Abu Dhabi: The connoisseurs among the UAE's automobile enthusiasts converged at Al Tayer Motors Showroom on Shaikh Zayed Road in Dubai Saturday to participate in a Ferrari procession to Abu Dhabi.
More than 70 Ferraris left the showroom — the F355, F430, Maranello and the F612 Scaglietti among them — and headed out to the new circuit at Al Yas island to commemorate the inaugural Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix.
Leading the way, behind a Dubai Police escort, was none other than Paolo Dionisi, the Italian Ambassador to the UAE.
"This is a great event and I'm so proud to be car number one. I hope everyone makes it to Al Yas island safely and I hope Ferrari wins tomorrow."
The convoy proceeded at a steady 60kph out of Dubai, but one could feel the drivers' itching to bring the wild Italian stallions to life and indeed the speed picked up to 120kph once it had crossed into Abu Dhabi.
The convoy also showcased Ferrari's latest masterpiece, the California. Ilona Kamperman, the owner of the new car, was ecstatic to learn that the key to her metallic sky blue beauty was waiting for her at the dealership yesterday.
"It was such an amazing surprise, I really didn't expect to get it in time for the drive today, everybody from Al Tayer kept it a secret. I was overwhelmed," said Kamperman, whose husband happens to be the president of the UAE Ferrari Owners Club.
"The California is just beautiful. With Ferrari it doesn't matter if you've driven one before, each one you drive is a new experience, it's exciting, it's wow, it's great, I love it."
Making their way to the Abu Dhabi Corniche, the drivers stopped for snacks at the Poltrona Frau Design Centre, the company that does the interior work on all the Ferrari models. Participants were thrilled when Ferrari F1 team driver Felipe Massa made a short appearance at the showroom.
A few more Ferraris joined the squad, bringing the total to 90 supercars, as the convoy made its way along Corniche road to Al Yas island. On the way, two other supercars made a guest appearance, a black Lamborghini Murciélago and a blue Pagani Zonda.
On entering the Yas Marina Circuit complex, the 90 Ferraris suddenly seemed tame compared to the sound of the F1 engines roaring around the Abu Dhabi course.
The procession wrapped up at the new Crown Plaza Hotel where participants enjoyed refreshments before spending the rest of the day watching the F1 cars doing their practice laps.
All of the participants will also be guests at the Evening At the Races, an event organised by Ferrari at the Yas Hotel, where the Chairman of Ferrari, Luca di Montezemolo, will be present with the seven-time World's Champion Michael Schumacher, the Scuderia Ferrari drivers Kimi Raikkonen and Gianfranco Fisichella as well as the Vice-President Piero Ferrari, son of founder Enzo Ferrari.
