Ready for Walla Walla

You should not care about this but I will tell you anyway. The steering wheel surround from Ricambi arrived today. I will install it after work so I don’t have to drive the ghetto Ferrari to Walla Walla.

For the past few weeks I have been searching for a 355 Challenge. I have been unable to find any for sale. When I was looking for the 355 there were two or three for sale now none. Probably for the best. I don’t need to get all worked up about getting a Challenge car. Better to focus on the car I have, enjoy it for a few months then sell it and focus on finishing the book.

Installed the new surround this afternoon. It looks nice.

One of the first things I noticed about the car was all the scratches around the ignition. I have a few pieces of the interior to replace and even though I am planning on selling the car I will still replace them.

Which would you use?

I think when I sell the car I am going to hide something in the car. I mentioned this earlier but now I know what to hide and where?

I have to sell it

I was going to keep the car. I knew it was dishonest and not the best ending for the book, but I was going to keep it anyway. Why? Because, I like it. Sure, there are things I dislike about it but the dislikes shrink and grow transparent when I am driving it. What a great car. Still, it has to go at the end of my year with it. At first I had steeled myself, I wouldn’t get attached to it. Like when you were a kid and your dog had a litter of puppies. You knew your parents were not going to let you keep them. You knew you better not give them names, secretly identify a favorite. You did anyway. Same with the car. It’s got a name, it’s my favorite.

This experiment is supposed to be the Ferrari experience in a pressure cooker. Part of the experience is parting with the car.

New radiator is in. Drove the car home from service yesterday afternoon, warm sunny day, with a kid in a truck filming the car driving down the freeway. I understand why and honestly appreciate his appreciation of the car. I would have done the same at his age, I might even do it now. The repair was about $1450, not too bad for what was done. Certainly more than I wanted to spend on maintenance but reasonable for removing a radiator, overnighting a new one from somewhere, installing it and dumping in fluids. The professionalism, service, and attention to detail at Tonkin’s Ferrari service center is fantastic. They knew I needed the car ready for the trip on Friday overnighted parts and got it finished in time for me to, hopefully, get my steering column surround installed today. If not I drive a car that looks like I stole it to a Ferrari club event.

I like the Ferrari - but just

Minds function in interesting ways. I am, of course, assuming that your mind, my mind, most human minds function in pretty much the same manner. Last night I was entertaining thoughts that bubbled up out of the ether and into my consciousness. One thought was on the nature of liking or disliking something. It seems to me there are few things, people, or even ideas which I like or dislike completely. I may like some aspects of something but dislike others. I tend to say I like something when the aspects I like outnumber or are of greater importance than those things I dislike.

I believe this thought was brought about as I was considering my Ferrari experience lately, aspects of which I like others I don’t. As I was cataloguing my experience I began to have increasingly negative feelings towards the Ferrari or more accurately my decision to buy it. My catalogue had started with the negative items, repair costs, melting the steering column surround, imperfections in the paint, etc. Without conscious decision the more positive aspects of my Ferrari ownership began to appear. While considering the negative aspects of ownership one facet of my mind was planning the rapid sale of the car, estimating how much too ask and how long it would take to sell. As positive experiences filtered in that same part of my mind began the calculations on how to keep the car.

Ultimately, I decided I there is more I like about the car than dislike.

Ferrari needs a new radiator

The little drips of blue Kool Aid turned out to be from the radiator. Not from a leaking hose. It had a tiny crack in it. My first impulse, to be honest my second and third impulse as well, was to have the dealer smear some JB Weld on it or send it to a radiator shop to have it brazed. I resisted this impulse and Tonkin is overnighting a new radiator from somewhere. I spent a bundle of money on Ferrari stuff today. The radiator is about $1400 and the new steering wheel column is $300.

I hope whoever gets this car next appreciates all the repairs. At my current pace I will have replaced every part on the car.

Amazingly, I am below my estimate for repairs for the year. I expected to have some and mentally set aside some money to pay for them. If I keep to my initial plan I have about five more months with the car and my repair budget, judging from past performance, should be right on.

Steering Wheel Column

Last night Barb and I were talking about the Walla Walla trip. She was listing the things she needed to bring. It was a long list. I’m not sure where we are going to put it. The trunk on the Ferrari is not too small, it’s not that big either, it was not designed with road trips in mind. Unlike our Porsche there is no back seat. If it does not fit in the trunk there is no place for it. Going to make packing a joy.

