by Caitlin Rohan
Some people love cars, but the Cagli Scuderia Ferrari Club seems to possess  a more intense interest than most car enthusiasts.
"My love for Ferrari is the same feeling as being in love with a woman: it is passionate," says the Cagli Ferrari Club President Da-Rin "Pol" Apollonio.
Franco Francogli, a lifetime Cagli resident and fellow Ferrari Club member agrees, excitedly expressing his interest in Ferrari. "Ferrari is my passion," says Franco.
Even though these men may be passionate about Ferrari, only four of the total 55 members actually own one of the cars because Ferraris typically cost 300,000 euro, or about $360,000. Some members have had the chance to drive one. "Driving a Ferrari is not an easy feeling to describe," says Pol. "I felt excited but scared at the same time because I went so fast. As soon as I stopped, though, I wanted to drive one again."
 Pol, who works as a mechanic five days a week, drives an Audi every day. "I would do anything, even give up eating, to actually own a Ferrari," says Pol. Although many Ferrari club members would like to own the car, their interest is defined more by a common spirit and sense of community.
It is appropriate that red, the color of passion, is the main color of Cagli's Ferrari Club. The club itself, situated on an otherwise nondescript unpaved back street of Cagli, exudes enthusiasm and vigor. Large red Ferrari logo flags decorate the otherwise blank wood-paneled exterior. Inside, countless carefully constructed model Ferraris line the shelves. Red ribbons decorate the club's wooden walls. There are shelves lined with Ferrari books, and a section dedicated to Enzo Ferrari, the creator of this beloved Italian car. Several plaques and trophies from various events that the club attended gleam from the far wall.
A television broadcasting a car race stands as the centerpiece of this room, and the  VROOOM sound of furiously fast Ferraris serves a subtle soundtrack. The men themselves are bedecked in red: Pol sports a red Ferrari vest and red sneakers. Franco dons the red Ferrari cap and lanyard. When asked what color their dream Ferrari would be, both men fervently answer, "Rossa! Rossa!" "Red! Red! Always red!"
Enzo Ferrari, created the first Ferrari in 1929 while racing Alfa Romeo cars. Ferrari never intended to create race cars, but his Scuderia Ferrari, which literally translates as "Ferrari Stable," or figuratively "Team Ferrari," struck a certain chord with the Italian people that still sounds today. The current Ferrari logo includes the red, white and green of the Italian flag, the word "FERRARI" and a prancing, excited horse. "Ferrari means Italian," says Pol. The horse on the emblem honors an Italian flying ace named Francesco Baracca who lost his life in World War I. The vibrant black silhouette of the Ferrari horse also represents the popular belief that a horse on the hood of a car would always guide its driver to victory.
 The Cagli Ferrari club was founded in 2000 because, as Pol, the founder, says, "Ferrari is in my DNA, my blood." Today, the club boasts members ranging in age from about 30 to 60 years old and includes a number of women. The club is always trying to spark the interest of younger people. "To be a member of this club you just need to love engines and love Ferraris," says Pol. Although the intense admiration for Ferraris didn't run in either Franco's or Pol's families, Franco says that his son is now very interested in the cars.
The Ferrari Club's main chapter is located in Maranello, Italy, also home to the Ferrari factory, with existing chapters in some surrounding towns, such as Pesaro. There is also a museum dedicated to Ferraris in Maranello. Although Italian Ferrari clubs exist worldwide, they are most prevalent in Italy. The Cagli chapter often meets with other chapters from around Italy for a dinner in their club or a restaurant.
Although a love for Ferraris is not restricted to Italians, the fans of this car seem the most fervent and dedicated in Ferrari's mother country. The Cagli club loves both old and new Ferraris. The members think that the new cars function and perform better, and can reach higher and faster speeds. The older cars represent history to the people of Italy.
Although there are many other Italian-based cars, such as Fiats, Lamborghinis, Alfo Romeos and Maseratis, Ferrari is the only brand of car for which this type of club exists. Franco and Pol think that Ferrari is a unique car because Enzo Ferrari had a great passion for engines and speed. Both men said they think that Ferraris represent Italian pride around the world.
The Cagli Ferrari Club does not exist solely for the members' shared love of Ferrari cars. The club collaborates with other Ferrari chapters to participate in community service. For example, the club has traveled to Ancona in the south of the Marche region to visit and cheer up a young man handicapped in a car accident. This fall, the club will hold an event to raise money for children with leukemia. The members hope to raise funds that benefit hospital stays and housing for parents of sick children. The Ferrari club also participates in fundraisers and social events and would like to collaborate with other organizations and authorities.
 Every July, the Cagli Ferrari Club hosts its annual pinnacle event in Cagli's Piazza Matteoti. On this day, 80 of the shiny metallic beauties line the antiquated paving stones of the piazza, meshing an old and new Italy. The event is not merely a car show but a chance to integrate Cagli's history and culture with an updated symbol of modern Italian and Cagliese culture. The Ferraris line the piazza while visitors learn about unique aspects of Cagli: its churches, history, families and traditions. After the event ta kes place, the brigade of Ferraris will move to neighboring towns for the same melding of age-old Italian tradition with newer Ferraris.
By intertwining its love of Ferraris with community service, culture and other activities, the club sees itself as an essential part of Cagli. The members of the Scuderia Cagli Ferrari Club have a contagious enthusiasm for cars, the Cagli community and Italian life that is conveyed through their passion and generous actions. "The club exists to meet with fans and friends who have the same ideas, goals and passion for Ferrari," says Pol. "To be a member you just have to have a genuine love of Ferrari." |
