Red Experience! - The Original Florida Region Ferrari Club of America

17 years of dedicated service ...
250 Toney Penna Drive, Bay 5, Jupiter, FL 33458
Ph: 561.747.2407, Fax: 561.747.9541
Florida Redline 11
FERRARIS AT DISNEY
INAUGURAL CELEBRATION EXOTIC CAR FESTIVAL RAISES OVER $30,000 FOR MAKE-A-WISH
The first annual Celebration Exotic Car Festival was an overwhelming success, with great fun
had by all that attended. The event was held the weekend of May 22-23, 2004, in the Disney-built town
of Celebration, Florida, and more than $30,000 was raised and donated to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
The weekend started Friday, with many participants and their families arriving early to enjoy
the perfect weather and countless entertainment options and theme parks offered around the
Disney area. Exotic cars of every description flooded the streets and waterside boardwalk of the
quaint town center. Celebration is the quintessential “ideal American small town” envisioned by Walt
Disney decades ago, and was modeled on the actual original plans for EPCOT (“Experimental
Prototype Community of Tomorrow”) Dedicated in 1996, Celebration is now home to 12,000 people.
Its charming 1940’s America persona and waterfront town center, complete with brick streets and
sidewalk cafes and shops, made a perfect setting for the concours event.
After a day of fun at the parks, participants headed back to the elegant Celebration Hotel, and
started Saturday evening’s black tie gala at a cocktail reception and silent auction to benefit Make-A-
Wish. Sipping champagne and enjoying sushi, silent bids were taken on an impressive array of auction
items, including autographed Schumacher and Barrichello items, sports and movie memorabilia,
Formula 1 tickets, Pirelli Tires, electronic equipment, vacations, golf outings, artwork and jewelry.
The evening continued with a five star dinner, dancing, and entertainment in the hotels
main ballroom. A highlight was the live auction for a $20.00 bill, which to everyone’s amusement,
resulted in a bidding war between local Ferrari Maserati dealer, Onfrio Triarsi, and local Lamborghini
dealer, Monte Patterson. Ultimately won by Mr. Patterson (who paid $150.00 for the $20.00 bill!), Mr.
Triasi also donated his second highest bid to the charity. The evening continued with most everyone
crowding the dance floor well into the night.
The next morning, the peaceful quiet of the town was interrupted by the music of exotic car
engines. Over 100 cars participated in the concours, representing almost every Ferrari model
(from a 1957 410 Superamerica to two new Enzos), Maserati (including two stunning birdcage
race cars), Lamborghini, Aston Martin, Lotus, and an impressive gathering of Panteras and
DeLoreans. The streets and boardwalk lined with seemingly endless exotic cars thrilled
over 10,000 spectators that attended the event.
Judging was presided over by new FCA National Chief Judge Chris
Current and his wife, FCA Executive Director Pat, who flew down to the event from
Washington. Beautiful class awards were given to the winners, as they drove
their prized possessions up to the podium for all to see, Pebble Beach style.
Top honors went to Steve Patterson, who took home the
Exceptional Merit Trophy for his Ferrari F50 (which he drove
to the event from Naples,) and Wayne Nelson, who was
awarded Best In Show for his stunning 1957 Ferrari 410
Superamerica.
Presented by Ferrari Maserati of Central Florida, the
event was sponsored by Ultimate Motorworks, Aston Martin of
Tampa, Putnam Leasing, Cingular Wireless, McNally Homes,
TubiStyle USA and Parts Depot. The focus of the event, to
raise money for Make-A-Wish, was an astounding success,
and six Florida children with life threatening illnesses were
granted wishes because of the generosity and support of
the sponsors, participants, and the event committee.
Information, professional video of the weekend,
and advance registration for the 2005 event can be found at
www.celebrationexoticcars.com or by e-mailing event chairman
Jeff Ippoliti at cingular512@comcast.net.
by: Jeff Ippoliti
CONCOURS RESULTS AND PHOTOS
ON PAGE 17