Tonkin did not have the steering wheel column surround in stock so I ordered on from Ricambi. Hopefully it gets here before the trip to Walla Walla.

Driving Machine

Went for a short bike ride this afternoon. I have not been on my bike for two weeks, fighting a late spring cold which had taken up residence in my lungs. The ride felt nice and gave me a chance for some uninterrupted thinking. Riding is very meditative for me.
In no particular order I thought about organizing our house (current or future) so Max can stay with us more comfortably, the idea of a driving machine, the difference between my first day at the track and my second, and what I want in my next sports car.
The making our house work for Max is off topic so I won’t share my thoughts there. Several months ago I frittered away some time pondering the use of a Ferrari. Now I will fritter away some time pondering the idea of driving machine. Bear with me. I have five bikes. Two track bikes, two road bikes and one fixed gear commuter bike. The fixed gear commuter is probably the coolest. Old French frame, combo of Dura Ace and Campy components. Pick any of the bikes they are all wonderful. My favorite is a custom made track bike. It channels my thoughts directly into action. It is head and shoulders above my other bikes. A fantastic riding machine.

The Ferrari is that way. In many ways it seems like a partner, directly contributing to the progress around the track or down the road. Ferraris are lots of things to lots of people. For me, first and for most it is a driving machine. A thing, beautifully developed , for driving. Not driving for the purpose of getting from here to there but driving solely for driving. I have been thinking about the Ferraris role as driving machine for a few weeks. My thoughts gelled somewhat at the track. My second day at the track was more enjoyable than my first. I was more relaxed and it did not rain. I was better able to explore the cars boundaries. My first day on the track was a revelation, I did not expect to enjoy it as much as I did. I left my second day thinking I really want a track car. A car with fewer luxuries, fewer distractions, more sharp edges. I enjoy driving the Ferrari on the track more than I enjoy driving it around town.

So, what next? I am back to considering a track car. I might fudge a bit and get a Lotus or older 911, something I can drive on the road and on the track. What I am really interested in is a 355 Challenge. One of the 109 factory built cars. I think a 355 Challenge represents a good value, as Ferraris go, I know I like how 355s go around the track, and a car I can mess with.

As far as I know the 355 Challenge is the last Ferrari race car with a manual transmission. That appeals to a luddite like myself. Intellectually, I understand how paddle shifters would be faster around the track. I’m not looking to be fastest, I am looking for the most involved trip around the track I can get. I don’t know if I can justify the cost of a Ferrari that sits in the garage and only comes out five or 10 times a year to tear around the track. I will think about it.

Opps

After my success with the vent I decided to tackle the lower plastic piece that covers the steering column. It had significant scratches around the ignition, where previous owner had missed the keyhole and scratched the finish. I was expecting this piece to be pretty easy to refinish. The car is going into the service center tomorrow for a once over before the trip to Walla Walla but I figured I could have this piece refinished and back in the car by tonight.

Turns out that not all the interior pieces of a Ferrari want to be refinished. As I was removing the sticky stuff covering the plastic on this piece I thought “too bad it’s all scratched up in one place the rest is in very good shape.” Then it started to melt. This piece must have been made from some formulation of plastic which was different from the air vent. It melted. Not all the way, well, not all the way when I last looked at it. What’s more it melted onto my hands. Took about 5 minutes of good scrubbing to get it off.

So tomorrow the car goes in for service looking like I stole it. Hopefully they have one in stock or I will have to have an order rushed from Ricambi.

Post track day thoughts

I am ready to sell this car. That was my thought leaving the track day on Monday. Sure my brain was mush, I was scared to death driving on the freeway after leaving the security and sanity of the track, my reason for being ready (different from wanting) to sell the car had little to do with those feelings. I accomplished one of the things I set out to do when I purchased the car. Drive a Ferrari on a race track. After the Pro Drive day I was hooked on driving on the track but I did not feel like I “drove” the car on the track. I went around the track, I went kinda fast on the straights but I did not really drive the car. This time I drove the car. Room for improvement sure, tons of it. I am not saying I am competent or good at driving but I felt comfortable with my knowledge and ability.

I decided that unless I keep the car I won’t drive it on the track again. I don’t think I am abusing the car I just don’t see the value. I have a much greater appreciation for the cars limits and don’t feel the need to test them again. This is not to say I don’t want to drive on the track again. I am still interested in getting a track car but that’s another story.

