VIDEO: F2003 GA at Ferrari Racing Days 2012

I have a little to talk about regarding my day of the Ferrari Racing Days event at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. But for now I have 2 videos completed to share. This is the Ferrari F2003 GA Rubens Barrichello chassis that belongs to F1 Cliente memeber, Bud Moeller. ENJOY!

FERRARI RACING DAYS CHAPTER 4 - 2011

Prancing Horse - White #2 599XX

Well, today I really don't have much to talk about as far as the event goes. I got stuck working Center Gate all day with no chance to get away except to eat lunch. However, at the end of the day I was able to get my day finished off on an extremely high note. I went and met up with the gentleman that I had met at the Infineon event and got the ultimate Ferrari F1 fans experience. He let me sit in the car! Oh man was I grinning ear to ear for the next several hours. THANKS FOR THE EXPERIENCE!

Me in the F2003-GA Rubens Barrichello Chassis

After winding down for a bit I was able to get dinner and go run around the paddock and see the Ferrari crew getting things packed up for the stuff to get shipped off back to Italy. I walked through the garges and did a favor for someone off of a website forum that had contacted me. I was asked to get a shot of each of the 599XX cars as well as the VIN plate for his records as an avid Ferraristi. When I finished I went back to a little relaxing. Then after 9:00 pm, J.Z. and I went back out to lock up the gates, garages, and Pit Suites. Of course I decided to bring my camera with me since I was unable to get any pictures during the day. Kind of bummed about that, but this made up for it. I went through and got some pictures of the 599XX's, Michael Schumacher #30 FXX and the F189, F2004, and the F2007 F1 cars. After getting all my shots, we shut off the lights, locked up all the doors, and put them all to bed for the night. It was awesome! Sitting there with no one around, looking at all the details of the 3 F1 cars, and admiring the details that went into these beauties. Absolutely Amazing!

After that is was off to finish locking the gates and then go get a shower and so I could be relaxed again for a good nights sleep. Now I'm off to get my pics downloaded. I'll add them in the next few days.

THANKS FOR READING MY FERRARI RACING DAYS EXPERIENCES!

Mick Fleetwood & Me

THE Michael Schumacher #30 Black FXX

FERRARI RACINGS DAYS CHAPTER 3 - 2011

Giallo Modena Prancing Horse

Today was another great day of Ferrari festivities. I started out my day at about 6:00 this morning. I got ready and started my work day getting the cars parked up until somewhere around 9:00. Spent some time doing my gate duties. After some time I had to go meet up with an acquaintance and get him into an area where he didn't have to park his car in the dirt. After he got situated I went back to my gate duties. I was pretty mu ch there the rest of the day after that. I did however get to spend some time on the pit lane watching the Formula One Ferrari's do their laps. Not just the pit lane, but right up against the wall at the front straight. It was an awesome experience. Now before I came over to the wall I had seen a gentleman wearing his FOG (Ferrari Owners Group) jacket, and since I know a few others from the group, I decided to introduce myself and chat for a bit. After a few minutes I decided to ask him if he wanted to get a little closer to the action. Well obviously you can't say no to that right? I brought him over to the pit wall so he could watch the F1 cars take off from pit lane. After a bit I decided to ask him if he wanted to come over to where I was on the Pit/front straight wall to see some action. Well needless to say, He was very happy. But, they were cut short due to one driver going off at one of the corners and beaching his car in the gravel. The gentleman was happy and it made me happy to know that he enjoyed it.

Me with Gianmaria Bruni AKA Gimmi Bruni

A little later I was able to go out for the photo shoot that Ferrari was doing on the Pit Row. I got a few decent shots of the cars, but they then brought out the drivers for a group shot. It was hard to get some full group shots since I don't have a wide angle lens. But I still took several shots throughout the shoot. The highlight for me was being able to have a small conversation with Gianmaria Bruni, a great Driver for Risi Competizione. He was very cool! I had seen him running around on Friday and decided I would try to talk to him. I also got to get a pic of the 2 of us. A great few minutes. Then it was back to the usual.

