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FEATURE
Prancing Horse Ferrari Drive Day
If you've always wanted the chance to drive a Ferrari, but find yourself strapped for cash, Prancing Horse has the solution to your problemPrancing Horse Ferrari Drive Day
Yarra Valley, Victoria
Yarra Valley, Victoria
Even as a motoring journalist the chance to be a “Pilota Ferrari” for the day is a rare treat. Joining the crew from Prancing Horse recently, we had the chance to sample some of Modena’s finest exotica through Victoria’s picturesque Yarra Valley.
Sydney-based Prancing Horse offers a range of drive programs it says extends the Ferrari experience to those for whom ownership is financially out of reach. Boasting a collection of six (soon to be seven) Ferraris, Prancing Horse begins the day in true Italian style, the briefing accompanied with espresso and cannoli.
Our drive day included three models to sample -- Ferrari California, F430 Berlinetta and F430 Spider -- across an 80 kilometre run through Melbourne’s north-eastern suburbs to Balgownie Estate for lunch. The abbreviated journey is atypical of the full Prancing Horse experience; drive days usually allowing 220km behind the manettino wheel.
The meticulously maintained pair of F430 models and their scintillating (360kW) V8 soundtrack barked and howled their way through suburban streets en route to Yarra Glen. The F1-style gearbox fitted to our Spider helped make the most of the short sprints to the state limit -- Ferrari quotes a 0-100km/h time of just 4.0 seconds.
Rear-engined cars like the F430 command a certain respect when driven at pace; older models usually requiring finesse to punt accurately through fast winding roads. Once you have a feel for the car, however, this altered balance becomes quite instinctive… A sensation highlighted when changing over to the mid-front engined California.
Arguably the most attractive of our trio, California’s engine layout was a first for the Italian marque. The 4.3-litre direct-injected (338kW) V8 and its flat crank creating an entirely different acoustic to the F430. It’s evident the car’s engine tune, seven-speed dual-clutch transmission and more supple multi-link rear end are better suited to touring applications, though Ferrari still claim a 0-100km/h time of 4.0 seconds.
The stylish cabin and more modern equipment list is another highlight of the California. It doesn’t feel as dated as the F430, either. Regardless of any personal preferences in sculpture or performance, it’s clear both models attract a lot of attention – especially when driven in convoy. Our ride was punctuated by admirers surrounding the cars with camera phones while re-fuelling at the local Shell servo.
“We’ve been operating since September 2008 and have had well over 3000 guests participate in our drive programs during that time,” explained Prancing Horse’s business development manager, Matt Thio.
“It’s all about delivering the Ferrari experience to people who can’t usually afford to buy one. Our philosophy is to offer guests a collection of different Ferraris to drive for the day or a weekend. We usually run along the NSW south coast, but have recently begun offering the program in different locations around Australia as well.”
Prancing Horse drive days start at $990 for drivers (you must be over 30) and $770 for passengers and include photography and video of your special day, breakfast and lunch. Available vehicles include Ferrari California, F430 Berlinetta, F430 Spider, 360 Spider, F355 Spider and 328 GTS. A 458 Italia will join the fleet shortly.
For more information, visit http://www.prancinghorse.com.au/
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Written byMatt Brogan
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