With the exception of the parade lap I forgot to turn my camera on. I was disappointed to realize this as I would have liked to compare my performance to my first track day. Yes, the pictures of me passing other cars would be nice too.

Ron Tonkin Track Day

My brain is mush. Somewhere, at some point today I processed too much information and am now done. I feel tipsy and giddy a result of too much gas fumes, sun, brake and clutch fumes, and Ferraris. I can still smell that overheated brake smell in my hair. What a day.

Today was Ron Tonkin Gran Turismo’s track day. Absolutely, positively a blast. The Ron Tonkin Track Day followed the same format as a ProDrive day but with better food and fancier cars. I am not going to try to list the cars that where there. There was a sufficient density of Ferraris to cause an unbalance in the universe which will result in storms and a small but noticeable increase in the price of a barrel of oil. Seeing and hearing an F50 or a 430 Scuderia go by on a race track is a thrilling experience.

I felt more comfortable this time on. Not intimidated even when surrounded by 360s, 430s and a Ford GT. Well, maybe the Ford was a bit intimidating. Anyway I decided to work on being smooth and paying attention to Tony’s advice. I went faster this time. I passed other cars. I passed other Ferraris. I did not pass the Ford. The Ford passed me. Quickly. During our first session he passed me toward the end and I tried to keep up. Bad idea. Braked too late, got the car looser than I liked thought the chicane. Again, a lesson learned cheaply. During my first too sessions I went quickly. I will venture to say at times I went fast. For brief moments I explored the limits of grip with the car but only for brief moments. It was like being on a flat roof and walking slowly to the edge then slowly away. For my last three I focused on slowing down and working on technique. When and how to brake. Still don’t have that anywhere near right but I was doing better. Shifting into second in the chicane, and balancing the car on the right line coming into turn four. If you get the car set and turned properly you barely have to adjust the wheel thorough a series of turns.

I will say it again. If you like to drive get to the track and take a class.

Saturday and Sunday

Yesterday I went to a car show. Tomorrow I am going to a track day. Like I said, June if Ferrari month for me. The show was at Gran Prix Imports. I needed to get a helmet for the track day tomorrow and used being out as an excuse to take a nice drive to GPI. I got the wrong type of helmet. I knew it was the wrong type. I bought it hoping I was wrong. Nope, wrong kind. There were quite a few impressive cars at the GP show. It stuck me that most were exotics and most of the exotics were Lamborghinis. I have not been to a car show in some time and expected more hot rods. I guess this should not surprising as they are now the local Lamborghini dealer but I did not expect to see so many. There were several Porsches, Cobras, Aston Martins, and two Ferraris. My favorite car was a Panoz AIV Roadster. I have always liked those cars.

I don’t have proper car show etiquette. I am not really interested in chatting with owners about their cars. Sorry, but that just does not seem so interesting to me. That is not to say I don’t understand why people find it enjoyable but it’s not for me. I used my time to observe the flow of spectators and owner around the cars. When something impressive would show up, a yellow Lamborghini with a loud exhaust the crowd would flow in its direction. By and large people moved clockwise through the displayed cars. I wondered if they would have moved in a different direction if we were in the Southern hemisphere.

I spend Saturday morning installing the new interior pieces I had purchased. Took a bit longer than I expected but turned out really nicely.

Purity of Purpose

The vent turned out nicely. Now it’s time to shift my attention to the leather on the dash. As I was fiddling, I hesitate to call it working, on the car I was thinking about what appeals to me most about the 355 and Ferraris in general – purity of purpose. Sure Ferraris are a more bloated and luxurious than necessary but when compared to most other sports cars they represent a dedication to purity of purpose that is difficult to match. Lotus has them beat, offering the most focused sports car with a roof and windshield I have had the pleasure to sit in but Ferrari does a fine job of focusing all elements of the car on a singular purpose.
Why does this matter? In my opinion it is not possible to achieve something special, something great, without an unbending, maniacal focus on a clearly defined fully developed goal, the more pure the goal, the more maniacal the focus the better the result. When I think about the great Ferraris I think about cars which do not have carpet, cars without stitched leather dashes and CD players.

