Prancing Horses gallop

Ferrari owners from Bahrain joined Prancing Horse enthusiasts from around the world at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi which staged the first ever Ferrari Festival to be held in the region, writes Stan Szecowka.

For two consecutive days, more than 200 Ferrari enthusiasts were able to witness some of the finest models ever produced by the Italian marque on the track.

Organised by the Corse Clienti Department of Maranello, with the help of Ferrari Middle East & Africa, the Ferrari Festival featured a number of historic Formula One single-seaters along with examples of the 599XX and the FXX, for which Ferrari organises a number of exclusive events at the world's leading tracks every year.

In addition, the event also hosted the entire production range of Maranello cars in the pits as part of an action-packed programme, with a total of 14 models on display.

The organisers said that only 'a journey to Maranello' could have delivered the emotion of being so close to the heart of Ferrari, but the decision to hold the Corse Clienti season-opener in the Gulf, the latest in a number of special activities organised by the company in the region for clients, underlines the importance of the Middle East.

Members of the Ferrari Owners Club (Bahrain) had their beloved cars dispatched by road to Abu Dhabi in special covered trailers to participate in last week's event.

Club president Hani Al Anali explained: "It's like having a race horse in the stable, it's pretty to look at ... but when you take it to the track you see it's real beauty!"

As part of Ferrari's non-competitive activities, the 599XX Programme wants to 'involve the clients of the Prancing Horse looking for pure fun on the track'.

And, its FXX Programme claims to be 'the ultimate level of motoring that does not involve racing'.

The Ferrari FXX does not stand out simply because of the incredible performance of its 860 horsepower delivered by the V12 engine, but also because of the programme of technical collaboration that exists for its 'owner-test drivers' who have acquired the 30 cars built solely for track use.

The opportunity to experience the same thrills as a F1 driver at the wheel of one of the world title-winning single-seaters of 1970 to the present day is also being offered.

Since 2003, in fact, the F1 Clienti division has been maintaining and preparing for sale Prancing Horse single-seaters that have come to the end of their competitive careers.

A team of technicians, all of whom have worked for several years with the Ferrari Gestione Sportiva Racing Division, lend their expertise to the select number of collectors. These same owners get the opportunity to bring their single-seaters to some of the world's most famous circuits to take part in Ferrari events too.

Hussain Karimi, 27, from Janabiyh, transported his Ferrari F430 Coupe to last week's event and admitted: "It's a very capable car on the track and at the time doesn't feel like a road car. This is a unique experience."

He believes the technological advancements achieved by Ferrari are evident in the way the road cars handle and these achievements will benefit motorists in general in the years to come.

For example, Ferrari's Formula 1 ambitions meant that it was the first car manufacturer to supply carbon ceramic brakes as standard on its road cars.

Brakes featuring carbon ceramic material discs offer consistently excellent performance in intensive use.

One advantage to adopting these brakes is their exceptional fade resistance - fade can compromise the driver's feeling of control when it comes to the pressure required on the brake pedal and responsiveness.

During the festival news spread of the esculating disturbances in Bahrain and the Bahraini participants, who were planning to stay until the weekend, returned to the kingdom on the earliest available flights to be with their families.

Pietro Innocenti, general manager of Ferrari Middle East & Africa, said that similar events may be staged at the Bahrain International Circuit in the future.

For more Ferrari information visit Euro Motors' showroom in Sitra or call 17750750.