Awake in Maranello after excellent night’s kip.
Team Ferrari get up early and nip round the main Ferrari sights for photos.
The rest of us get up at a normal(ish) time and all drive to the special Ferrari Fiorano test track for team photo.
James (Team Maserati leader) has blagged us all a private viewing at the Panini Museum. Matteo Panini (for t’is his name) made his fortune by travelling to Argentina with just a moped, selling 800,000,000 collectable sticky cards (i.e. pre-top trumps, you would recognize the logo) plus making the very best parmesan cheese. He bought the entire Maserati historic car collection when the company was in trouble in the 80s and now has an amazing set of cars in an amazing big garage. Maserati sent along a junior chap to guide us round the collection and tell fab stories for each car. Top bloke and way too good looking. He probably goes down well with girls. Bob takes a picture ‘for my wife’……………..
While we are there an old chap wanders in with his big Alsatian dog. He turns on most of the lights and wanders off again. Turns out he is Mr Matteo Panini himself. Top bloke.
Top job James!
Drive on for pictures outside Maserati. Just as we arrive a car shaped like James’ GT dives into the main gate but it’s covered in black plastic to disguise the shape….A new car prototype, or one that went wrong? We think it’s the new GT (like James’ soft top). Take lots of pics and off we go.
Drive on to Lamborghini which is nothing special. Just a big factory until one of their finest screeches up and shoots inside. Then, amazingly a big Lambo arrives covered in white plastic to disguise the shape. A new car prototype, or one that went wrong? Clearly the color helps the motoring press spies identify the car.
Drive on to Pagani which is not easy to find. Navigator number 3 (Ralph) proves his mettle by remaining calm under extreme pressure of being ‘lost’ but works the problem and finds the factory. However, Pagani were not impressed and would not even answer their door bell…………..
On to Bresia and finish the route. Sounds easy when you say it quickly. 1,000 miles of the most tortuous roads in Italy. Switchback mountain passes, crazy cities, busy Super Strader motorways and all in 34C heat was tough but also no problem. All chaps in fine form, all cars running spot on. No major health or mechanical problems reported.
What could possibly go wrong?
Can’t find way into hotel in Brescia, no signs! Eventually check in with a charming young lady. She reminds me of the old joke of a girl who goes to the doctor. He takes out his stethoscope and says ‘deep breaths’, she says proudly ‘yes, and I’m only sixteen’. For our younger readers an efficient and effective cardiovascular system is essential to long life and vitality.
The lift in the hotel is extremely unusual. It has a glass door but does not work. At least unless the young lady steps in with you and holds the button without releasing it, then the lift will move. She demonstrated the technique for me ('Sir, keep your finger on') and the lift moved up by a couple of feet and got stuck. After a few moments mild panic (on her part) the lift descended again. Phew! Ralph (viewing from the security of terra firma) thought this was great fun.
Another night out in Brescia and we are all a bit tired. Ralph is our Catering Manager and has provided affine selection of food all week; he maintains the high standard this eve.
NOTD? James was nominated for three instances. Driving for miles with his hazard flashers on, nearly being overtaken by a big white lorry and I can’t remember the third. Anyway, he gets the (now very smelly) hat.
Bed and zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.
Tomorrow off to the Mille Miglia museum for our celebratory stickers, then the DB Autozug train from Bolzano to Stuttgart. Don’t be late ‘cos we won’t wait.
Cheers
Peter
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