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The Ferrari Club of America is a U.S.-based organization for owners and enthusiasts of Ferrari-built sports cars. The club has 34 chapters spread across 16 regions in the U.S. and Canada. The club has over 5,000 members who share a common interest in Ferraris and was founded in 1962. Members of the Ferrari Club of America participate in numerous activities including parties, drives, rallies, gatherings, and track events. The current president of the club is Joe Adams.[1]
History
[edit]In the 1960’s, the Ferrari brand was beginning to gain popularity from car enthusiasts. In 1962, three friends, John Lundin, Gerry Sutterfield, and Ken Hutchison, attended an automobile event and had the opportunity to get an in-depth look at a Ferrari Barchetta. After seeing the car, inside and out, the three were motivated to develop a club. Later in 1962, the three, along with a few others who had interest in starting a club meet in Fort Wayne, Indiana. At the meeting, official assembly of a club was discussed, and the eighth people at the meeting are considered the founders of the club.[3]
John Lundin took the role of president and helped spearhead the incorporation of the club along with Ken Hutchison, Tom Caulfield, John Delamater, Larry Nicklin, and Dick Merritt who were all considered directors during the time of the clubs development. C.J. Habich, a Ferrari dealer in Homewood, Illinois, contacted Ferrari on the clubs behalf. Ferrari supported the development of the club and encouraged them to grow. Ferrari expressed its ultimate approval when they sent the club a logo to use, using the official Ferrari symbol.[3]
The club was officially incorporated on October 24, 1963. They received over 50 letters of inquiry after an article in “Road and Track” magazine was published about them. The first 100 members to join were considered Charter Members. They were assigned member numbers and are still recognized by the organization today. The organization published their first newsletter on August 13, 1964, titled, “The Prancing Horse.” Their first significant club event was held in Detroit, Michigan. 32 members attended and 12 Ferraris were brought to the event to be showcased. This significant event went on to be an annual tradition. The second and third annual meets were held in South Bend, Indiana, and Indianapolis, Indiana, respectively. The club continues to meet in large cities for major events at least once a year.[3]
Events
[edit]The Ferrari Club of America holds many different events, including a large annual meet. The annual meet is held in a different city every year and lasts one weekend. Some of the cities that have hosted the event include Los Angeles, California; Atlanta, Georgia; St. Louis, Missouri; and Toronto, Canada. In 2015, the annual meet will be held in Monterey, California, on August 16-19. The most popular activity of the weekend is the North American Field and Driving Concourse. This event showcases all different types of Ferraris and the cars are judged by which class they are in. Other activities at the annual meet include drives, technical seminars, banquets, and receptions.[4]
In 2012, the club celebrated its 50th anniversary with a special event. To celebrate, the club held a 20,000-mile relay led by a custom made Ferrari. The car traveled across North America visiting every region and chapter of the organization. Jim Taylor of TaylorMade Marine [11] sponsored the ceremony and is now the owner of special the Ferrari used to lead the relay.[5]
Publications
[edit]The Ferrari Club of America has two publications it sends to its members, the Prancing Horse and a monthly news bulletin. Their news bulletin contains information on each regions activity, editorials, and sections where one can buy and sell Ferrari parts. The Prancing Horse has been being published for 41 years and includes longer, more in-depth editorials, the latest updates in Ferrari advancements, event spotlights, and more. A sample of both publications can be viewed on the Ferrari Club of America’s website.[6]
Regions
[edit]Canada East Region
[edit]The Canada East Region of the Ferrari Club of America includes Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Newfoundland, and Nova Scotia. The director of the region is Lindsay Gillespie. The region is headquartered out of the Toronto area and has additional chapters in Ottawa and Montreal. Most of the regions events take place within an hour drive of Toronto.[7]
Central States Region
[edit]The Central States Region includes Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, and Ohio. The director of the region is Greg Mckibben. This region has over 500 members. One of their most popular events is their annual track weekend held in New Haven, Michigan. This event allows members to race around the track at Gingerman Raceway and is usually held in early June.[8]
Florida Region
[edit]The Florida Region includes Florida and Puerto Rico. The director of the region is Tom Barone. Members of this region receive a “Redline” which is a publication special to Florida Region members.[9] The Naples chapter of the Florida Region hosts an annual event called “Cars on 5Th” which benefits the Special Needs Children Foundation. In this event, exotic cars are showcased down 5th Avenue. Organizer Steve Cantera says Cars on 5th is one of the biggest events Naples has, and usually draws about 30,000 people.[10]
New England Region
[edit]The New England Region includes Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont. The director of the region is Suzy Hiniker. The New England Region has a unique publication titled “Horse Tales” that keeps members up to date with the regional events.[11]
Pacific Region
[edit]The Pacific Region includes Northern California and Northern Nevada. The director of the region is Randy Steyer. This region has a monthly event called the “Blackhawk Speaker Series” where they have a different guest speaker every month. In 2004, the Pacific Region created an award titled the “Ed Gilbertson Award” in honor of Ed Gilbertson, who served over 25 years as the Chief Concourse Judge of the Ferrari Club of America. Gilbertson lived by the philosophy, “Ferraris are meant to be driven.” The award is meant to recognize members who regularly drive their Ferrari. Members from all regions can be nominated by their directors to receive the award, but it was originated in the Pacific Region.[12]
References
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External links
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Category:Ferrari
Category:Automobile associations in the United States
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