Australia's premier classic car event, Classic Adelaide, has played host this past week (16-20 November 2005) to the largest collection of Ferrari cars ever seen in Australia with more than 100 cars covering almost entire history of the marque gathered for the event in the South Australian capital.

Included in the cars at the event were the Ferrari F50, F40, 208 GTO, 308 GTB, 250 GT Lusso, Ferrari 330 GT, 275 GTB, Daytona, and the Ferrari 275 GTC. The cars travelled to Adelaide from as far afield as the USA, Europe and New Zealand as well as from all Australian states and territories. The event saw this unique collection take part in both competitive and non-competitive events, along with a range of public displays that brought out tens of thousands of eager spectators who were able to have a close look at the unique heritage of Ferrari that was celebrated at the event. Classic Adelaide also enabled Ferrari fans to see two unique Ferrari 612 Scaglietti cars. One was the car that has just completed an epic 25,000 km tour of China, where it cross the Gobi desert and climbed the Himalayas to enter the record books as it set a new altitude record for two wheel drive cars. The second car previewed new Ferrari features which will become available in Australia in 2006, including carbon-ceramic brakes (CCM).

With Ferrari as the featured marque, this was the ninth event held in Adelaide since 1996, it not only attracted Ferrari cars but also people closely associated with the company, including former F1 Ferrari driver, Stefan Johansson, as well as motorsport legends who have battled Ferrari in their own careers, such as Sir Jack Brabham, Vern Schuppen and Peter Brock, as well as father and son team Jim and Steve Richards.  Ferrari was also represented by Mario Micheli, Ferrari Asia Pacific Manager, who included in his event duties navigating for Stefan Johansson in a Ferrari 328 GTS. "This is a remarkable event," said Johansson. "It provides the drivers with an event that is both challenging and highly enjoyable, what ever their car or skill level. For the spectators, I have never been to an event where they can get so close to the cars and drivers in such a warm, friendly atmosphere.
 

"Everywhere I looked I saw people loving the event and the cars. It comes as no surprise to learn that Australia is home to one of the oldest Ferrari owners' clubs, such is the interest and loyalty shown to Ferrari," add Stefan Johansson.

In total, more than 320 cars took part in the event, providing an unparalleled motorsport  spectacle. But more than that, the event pumps more than AUS$25 million into the local economy and creates more than 95 full time jobs, something that is recognised by the South Australian Government, which provides full support for the event, both in financial and public support. Every member of the South Australian government, from the State Premier down, turned out to spectate in the event, as well as Federal politicians. "Classic Adelaide truly brings alive South Australia's slogan 'Sensational Adelaide'," says South Australian Tourism Minister Jane Lomax-Smith. "With Ferrari adding a unique lustre to the event, it means Adelaide is the place to be in Australia for motorsport carnivals."