As Ferraris become more comfortable, easier to drive, more reliable they risk becoming Porsches or BMWs. At what point do luxury and drivers aids interfere with the core mission of the car? Ferrari, Lamborghini, and the other, smaller volume exotic car manufacturers occupy a unique niche in the automotive world. I think they are squandering their position and getting too soft. The 360 CS and 430 Scuderia should be the volume leaders for the company. They are the modern, non supercar, Ferraris many first time Ferrari owners want as their second Ferrari. Why, because they are the most pure representation of our interpretations of the Ferrari brand.

How to get a Ferrari

have a new, better, and true answer to the question of “How can I get a Ferrari.” A question I get asked more and more. Usually be young men, sometimes by folks my age or older. Here is the answer. Have an understanding spouse.

Money helps but if your spouse is against it you are out of luck.

Central AC Vent Refinishing Project

Sunday night I removed the center AC vent in an effort to get the leather dash, which was pulling up slightly around the top of the vent, to fit better. This project is a nice size for me. It’s also one of those projects you and pick up work on for an hour or two, then put down without inconveniencing anyone. Bigger projects, replacing our deck, remodeling our house, doing a bunch of yard work; I tend to need to work up a head of steam before starting. Big projects require planning, schedules, but most of all a commitment of time that makes me nervous.
I decided on a three step project for sprucing up the dash around the vent. First, remove the vent. Second, peak under the leather, determine what was causing the little dent in the leather above the vent and treat the leather. Third, replace the vent, changing its angle slightly so it sets evenly from top to bottom.

The first part of the plan went well. If you like to take things apart Ferraris are great cars. I bet you could disassemble the entire car with only a few tools, most of which you would find in your kitchen junk drawer. The vent came out with only a few minutes work. Once out I realized the gooey finish on the vent was pretty bad at the top and would not look good when I had the leather nicely tucked behind it. The goo has to go.

I checked Ricambi to see how much a new vent would cost. Took a while to find it, $433 for a new vent. Ouch. I did buy two interior trim pieces which were getting too sticky for my liking. As for the vent I decided to try refinishing it. I figured if I screw it up I can buy a new one or have someone with more talent refinish this one. At first I tried Goof Off. It did not do such a good job. It did make the finish gooeyer. Next I tried Acetone. That did the trick. Now my garage is full of rags covered with black goo. I know why Ferrari covered the plastic pieces with the gooey finish they did. The raw plastic is very cheap looking. Shiny black, looks like something out of a 80s Ford. I can imagine the conversation at Ferrari. “OK for the 348 were going to do something special. I know, a stealth bomber matte black finish on the interior pieces.” The supplier translates this to “It’s Ferrari, use the shiniest stuff possible” Ferrari folks get it back and say “Uhh that’s awful, spray it with some of the coating we put on the underside of the car.” There we have it.

When it’s not scratched up or sticky the finish is actually very pleasant. It has a rich, smooth satin look to it and does not reflect much light. I bought three cans of paint to see if I could get close. First try, a rubberized paint had the right texture but was too shiny. Second try, too gray. Third try, a pretty close match. I used the old ash tray housing I had to test paint samples. The third, a flat black model paint made by Testor was the best match. With a bit of sanding I don’t think anyone will notice.

The diversion with the vent has kept me from tackling the leather on the dash. I have two goals. First to attach the leather to the dash behind the vent, second to remove a ridge in the leather which runs in a gentle curve from the one side of the vent opening to the other. Many 355s have a similar ridge. I had thought it was a dent in the dash. Turns out it is the backing for the leather. It has shrunk or never reached all the way to the vent. I think I can fix it with a piece of backing cut to fill the space where the backing is missing. It helps to have a modicum of mechanical skills, some tools, a wife with sewing stuff when you have a Ferrari.

How do I get there?

When I was at RTGT for the F1 race there was a group of young guys, fifteen – eighteen, half my age who came into the parking lot and were taking pictures of the cars parked there, mine included. I have already written about this. I know they were thinking, “How do I get one of these? What did those old guys in there do to be sitting, surrounded by Ferraris, drinking wine, eating pizza, and watching F1?”

Imagine you are swimming in the ocean, against the current, trying to get to an island. On the island there are beautiful women, beer, chips, warm sand, beach chairs with cup holders. You make it to the island. It’s exactly what you saw when swimming. It was worth it to get here. Then you hear the music. Across a choppy straight is another island. There are beautiful women, fantastic wine, fois gras, and little cabanas. Hmm, I can make it there. Then there is another island. Even more beautiful women, private jets, 61 Lafite. It never ends.

