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On Tuesday March 14th we met at the Kernersville Sagebrush off Business I 40 and exit 14 for our monthly rendezvous. We had a fun group and six Italian cars in the car park. Steven Jones drove his Ferrari 328 GTS, Tim and Susan Simmons drove their Alfa Romeo Spyder CE, Dan and Teri Emmi drove their Ferrari Testarosa, Kevin Harper drove his Alfa Romeo GTV6, Beth and Bob Snow drove their Ferrari 348 ts, Jim Clarkson drove his Ferrari Testarossa. John Hauser, Thor Mirchandani, Dick and Jane Shaler and Jack O’Brien arrived in non Italian livery.
Motor sports was on everyone’s mind. Ferrari’s first and second finish at The Melbourne Australia Grand Prix was an early focus of the conversation.
This weekend March 18 we will be rallying at the Benito Juarez Rally . Last year we took 1st and 2nd. Thor and Amy in the Ferrari 365GT came in first and Bob and Linda Wright in the Alfa Romeo Guilietta Spyder came in second! The 8th Annual Benito Juarez Rally will start with a drivers-navigators meeting at Noon in the parking lot of Out West (not sagebrush) Steakhouse on Highway 66 in Kernersville between I 40 and Business I 40. After the rally the Triad Austin healey Club will host a Mexican feast.
The Stock swap between GM and Fiat and the announcement of Alfa Romeo coming stateside was a big morale booster. We also celebrated first time Corsa Rossa attendees Dick and Jane Shaler and Kevin Harper. Kevin has a number of Italian cars including a Maserati Khamsin, a Lancia Beta and Scorpion and a slew of Fiats and Alfa Romeo GTV6 and Milano.
Dick and Jane Shaler have two Alfa Romeo GTVs an Alfa Romeo Duetto and an Alfa Romeo Guilietta 101 series spyder.
Dan and Teri Emmi reported on the MAARC Roebling Road Track weekend where they drove their Ferrari 328 and Alfa Romeo 164. They had a ball. Jim Clarkson who has attended in the past shared his experiences as well.
Thor Mirchandani took a poll and we have 15 people signed up for the MAARC Wine Tour in April. Registered are Tim and Susan Simmons in an Alfa Romeo, Teri and Dan Emmi in either an Alfa or a Ferrari, John and Carol in an MGA, Thor and Amy in a Ferrari, Bill Craig in an Alfa Romeo, Bob and Sandra King in a Porsche, Beth and Bob a Ferrari, and Steve and Miriam Karapetian in a Ferrari. We will want to leave Kernersville shortly after lunch on Friday to arrive in Charlottesville refreshed and ready for the festivities Friday evening.
Attending Peter Krause’s tech session were Dan and Teri in a Ferrari, Jim Clarkson and Blake Frazier in a Ferrari, Bob and Beth Snow in a Ferrari, and Steven Jones and Jason Fedler in a Ferrari. There were no Alfa Romeos in this blast to the east. Many thanks for the Emmis for organizing the drive, the Snows for hosting breakfast and Peter Krause for the tech session. Jim and Steve gave us a colorful recap of the Saturday outing.
Some changes in the "Corsa Rossa parc-fermee": Kevin Harper recently purchased Greg Dixon’s Alfa Romeo collection and Adam Berusch just had his Ferrari Boxer brought up to 370 horse power at the wheels. Jim Clarkson since our last meeting sold his Ferrari and bought a new one. John Hauser finally got a car that runs. Thor Mirchandani and Steve Karapetian are organizing a trip to the Ferrari Challenge May 7th and the Petit Lemans Series April 1st.
Ciao John Hauser
Saturday morning started out a little damp as rain the night before had left the street and air moist. A little water wasn’t going to spoil the festivities we had coming ahead. At around 7:30 am the 19th Blake Frazier and Myself met at Forgein Cars Italia in wait for the rest of the Corssa Rossa team. Within a few minutes Dan and Terri Emmy showed up in their 328 followed closely by Jim Clarkson in his NEW Testarossa (1988 and a half Red with Tan). I was there in my 328 as well. After a few cheerful hellos we all departed for the Snows house where a much-needed cup of coffee was waiting on us. We traveled the interstate towards Burlington on I40/85. This was my first time driving my car on the interstate with so much other traffic around. It is quite interesting the reaction the other drivers give you as they are passed up by 3 Ferraris.
We eventually made it to the Snows house where we where greeted by Bob, his wife Beth, son, and daughter in law with their new daughter. After a cup of coffee and more than my share of fruit an pastries that the Snow’s had provided Bob proceeded to show us into his garage where he is working on restoring a Ferrari 250 2+2. The car is mechanically finished and no is undergoing the cosmetic portion. Regardless of whether or not the car was in primer you could see how beautiful this car was and how much more so it will be once it is finished.
After a few minutes of catching up and talking about the day’s plans we parted the Snows house and proceeded to Krause and England for our day of adventures. Again as we got out onto the highway I was amazed at some of the reactions that we got from the other motorist. I especially remember this one fellow in Chevy Camaro that had a real hard time in being passed up by 4 Ferraris as we went towards Raleigh. He eventually realized that he had bitten off more than he could chew and settled in behind us for the duration.
