06 Aug 04
If ten years ago you had asked me what my adolescent fantasy was, I would probably have told you a Ferrari, an empty racetrack and a supermodel. It was good, clean, clichéd stuff, but on a summer's day in France this year, it very nearly came true.
I arrived at the Magny-Cours circuit in central France to join Club Fiorano, the exclusive track day company established by Ferrari UK and ex-Grand Prix winner Peter Gethin. I was to pose as a Ferrari owner and to sample the exquisite delights of the 360 Challenge race car on the tight, technical circuit that recently hosted the French Grand Prix.
Gethin is now in his early sixties, but he retains the easy-going charisma of the man who won the 1971 Italian Grand Prix at an average speed of 151mph, and who by all accounts was something of a hit with the ladies. Over breakfast, he explained the club's philosophy. "We established the club five years ago because we wanted to give UK-based Ferrari owners something more. It's our way of saying thank you for buying a Ferrari, and of helping customers to make the most of their cars."