Seats back in

While putting the seat back in the car last night I got to thinking about Ferrari maintenance, all the horror stories I have heard, and sticky interior plastic bits. Without a shred of scientific evidence and conjured out of the ether as I was putting one seat back in a Ferrari, the other refused to budge, my theorem is Ferrari owner complaints related to maintenance is at its peak when the Ferrari is between 3 to 15 years old and is concentrated in starter Ferraris.

What’s a starter Ferrari? A 348, Mondial, 355, and now 360s all relatively inexpensive when compared to their new price many now less than a nicely equipped BMW. I think people buy these cars with a few miles and years on them expecting the maintenance to be more or less like the Porsche or Corvette they were trading up from. And generally it is except that Ferrari maintenance is more frequent and parts a bit more expensive. So people defer maintenance until the car fails catastrophically or sell it just before it implodes. Let’s face it for many buyers, myself included, this is the first Ferrari they have owned and they had to stretch to afford it. When it comes time to maintain it spending $4000 or more every few years plus any other incidentals along the way push them over the edge.

I don’t recall hearing anyone complain about the maintenance on a 288 GTO, Enzo, or F40. My guess is they cost a good bit more than my 355 to maintain and probably require more frequent service. I hear very few 430 owners complaining about their cars but I bet in a few years the owners of those 430s will be whining about clutch prices, F1 gear boxes, and carbon brakes.
With even less supportive evidence I think it is the cars in the 15000 to 30000 mile range that have the most problems. It appears that many parts on the Ferrari were designed to last about this long. Most people don’t drive the car anywhere near its potential so maybe the part will last a bit longer but somewhere in this mileage range really expensive repair bills, when compared to the price the newbie Ferrari owner paid for the car, start to pile up.

Know what. I don’t think Ferrari cares. Ferrari did not build this 355 for me. They built it for the guy who bought it new. He owned if for a few years and sold it. He never had to deal with a belt change, sticky interior bit or cat ECU.

Yes, I know I was supposed to wait overnight or even a few days to allow the Leatherique to soak in but I couldn’t wait. Patience is not one of my virtues. I peeked under the plastic wrap around 9:00 last night and decided I had not used enough Leatherique. So I pulled the plastic off cleaned the seat up and put it back in the car. Well mostly, two of the bolts were not cooperating and I left them for this morning. I also treated the passenger seat in place and left it to sit overnight.

The seats cleaned up and softened up very nicely. They feel different, better, softer, buttery. I look forward to getting to take both out and give them a thorough treatment. I like the slightly darker, richer color the treatment left them with.

Why am I trying to make the Ferrari look new? It’s not new. I know it’s not new. Why is the patina of a bit of use not as beautiful as pristine new car? In many things patina adds character, texture, beauty. Why not in a Ferrari? If it survives to 100, outliving me, I hope the 355 has a nice patina. I hope it gets forgotten in a barn for a while so mice and raccoons can nest in it. Why spend so much time, effort, and money to make it look new?

The short answer is because I want to. Can’t tell you exactly. I get a lot of satisfaction from fixing some minute blemish on the inside of the fender. In a spot where no one would ever see it unless I ran over them and parked on their head. I was driving the car today and decided to replace all the sticky interior stuff. First I will do door latches and the piece in the central tunnel that holds the gate for the shifter. I know these pieces can be stripped and repainted and that stripping and repainting them results in a more durable piece, one that will never be able to trap an unwary fly but I am going to buy new, soon to be sticky pieces.

Wow Much Better

What exactly is a “good” use of time? With caveats a “good” use of time is using it to pursue an activity you find pleasurable. For me a good use of time this afternoon was taking the driver’s seat out of the Ferrari and conditioning the leather. Did it need it? Probably not but it was a nice excuse for Max and I to spend a few hours in the garage together. I had planned to take out both seats but the passenger seat is stuck in the furthest back position. I have posted a question asking how to get it un-stuck on Ferrarichat. I found 53 cents under the driver’s seat and am willing to split whatever I find under the passenger seat with the person who provides the best, right, or most entertaining answer.

I must admit to being a bit disappointed to find only $.53 under the seat. Sure there was some of the plastic sheeting that was put in the car when it was shipped but nothing interesting. I was hoping for a bag of dope, a Playboy, something interesting. I think I will hide something in the car for a later owner to discover.

