Derringer and one of me and Rick backstage/green room and a 'bug photo'. Camera phone - a little fuzzy. When I took the picture of Pat and Rick, the three of us had just finished discussing the best guitar player in the world (while discussing it with two of the world’s best guitar players!) – unanimous decision: Jeff Beck.

Thanks for letting me share…

[Boxer]

Great stuff. Sorry to hear about the ticket but all things considered not too bad. Good to see the 430 being used as intended and yes at 150 mph, the horizon is a lot closer than it might appear.

[JazzyO]

Great stuff! Road trips are what Ferraris are made for. Seems the trooper didn't let you off the hook completely but at least he was pleasant enough about it.

The ease with which these cars attain 150mph+ makes the 100mph mark feel like they're caged animals. It is very difficult to really use these cars in modern life, particularly in the US - quite a shame.


Onno

[colonel1961]

Originally Posted by Boxer

Great stuff. Sorry to hear about the ticket but all things considered not too bad. Good to see the 430 being used as intended and yes at 150 mph, the horizon is a lot closer than it might appear.

It was a thrill! With five years and four Ferraris, I had never taken one out of our city limits - which I hate to admit, although we do have wonderful driving roads as close as a mile from my door.

And the ticket was only $189.00 - I've had more than my money's worth telling that story to the crew at happy hour!

The objects ahead were the primary area of 'concern' for me. You see a car half a mile ahead and think it will be there is twenty five seconds, instead, it's there is twelve - and you'd better be braking long before the twelve!

[colonel1961]

Originally Posted by JazzyO

Great stuff! Road trips are what Ferraris are made for. Seems the trooper didn't let you off the hook completely but at least he was pleasant enough about it.

The ease with which these cars attain 150mph+ makes the 100mph mark feel like they're caged animals. It is very difficult to really use these cars in modern life, particularly in the US - quite a shame.


Onno

As I told my wife, by the second leg of the trip, 100mph was not even moving. My favorite was the 100mph to 125mph dash - I'd drop it into 5th and just give it a little tap - glorious sound and instant speed. I'm getting goose bumps just typing about it!

[Boxer]

Originally Posted by colonel1961

The objects ahead were the primary area of 'concern' for me. You see a car half a mile ahead and think it will be there is twenty five seconds, instead, it's there is twelve - and you'd better be braking long before the twelve!

Yes, you close on other cars at an entirely different rate than normal. Running the F40 down the autobahn was a good exercise in measured braking distances. One minute the object/other car is a dot on the horizon, 10 seconds later it is looming directly ahead and not moving out of the way......

[colonel1961]

Originally Posted by Boxer

Yes, you close on other cars at an entirely different rate than normal. Running the F40 down the autobahn was a good exercise in measured braking distances. One minute the object/other car is a dot on the horizon, 10 seconds later it is looming directly ahead and not moving out of the way......

It would be a wonderful experience to drive on the autobahn - or what I think of it - good roads, very good drivers, and still in many places no John Q. Law - making high speeds more enjoyable!

[Barry]

Originally Posted by colonel1961

It would be a wonderful experience to drive on the autobahn - or what I think of it - good roads, very good drivers, and still in many places no John Q. Law - making high speeds more enjoyable!

I did the Autobahn on a Ducati 999 superbike in 2006 with 2 mates. 260 kmh on the clock, every limb tucked in, world spinning past me at frightening speed and what happens.... I get overtaken by a Ferrari!

Could it be coincidence that within 6 months I had a 360? (Probably, because that plan was hatched decades before 2006!)
Barry.

[colonel1961]

Originally Posted by Barry O'Brien

I did the Autobahn on a Ducati 999 superbike in 2006 with 2 mates. 260 kmh on the clock, every limb tucked in, world spinning past me at frightening speed and what happens.... I get overtaken by a Ferrari!

Could it be coincidence that within 6 months I had a 360? (Probably, because that plan was hatched decades before 2006!)
Barry.

160mph is plenty fast on a bike...

[Barry]

Originally Posted by colonel1961

160mph is plenty fast on a bike...

I agree. And probably nearly as fast as it would go. (but I was young[er] then!!)

[colonel1961]

Originally Posted by Barry O'Brien

I agree. And probably nearly as fast as it would go. (but I was young[er] then!!)

Youth! I remember it well... (kinda)

[Boxer]

Originally Posted by colonel1961

It would be a wonderful experience to drive on the autobahn - or what I think of it - good roads, very good drivers, and still in many places no John Q. Law - making high speeds more enjoyable!

Come on over next spring. We should be planning a FLED 3 about that time.

[colonel1961]

Originally Posted by Boxer

Come on over next spring. We should be planning a FLED 3 about that time.

Thanks for the invite! I have seen reference to FLED 3, but am not exactly sure what it is (other than assuming a Ferrari/Exotic road trip somewhere in Europe). Is there a link that shows details? Would I have to ship my car over?

Thanks again!

[Boxer]

Originally Posted by colonel1961

Thanks for the invite! I have seen reference to FLED 3, but am not exactly sure what it is (other than assuming a Ferrari/Exotic road trip somewhere in Europe). Is there a link that shows details? Would I have to ship my car over?

Thanks again!

Colonel Sir, Background and info on the first 2 FLED's:

FLED 2 Report

http://www.ferrarilife.com/library/d...type=flq&id=93

and you would either need to ship your car or make arrangements to rent one in Europe.

[colonel1961]

Originally Posted by Boxer

Colonel Sir, Background and info on the first 2 FLED's:

FLED 2 Report

http://www.ferrarilife.com/library/d...type=flq&id=93

and you would either need to ship your car or make arrangements to rent one in Europe.

Incredible photos and video! My guess is that it would be cheaper (although not cheap!) to rent a Modena than to transport the 430 - just a guess. Exciting - I will look for upcoming posts - thanks!

[Boxer]

Originally Posted by colonel1961

Incredible photos and video! My guess is that it would be cheaper (although not cheap!) to rent a Modena than to transport the 430 - just a guess. Exciting - I will look for upcoming posts - thanks!

Probably much cheaper to rent.

[colonel1961]

Originally Posted by Boxer

Probably much cheaper to rent.

Agreed. Shall check around the internet and and/or take suggestions. And then check my enigmatic schedule...