Culture and heritage meet the unbridled power of more than 100 Ferraris
In the wake of three successful editions of the Ferrari Cavalcade, this year saw over 100 Ferrari owners gathered at one of the cradles of Western civilisation. Art, history, gastronomy and the undeniable allure of Rome became the focus across the five-day event in June. The illustrious company of owners comprised enthusiasts who had flown in from all over the world.
The collective noun used to describe this gathering was most apt. The word cavalcade has its origins in the 16th century and denotes a ride on horseback. Thus it came to be, with the first stage. With the riders astride their mechanical steeds, the cobalt blue sky fills with the roar of 100 engines – an estimated combined power of 70,000 horses – which sets off the acceleration trial challenges at the military airport of Pratica di Mare.
Here, an orchestra of mechanical wizardry ensues; from the eight-cylinder warbling of the Ferrari California to the aggressive shrieking from the Spider 458 Speciale racing engines. Hitting the highest notes are the jubilant sounds of the F12 hybrid racer La Ferrari, with 15 of these models at the start.
Following the frenetic opening, the Cavalcade begins to meander through the winding mountain roads of Tolfa. Ilaria Alber-Glanstaetten, Ferrari’s media rep, points to the eye-catching F12 TRS, a customisable one-off make, featuring a design which seems to originate from a distant future. This Spider is the brainchild of Ferrari design director Flavio Manzoni. He removed the acrylic glass covering from the V12, enabling the engine at the cut-off hood to be fanned by the wind.
The second day takes the Cavalcade up the ski resort of Monte Terminillo, a splendoured massif of deep valleys, lush vegetation and the quite literally breathtaking 1,900m-high Sella di Leonessa mountain pass, before going down again into the quaint towns of Assisi and Perugia of Umbria.
Day three sees the century of Ferrari drivers enjoying the charms of the medieval hamlet of Ronciglione and scenic Viterbo. Finally, the symphony echoes around the FIA-approved track of Vallelunga, with each participant attacking the circuit at full speed. The charge for the Eternal City’s walls beckoned on the last stretch, which involves a marathon ride past world-famous landmarks such as Piazza Venezia and Villa Borghese. Lunch takes place at the papal summer residence of Castel Gandolfo before a grand gala dinner at Trajan’s Markets. An auction of Ferrari memorabilia raises €200,000 (RM 900,000), with proceeds going towards the establishment of two museum areas at the forward halls of Trajan’s Markets.
Enveloped by an undeniable aura of history, grandeur and the pomp of the 2015 Calvacade, it was the sort of evening which prompts a participant to describe his experience, with some awe, as being among “really blessed cars in a blessed surrounding”.
