News April 2 2006

Ferrari kicks off 60th anniversary marathon tour

Ferrari has kicked off its round the world marathon relay tour to celebrate its 60th anniversary with Piero Ferrari, son of Ferrari founder, Enzo Ferrari, handing over the official baton to the first of hundreds of Ferrari owners that will carry it around the world.

Paolo Dionisi, Italian Ambassador in the Emirates, with Piero Ferrari and one of Ferrari’s most important clients in the Gulf, Saeed Al Tayer

The relay will involve more than 10,000 Ferrari owners and their cars of all ages. These will act as symbolic “bearers” of a specially commissioned relay baton adorned with 60 badges symbolising the most extraordinary events in the Marque’s 60-year history.

In his speech, Ferrari spoke about his father and his brilliant intuition in creating a marque that has become a symbol of Italian talent and exclusivity across the world. He also praised Luca di Montezemolo who has, over the last 15 years, returned Ferrari to the very pinnacle of the sporting and commercial worlds.

The launch of a special celebratory anniversary series of cars was also announced at the start of the relay. The series will consist of just 60 unique cars, each one linked to one of the 60 most important events in the Prancing Horse’s history, from the World titles won by Ascari and Schumacher to the launch of epoch-making models such as the GTO, the F40 and the Enzo, and also the people who have headed the company to the present day.

The relay baton symbolise Ferrari’s history and is topped by a platinum and diamond Prancing Horse made by Damiani. It also features 60 enamel symbols designed by the Intesta e D’Adda, Lorenzini, Vigorelli and BBDO advertising agencies, and by creative talents Alessandro Migliorini of Area Creativa, Marco Morosini, Enzo Naso of the eponymous studio and Wolfgang Seidl of Seidldesign.

Abu Dhabi was chosen as the start point for the relay – scheduled for 28th February - which after the Middle East makes its way across China, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, America and the whole of Europe – because of plans to build a major Ferrari theme park and motor racing circuit on the island of Yas in the most rapidly developing area of the Emirates’ capital.

Having left Abu Dhabi, the ‘runners’ of the first leg of the relay headed for Dubai from where they will drive on to Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Kuwait. The marathon relay will end at Maranello on 23 June, after visiting Australia in the first week of March for the Melbourne International Motor Show and going on to New Zealand the following week.

The participants in the tour will be received at the various Italian embassies in the countries they pass through en route to Maranello. Also on 16 June, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs will host a special ceremony at the Palazzo della Farnesina in Rome during which there will be a charity auction by Ferrari, the proceeds of which will be donated to children in need.

© italiancar.net 26/3/07