On the way to the Hungaroring a Ferrari F430 overtook our car. Then an other one. It seemed we were all going to the same location - the Hungaroring, where the first Warm Up Day had been organised this year, by the Warm Up Ltd. Alessandro Lippi – the managing director of official Hungarian dealer of Ferrari and Maserati marques had invited us to the gathering. By the time we arrived, the Warm Up Racing Team’s F430 Challenge model – the star of this glorious day – was standing in the pit lane, waiting for the proceedings to start. Gabor Grigalek one of the team's pilots was waiting for the visitors, standing beside the beautiful new racing car. He and his colleges were very proud of their first race in the Ferrari Challenge at the Monza circuit, because they had gained one point. This was a perfect result from this brand new team.

Some meters away from the stunning new red-and-white racer, a string of Ferrari road cars were waiting for the exciting program of the day to get underway. Near to the flame-coloured 612 Scaglietti the guests admired the newest pride of the Maranello factory: the 599 GTB Fiorano, and close up to it we could also see the F430 Coupé and 512M. This last example - owned by Mr Lippi - was the last model fitted with 180° V engine. Practically, this is the brother of the Testarossa. At almost exactly 9 o’clock in the morning a string of beautiful models arrived one by one at the Hungaroring: the 575M Maranello, F430, F430 Spider and several Maserati Quattroportes. In addition to the new road range some real delicacies also arrived. Firstly, a red Testarossa model arrived, the Ferrari model which had not been overtaken by other sportcars in the 80s. Telling the truth this was ever not an official racing model, but it could have been, thanks to its excellent stability and its 4.7-litre V12 engine.

After the compulsory service and registration the Warm Up Day was opened. The colleagues of ClubRadio had organised the official program, which promised several special events for pilots and visitors. After Mr. Lippi’s welcome speech Sandor Janosi - another pilot of the Warm Up Racing Team - lined up at the start before blasting off to take in some laps on the track, behind the steering wheel of team's F430 Challenge.
 

During this time, the Hungarian Ferrari owners' who had been turning up had warmed up the engines of their cars, because the speed-trial was about to get underway. The lap times had been registered by the telemetry on the home straight and after 1-2 warm up laps the qualifying rounds began. We could all see many exciting laps, and because of the similar car qualities the victory would depend on the pilot’s skills. It was good to see that the older Ferrari models could stand their ground amongst the newest models.

During the acceleration race the professional pilots – Janosi and Grigalek – circled the Ring in the F430 Challenge with one at a time the visitors sitting on the right hand side seat. After it, the waiters of a famous nearby hotel served several special Italian foods in the pit area. After the delicious dishes the slalom race began. Reassuring to know that who had bought a Ferrari could also drive it. Ending the slalom race the whole Ring track closed leaving the way clear for the F430 Challenge-show to start. Both pilots drove 5-5 laps, producing better and better times, lap after lap.

After the last timed lap the Ring opened again for the Ferrari owners and the joy-rides began. The guests could also meet up with the 125cc World Championship leader, Gabor Talmacsi who is from Hungary. It seems Talma – as everybody calls him – will be a regularly returning guest of the forthcoming Warm Up programs. First he had sat on the right-side in an F430, just observing, then he tried driving the F430 Challenge racing car. Warm Up Ltd also revealed that they plan three more events for Hungarian Ferrari owners' during this year.

by Zoltán Király