After coming back from my very late lunch, I went back to my gate and start the rounds over again. I had been watching one of my fellow volunteers and saw him bring a gentleman over as I had to the pit wall to get some photos of the F1 cars. The guy was happy. I then asked him if he wanted to come out to the pit/front straight wall to feel the excitement and fuel his passion. I didn't really ask him in those words, but that's how I feel when I am that close. He almost passed it up, but his wife had told him to go for it. So, once again, an excited spectator. I got him out to the wall and wee started watching and talking. Come to find out he had come down for a wedding and found out about the event and came out for the day. Then me, Mr. Nice guy tops off his whole trip. It's good when someone looks at you and tells you that they will never ever forget the experience. It was a great personal feeling to hear that from someone I had just met. I sure know if I was on his end of the coin, that someone would do the same for me and make my day.

So, to bring this day to a close, I am happy that I gave some spectators a bit more customer service than they would have ever have thought would even have happened. They're happy! I'm more happy to give that experience. Since it's late, I'm tired and need to get up early for last chapter Ferrari Racing Days. Pics to come later.

Almost Ready for the Group Shot

F2001 & F2004 on The Front Straight

FERRARI RACING DAYS CHAPTER 2 - 2011

Rubens Barrichello Ferrari F2003-GA / DRIVER - Bud Moeller

Well I made it to chapter 2!

I spent so much time Thursday getting my stuff packed, my music downloaded and getting my iPhone stuff updated that I didn't get to get until after midnight. Then I had to get up around 3:15 to get ready to be picked up by my friend who is my Director at the track so we could head out from town and arrive early to Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca for 3 more awesome Ferrari Racing Days. We got here about 6:30 or so and I immediately got my tent set up so I didn't have to worry about it later in the day. Once everything was set up and in place, I did the usual not so fun things to get the go-kart track set up in the paddock for the spectators to be able to spend at their leisure to have some fun while here for the day.

After the kart area was done it was finally time to eat. I was starved. I ate my usual bowl of Special K before I had left home, but it just was overdue to eat again. Once my hunger was satisfied I ran around for a bit. I ran into some past acquaintances and talk to some spectators that were just having a great time. Part of the reason I love to be here. Not only am I having a great time, but I know that the fans are having a great time as well. It's actually quite satisfying. I spent most of the day at different areas relieving other volunteers. I was able to chat with one of the Formula One car owners. He was ear to ear with happiness of his most recent ride. He had mentioned at the Infineon event a few weeks ago that he had just acquired a 2003 chassis. What a sweet ride it is. Besides his car, there are 5 other F1 cars here for the weekend. OH YEAH! My weekend is going to be awesome.

During my rounds I had Gil Campbell, the track CEO came and jumped on the back of my scooter for a ride to the Stewards office to get something, and the run her back to Turn 10 gate where they had been doing pace car rides. While there, I happened to get a chance to have a brief chat with Justin Bell. A very nice gentleman. Well, after spending some more time working various areas at 3:45 it was time for me to get to The Corkscrew to see and get some shots of the F1 cars. One great thing about being a volunteer here is that I can go through the fence and get the good close shots that the media gets to shoot. In 20 minutes I shot 586 pictures from 4 areas of The Corkscrew. It was awesome seeing these Formula One beauties come through. 20 Minutes went by like it was 5. To little time! I wanted more! But not today. I'll have to rty to get away for a bit on Saturday and Sunday.

I left The Corkscrew and went back to the Garages to see the F1 owner I have come to enjoy talking to about his awesome good fun. I showed him a set of pics that were not what he had wanted to do. He ended up breaking a little late and went off track up at The Corkscrew. HE laughed it off and enjoyed the shots. While there, I happened to notice a very tall gentleman that I had seen several times throughout the day. I leaned over to another gentleman and said, "He looks familiar! Who is he?" The gentleman imediately says, "It's Mac Fleetwood!" I was rather suprised, but thought yet once again, I never know who I will ever bump into here. It was cool! I spoke to him very very briefly. No Pics! No Autographs! Just a brief few words. Maybe tomorrow I'll get to get that pic.

My night has come to an end! Time to get a shower and get this grimy dirt off of me that seems to always get on you from the wind. More to come tomorrow.

