*In celebration of Ferrari's 60-year anniversary, Ferrari and a legion of owners from around the world took part in the Ferrari 60 Relay, spanning the globe and covering five continents. The relay, which kicked off earlier in the year in Abu Dhabi (site of the future Ferrari theme park) concluded in Maranello after traversing 43 countries in 148 days.
We tagged along for a portion of the North American leg, behind the wheel of a 2007 F430 Spider. Two large groups of Ferrari owners stemming from two major Southern California dealers eventually met up at the Rosenthal Winery in Malibu.
Throughout the relay, various participants carried a baton bearing 60 enameled symbols representing the most significant events in the company's history, from success at the Rome Grand Prix in 1947, victory at Le Mans in 1949, to six straight FIA Formula One World Champion Constructors' titles (1999 to 2004). There are also nods to specially produced cars over the years, including the limited-edition 2006 FXX.
The central theme of the event's finale was technological innovation. For the occasion, Ferrari assembled 60 of what it considers to be its most important innovations, ranging from advances in disc brakes, the electronic differential, and the F1 gearbox. The festivities also included a Concours d'Elegance, plus a series of events on the track, at the factory, and at the Galleria Ferrari in Maranello.
After circling the globe, the baton officially arrived at the Fiorano track on board a 125S, the first Ferrari ever built, with racers Kimi Raikkonen and Felipe Massa in the cockpit. Following the Scuderia drivers were 52 Spiders representing each market where the Prancing Horse is available today.
All told, some 10,000 Ferraris of virtually every model and every era participated in this monumental occasion, including pristine examples of the legendary 250 California Spyder, 250GTOs, F40s, F50s, Enzos, and even several examples of the ultra-rare FXX. Easily the largest amount of Italian automotive steel ever amassed for a single cause. During a leg at the famed Silverstone circuit, a Guinness World Record was achieved with the Largest Parade of Ferrari Cars.
If this is the way Ferrari throws a party, one can only imagine what its 75th will hold.-Robert Hallstrom