I purchased a bottle of Leatherique and used it on the dash with some success. It does a nice job of restoring the leather. After seeing the results Kevin had with his seats I decided to do the same. Right now the Ferrari is sitting in the garage with only one seat and plastic wrap on the dash. I treated it again.

Taking the driver’s seat out was easy plus I fit in the car much better without a seat. Made me think pretty hard about putting a racing seat in as they take up a bit less space. With the seat out I rubbed a bunch of Leatherique into it. It noticeably darkened the leather. Looks much better. Before it looked less Bordeaux, more Pinot. I wrapped the seat up in plastic wrap and will let it sit overnight before I remove clean off any residue and put it back in the car. If I cannot get the passenger seat out I will treat it in place. It would be easier to do out of the car but oh well.

No dips of coolant to report. No, I don’t think it healed itself but without a drip or two it is hard to tell where it is coming from. I will keep an eye on it and plan to take the car back to Tonkin for a final once over before driving it to Walla Walla.

Tar Pit

I laud Ferrari for their ability to make each model of Ferrari its own thing while retaining a fundamental Ferrariness. All the Ferraris I have driven have obviously shared DNA. But why, why for over 10 years have Ferrari used interior pieces that turn to goo? The plastic pieces in my 355, interior door handles, switches, vents, shroud around the steering column, and ashtray lid are all covered with the rubber like substance that is trying as hard as it can to turn into the La Brea tar pit and my car is in good shape! I had assumed that the sticky plastic part was one of those little benefits for 355 owners but no, 348s get to experience it as well. Guess what, so do 360s. For some reason Ferrari continued to use the stuff through three model years. I would be willing to guess that 512s, 356, and 550s from the same years also benefit from this choice.

Why? It is obvious the first second you run a fingernail, button, cufflink, anything across this surface that it is not going to last. I am not sure how it works to improve the performance of the car. Why use it for so long? Does Ferrari own drums of the stuff?

Three events

Last week I was stopped by some road construction in front of our office. There were two flaggers stopping traffic. They were about fifty feet apart and there was a backhoe between them digging a narrow trench across the road. When I pulled up there was a line of six or seven cars waiting on the other side and only me on my side. The fellow holding the stop sign looked at the car, walked up and leaned over so he could read the hood ornament. He leaned over and read it again then yelled at his cohort across the intersection, stopped the backhoe and waved me through.

When I got to the parking garage our parking attendant thanked me for returning his car and said he would keep a good eye on it and chase away folks trying to take pictures of his car. When I left work that evening he had parked the golf cart he uses to by the Ferrari so no one else could park beside it.

When I was at Ron Tonkin watching the F1 race a group of kids came into the parking lot and took pictures of the cars parked out front, including mine. I have never parked the car somewhere and watched people’s reaction to it. It is a guilty pleasure to have a piece of pizza in one hand a glass of wine in the other and watch people gawk over your car. I thought about the kids taking the pictures. I am not fully sure how to approach this topic but at some level, in some way I have become one of those people I envied as a kid. Or better said, I appear to have the same stuff and lifestyle as those people I envied as a kid.

A really long post

Half way through my year with the car and it looks like June with be the most action packed month since I purchased the car. With so much going on I am going to try not to bore you with descriptions of trips the supermarket and moony love letters to the car.

I set some goals for my RTGT track day.

First, shift more. During my Pro Drive day Tony wisely had me leave the car in third for most corners and short straights. Towards the end of the day I was using second in the chicane. After reviewing the tape I think shifting into second for the chicane, and getting up to fourth before turn four. I also think shifting up to fourth before turn seven would help. About 100 feet before the braking point for each turn I run out of gear. Shifting to fourth will add complexity and make it more difficult, for a rookie like me, to have the car balanced before the turn but I think it will be more fun and ultimately faster.

Second, brake better. When braking for turns I start off lightly on the brakes then press harder as the turn approaches. Almost exactly backwards of what I should do. My goal is to brake hard, hopefully the right amount, and get off the brakes quickly. No gradual increase of braking with a gradual decrease.

Third, faster through the turns. I know I left plenty of speed on the table going through the turns. I want to get faster through the turn four to turn seven section of the track.
Fourth, drive more smoothly. I think I am a pretty smooth driver. I don’t bang the car around. I am, relatively, gentle with the gear box and clutch. I want to be better. Shifting more will give me more chances to practice and keep engine speed a bit lower.

