Ferrari Club of America Annual Meet

Colorado Springs hosted by the Rocky Mountain Region

July 5th - 9th 2000

Article and Photos by Tom Brockmiller

Our stalwart leaders Tino & Lyn Mingori with their 275, guided Gene & Susan Zettle (center) and author halfway across America to participate at the FCA Annual Meet in Colorado Springs.

To say that there is beauty in them thar hills is a gross understatement. Three cars participated in a drive from Southern California to Colorado Springs. Our leaders Tino and Lyn Mingori (275 four cam), Gene and Susan Zettle (TR), and yours truly, Tom Brockmiller (512TR), left on a four day tour covering 1200 miles through the most beautiful southwest territory. We saw the Grand Canyon, Monument Valley, Durango, Continental Divide, Crested Butte and into Colorado Springs on the 5th of July to participate in all the festivities created by the Rocky Mountain Region at the historic Broadmoor Hotel.

What a trip and what a location! Truly exhilarating - and it wasn't the altitude, but they did warn us. Only the cars complained for lack of oxygen.

Just a quick review for those of you who have not attended a FCA National event. Wednesday is pre-registration and the Mercado opens with lots of vendors selling Ferrari related items. There is a pre-concours seminar as well as a welcoming cocktail party. On Thursday morning the Concours begins at 9am and trophies are awarded by 3pm. Silent auction and cocktail party from 6 'til 8pm. On Friday the drivers meeting commences and school starts at the track at 9am.

Those participating in the road rally meet in front of the hotel. Judging starts for the participants in the Coppa Bella Macchina Competition. Mercado and silent auction continues and there is a cocktail party from 6 'til 8. Saturday finds us at Pikes Peak International Raceway viewing many vintage and contemporary Ferraris doing their laps. The Mercado has moved to the track and the prices keep getting better. Lunch is served as well. Ferrari of Denver is a jewel for supplying technical support for the entire weekend. There are no incidences at the track. Just a lot of fun driving a Ferrari on a professional track at your own pace.

Saturday night is our gala awards banquet at the Broadmoor. There are beautiful cars, the silent auction, handsome people and great food. Bob Smith tells us about his Annual event 2001 outside Dallas. Sure to be a great one. The awards are given for the winners of the Concours, the Coppa Bella Macchina and the Coppa Bella GT. Platinum, Gold and Silver and other special awards for significant recognition. Sunday is track day again and a kind of last day blues for it being all over but for the smell of exhaust and the roar of engines.

It's time to head<

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