Arriving at Krause and England we where greeted by Peter Krause, Bill and Wendy Djang as well as several other folks that had already made it before us. A couple from Raleigh representing Chubb Insurance was there as well and provided refreshments for us. There was a fast array of Danishes and juices, but just coming from the Snows there was little room left in the tank. Out in the parking lot where a fine assortment of beautiful Ferraris. There was Peter's Blue Mondial QV Coupe, my ’87 328 GTS, as well as the Emmy’s ’87 328 GTS, Jim’s 88.5 Testarossa, The Snow’s ’91 (I think) 348 ts, The Djangs 90 something F40, as well as Charlie Coursos ’97 F355.
The morning started off with Peter telling a little bit about how he personally got started in the business and how it has blossomed over the past few years and is now one of the very few well respected independent Ferrari Service Shops in existence. He also gave us an insight into the upcoming reopening of VIR and his personal views and hopes for the new racetrack. We then proceeded to be welcomed by the Wjangs and the FCA as well as a small presentation from Chubb Insurance.
We then proceeded into the main service area of K&E and Peter then gave us a quick tour of the different cars in the service area as well as what work was taking place on each of them. Next we proceeded over in the storage section of the shop where he had a vast array of very different cars in storage for various customers. The cars included an old 300 hundred series Ferrari front engined V12 very similar to the 330 GTC. Also there where several Fiat and Alpha race cars in various states of rebuild. Another very interesting car was an old Mercedes convertible that was recently shipped to Germany for a full restoration then returned to the states and it’s owner. I wasn’t able to remember the model or year, but I did snap a photo so as to fill in the blanks later. Also in storage was a mid 80’s Aston Martin, I would hate to know how may trees and cows were used for the interior. It was truly a beautiful car. Last but not least in storage was a 50s/60s Corvette racecar; Peter described the engine as sounding like M80s exploding in a barrel each time a cylinder combusted.
After we returned to the service are Peter brought around his Mondial. He explained the general operating procedures of the Ferrari QV as well as explained a little about how he came to own the car as well as some history of the car. Also Peter took the time to show us how someone had decided to “improve” the factory wiring in the car with some of his or her own. It showed how taking the time and doing it properly paid off a lot more than just “band aiding” the problem. Next he had the Emmys to bring their 328 around into the service area where he put their car up on the lift and continued to explain all the differences between the QV cars the 308s and the 328s and how the cars have progressed as well as any trouble spots a person may want to look out for. Then after we got finished inspecting the Emmys car, Bob brought the 348 into the spotlight. Peter then noted how the 348 had really been a big departure for Ferrari from a construction standpoint. He noted how all the earlier cars where of a tube style frame with transverse engine and transmission. The 348 on the other hand were a Monocoque chassis with a longitudinal engine and gearbox arrangement. This proved to be a great advancement in power and handling for Ferrari, but Peter also pointed out that it wasn’t a perfectly smooth transition for Ferrari. After looking at the design differences of the 348 we looked at the Testarossa and it’s completely unique design and all the changes that were made to the car through out it’s life as well as somethings a new owner should be aware of. One interesting thing about the TR was that Ferrari called it a “V12” even though it was a flat 12. Ferrari called it a 180-degree V12 and not a boxer. As we rapped up with the TR, the 355 was brought in for inspection. Peter went on to show us the design “improvements” in this the current Ferrari. He said it was the Ferraris of Ferraris for now and that anyone that could possible attain one should. I have to agree that it was one beautiful car, BUT I have never seen an ugly Ferrari. Mondial, 308, 328, 348,355, TR, F40 I don’t care I’ll take one of each!
Now as the day had slipped away it was time to return and I shook hands with some old as well as new friends and wished them well and promised to see them soon. I would like to thank the FCA, Chubb Insurance and especially Peter Krause for taking the time for making such a wonderfully interesting car even more so. I left the event with great hopes of thing to come this spring and summer with the fine following of the CORSA ROSSA.
Ciao! Steven Jones
We received the following letter from Russ Turner regarding the 'Fiat Conundrum'.
Very fascinating!! The steering wheel, at least the boss button, looks to be made by the 'Dino' brand of aftermarket steering wheels popular in the 70's. All Dino road car engines were dohc v-6's - is that what is in it? Although, I remember there was a Fiat motor that was based on the same block with different heads, not DOHC, but was not called a 'dino. I agree that the front is a copy - or a GRAFT - of the Pininfarina FIAT dino
spider. The subtle bulges over the front fenders would be hard to duplicate. The Guigiaro tag on the back also makes me think this is a grafted car. Will dig out my FIAT/Dino guide and do some research.
Very cool car.
Our group will once again attend the Hampton Roads Branch of the Mid Atlantic Alfa Romeo Club’s annual wine tour in and around Charlottesville this April 14th-16th. Call 1-800-786-5400 for reservations at the English Inn of Charlottesville. Our Group number is 041400 for the group discount of $68.50-74.50 for double occupancy.
In 1999 Thor and Amy drove a Ferrari and Bill and John drove an Alfa Romeo from Winston Salem. In 2000 we hope to have a larger turnout from Corsa Rossa.
Corsa Rossa will attend the annual hill climb in May. We will stay at the little Switzerland Inn on the Blue Ridge Parkway. For more information call Jack O’Brien.
Click here for more info and pictures from the 1999 European Car Festival!
Ciao! John HauserContact Steve Karapetian at (336) 766-1785 or leave a message in our online mailbox.