During the RTGT day I will have an instructor and having some defined goals will give us something to work on above and beyond just getting around the track.

Different subject

When I first drove the Lamborghini Gallardo I thought it was the most impressive car I had driven. Frankly, it blew me off my feet and was the car I wanted next. Now I find myself changing my mind, focusing on the aspects of the car which are not so stunning. I have become a Ferrari bigot.

I am not so sure this is a good thing. I was a Porsche bigot up to about seven months ago, still am in many ways but I realize the joy of discovering and experiencing other cars. Keep in mind I kept my last car for 12 years so this is new territory for me. Owning the Ferrari has been and I expect will continue to be a fantastic experience. If I had more space and more money I would keep the car and apologize at the end of the book. My hunch is most readers would understand. I don’t have the space and am too thrifty to tie up that much money in cars. I say that much money because I know there are other Ferraris I want to get to know. Driving Kevin’s car this weekend only served to reinforce this goal.

Before deciding to buy the Ferrari I was toying with the idea of getting another Porsche. A coupe, preferably a turbo and probably a 946 Turbo, yes I am a luddite who fears change. Now I have the Ferrari and my focus has shifted to another Ferrari. Why not sell both cars and buy a Lamborghini? Would I become a Lamborghini bigot? The wanna be sophisticated Ferrari owner part of me says no. Lamborghini lacks the racing heritage of Ferrari and Porsche. Their image is too hairy chest and gold chain for me to become wrapped up in the brand. Worst of all they are owned by Audi. Audi, a giant corporation that makes station wagons and SUVs. How can a company making a station wagon also make an exotic car? Truth be told, it would probably take me two or three minutes to become a card carrying member of the Lamborghini tribe. I could borrow a gold necklace from Barb and buy her some tight white jeans. Besides Fiat owns Ferrari and Fiat makes a wagon, good looking and Italian but a wagon.

I have done a great job of convincing myself that Ferrari represents the pinnacle of motoring perfection and now have a difficult time imagining myself owning a sports car not made by Ferrari. I wonder how many Ferrari owners bought a Ferrari then stayed, to steal Kevin’s term “in brand” for the remainder of their sports car purchases? I can see myself doing the same. With few exceptions, Pagani, Koenigsegg, Saleen, I view other marques as inferior to Ferrari.
There are benefits to totally immersing yourself. You stand a better chance of really understanding your subject. Accompanying a commitment to a person, sport, school, church, whatever is the luxury of making large investments of time and resources to ensure the success of the relationship or endeavor. Exotic cars are no different. Well, exotic cars are no different for the enthusiast. I am sure some people buy these cars with no intent of them being anything more than a fancy toy or really expensive commuter. Clearly, that is not my case, nor the folks I have met during my time with the car. With the Ferrari I have established a relationship with the Ferrari Club and some members. At first I was hesitant to invest much time and effort into this relationship. As with most things you get back what you put in. Going to the F1 races at Tonkin, signing up for the Walla Walla trip required an investment of time and effort on my part. Even though I did not buy the car from them I have established a relationship Tonkin and really come to like the folks there.

I am just beginning to understand the eccentricities of the 355. Catalytic converter ECUs, SLOW DOWN lights, leather dashes, dingy shift knobs, sticky interior bits. If I let myself I could spend all day researching the car, figuring out how to make my seats softer or dash lights work. In just a few months I have invested a big chunk of time and mental effort and developed a pretty good corpus of knowledge about Ferraris, specifically 355s. Not much of this knowledge or the relationships I have developed translate to a Lamborghini.

Sure I could develop a competency around quickly assimilating the n+1 number of salient tidbits of esoteric knowledge that provide their owner with the glow of an insider but what to you get out of that. Tourist in Ferristan again, if the goal is to own a bunch of different exotics then why bother knowing more than how to drive them and where to go for service?

On to a different subject

The Ferrari is leaking a few drops of what looks like blueberry Kool aid. I have yet to taste test it but given the location it is coming from I doubt someone set a cup of Kool aid in the car and it is slowly dripping out. That’s one benefit, or detriment, to having a white tile floor in your garage. No drop, no matter how small can be ignored. Since the Ferrari is the only car to ever have parked on its side on the new floor I can’t blame it on Barb’s minivan either. It appears to be only a drop or two per day but this afternoon I will take a look. If I can’t find and fix the problem back to Tonkin we go.