Jacky Ickx 312 PB

Gerhard Berger Ferrari F189/640

Michael Schumacher Ferrari F2001 / Driver - Anthony Noble

Michael Schumacher Ferrari F2004

To see all of the days shots of these beautiful Formula One cars,

Click here -

http://razzi.me/albums/1056-f1-at-ferrari-racing-days-mazda-raceway-laguna-seca-may-20-2011

FERRARI RACING DAYS CHAPTER 1 - 2011

PIRELLI FERRARI CHALLENGE RACING TYRE

So why am I calling this one "Ferrari Racing Days Chapter 1"? Well I am because I can! But, seriously though, I am because I will be attending the next event in a few weeks at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. That chapter will be told when I attend that one. So for now, on with this chapter.

I have been looking forward to this event for months, and today the day has come and gone. It was an awesome day to say the least. I got up around 6:30 am and got myself ready to go. On my way though as usual I had stop to make. First stop was to take my wife, Cristy, to her friends house. They were spending the day in San Francisco. Then I headed out and got fueled up the car, stopped to grab a mocha and a cream cheese bagel, and a little cash for the toll bridge and into the event. Finally! The event was here!

599 GTO

I got to Infineon Raceway about 9:30 or so, and since I was alone, I started to get some pictures of the Horses in the Stable. Some mighty fine examples were there too. Several 458's, 430's, a few 360's, 355's, 348's, 308's and more. Only thing though, there was not the crowd that is normally at the event. Only about 50 or so cars. I didn't mind it though. Less crowd means easier opportunities to take some pics. I then met up with an acquaintance (Brian) and headed over to check out the garages. I then met up with an past workmate (Fernando) that I hadn't expected to see there. Only because he was to go on Sunday. Plans changed I guess! It was good to see him. Then I saw the stables. It was such a beautiful site to see. A much better example of horses filled the temporary stables. About half a dozen or more 599XX's, 3 FXX's, including the Black #30 that used to be owned by Michael Schumacher. Apparently he was forced by MBZ to sell it when he signed on. HIS LOSS! Besides those beauties, there were four fine examples of Ferrari Formula 1 history sitting there quietly waiting. A Gerhard Berger F189 Chassis, an F310B chassis, an F2001, and to top the lineup, an  F2007. I had the opportunity to first meet up with the owner of the F310B (Bud). This nice gentleman was there with his wife at his side and loving every bit of it. Then another past workmate popped up (Danny). The cars were then put through some test runs to get ready for the track. OH WHAT A BEAUTIFUL CHORUS IT IS! Then they were off for a run to stretch the legs of these beautiful horses.

F310B Steering Wheel

Once back in the stable, I met up with the F310B owner once again. I also got to meet the gentleman that owns the F189. While hanging around admiring the F1 beauties, Fernando came back around, so Danny, Fernando and his 2 friends, and I pretty much hung out for the remainder of the day. Fernando then realizes that he recognizes one of the drivers. It just so happened to be Marc Gene, the Ferrari Formula 1 Test Driver. So we go together with Marc and got a group shot. Now just to get that pic from Fernando. Marc was there to drive the F2007 chassis. After drooling for a long time in the stables, we then decided to get lunch. After lunch we stayed to one area of the track closest to the garages to get a great view of the cars hitting the breaks and running through the hairpin. After a while we went back into the stables to see the 599XX's and FXX's get ready for their run. ANOTHER BEAUTIFUL CHORUS! Then off they went. By this time Danny had left us, so Fernando, his 2 friends, and I went back to the hairpin. Fernando and I decided to stop in the empty garages and get some pics and video of the cars as they hit the breaks and go through the hairpin. Oh the site of glowing breaks! Oh so nice! After a bit we did actually get back to the end of the hairpin. That was where we stayed for the rest of the afternoon. We had too! The F1 cars came back out at 4:00. Well at least two of them did. Some not so good things happened to the other two in the earlier session that were not fixable today.

599XX's

FXX

By the end of it all, I was rather tired. Being in the sun a good part of the day was a drain. But man was it all worth it! I ended up getting nearly a thousand shots in one day. So to end this chapter, the day ended up being an awesome day. Now to wait a few weeks for the next chapter. If you want to see all my pics form the day, here is my album page - http://razzi.me/speedtrap73/albums

CIAO! For Now!

OH WAIT! I forgot! there were other cars at the event as well. The F430 and 458 Challenge cars. I'll talk about them in the next chapter. I will be there for 3 or 4 days, so I will have a lot more to talk about at that time. But, for now here's a pic.