2007 Ferrari 60 Relay
(from Ferrari Press
Release) Marathon round the world celebratory relay officially
started in Abu Dhabi by Piero Ferrari after announcement of 60th
Anniversary car.
Maranello (Italy), January 29th 2007 - The marathon relay
celebrating Ferrari's 60th anniversary started this morning from the
Italian Embassy in Abu Dhabi at 10 a.m. local time. The relay will
involve over 10,000 Ferrari owners and their cars of all ages. These
will act as symbolic "bearers" of a specially commissioned relay
baton adorned with 60 badges symbolising the most extraordinary
events in the Marque's 60-year history.
Abu Dhabi was chosen as the start point for the relay - which after
the Middle East makes its way across China, Japan, Australia, South
Africa, America and the whole of Europe - as a result of plans to
build a major Ferrari theme park plus a motor racing circuit on the
island of Yas in the most rapidly developing area of the Emirates'
capital.
Having left Abu Dhabi, the protagonists of the first leg of the
relay headed for Dubai from where they will drive on to Oman, Qatar,
Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Kuwait. The marathon relay will end at
Maranello on June 23rd. The participants in the tour will be
received at the various Italian embassies in the countries they pass
through en route to Maranello. Also on June 16th, the Ministry for
Foreign Affairs will host a special ceremony at the Palazzo della
Farnesina in Rome during which there will be a charity auction by
Ferrari, the proceeds of which will be donated to needy children.
The relay was officially started by Piero Ferrari, Vice President of
Ferrari and son of founder Enzo Ferrari. In his speech, Ferrari
spoke about his father and his brilliant intuition in creating a
Marque that has become a symbol of Italian talent and exclusivity
across the world. He also praised Luca di Montezemolo who has, over
the last 15 years, returned Ferrari to the very pinnacle of the
sporting and commercial worlds.
The launch of a special celebratory anniversary series of cars was
also announced at the start of the relay. The series will consist of
just 60 unique cars, each one linked to one of the 60 most important
events in the Prancing Horse's history, from the World titles won by
Ascari and Schumacher to the launch of epoch-making models such as
the GTO, the F40 and the Enzo, and also the people who have headed
the company to the present day.
Ferrari embarks upon this 12 months of celebrations having just
ended an exceptionally brilliant financial year that saw the Company
post revenues of 1,447 million (+12.3% on 2005's takings) resulting
in a trading profit of 183 million (+17%) and 5,650 deliveries to
its worldwide dealership network, a new record.
The relay baton was designed and created to symbolise Ferrari's history and is topped by a dazzling platinum and diamond Prancing Horse made by Damiani. It also features 60 enamel symbols designed by the Intesta e D'Adda, Lorenzini, Vigorelli and BBDO advertising agencies, and by creative talents Alessandro Migliorini of Area Creativa, Marco Morosini, Enzo Naso of the eponymous studio and Wolfgang Seidl of Seidldesign.
Scheduled to open in
2009, the new Ferrari Theme Park will cover a massive 250,000 sqm
and will feature 24 themed attractions for all the family, including
a 70-metre-high G-Force Tower and a twin rollercoaster ride that for
the first time allows to race against each other. Moreover, go-karting,
rally driving and dune buggy tracks, and a vast array of food and
beverage outlets.
In addition to the Ferrari Park, however, the 2,500-hectare Yas
Island will also host a motor racing circuit, signature hotels,
apartments, villas, a wide selection of restaurants, a retail area
of about 300,000 sqm, golf courses, a water park, a tourist marina,
a hotel overlooking the lagoon and numerous food and beverage
outlets that will create a unique international tourist destination.
The Ferrari Theme Park project and construction, as well as the
whole Yas Island development is by Aldar Properties, and the total
investment for the Park is of around US$600 million.