Ferrari Club of America cruises into Kinston

Driving a high-performance red Ferrari was always a childhood dream for Marc McConnell of Kinston.

On Friday, Ferrari owners-including McConnell-met at The Bentley in Kinston en route to Beaufort for a weekend retreat. Last year, the club's North Carolina chapter members cruised through Kinston stopping at King's Restaurant for lunch.

"I offered to host the club today for lunch at my parent's bed and breakfast," he said. "Each region does its own event."

About 25 Ferrari vehicles from across the state made the trip to Beaufort this year, which included a tour of a military base, shopping, fine dining and horseback riding.

"I grew up dreaming of driving a Ferrari," McConnell said. "I never expected to own one. The sound, feel and look of a Ferrari fulfills the hype."

Seven Ferrari vehicles were parked Friday afternoon at The Bentley as their owners swapped stories about their precision vehicles.

Hank and Amy Carpenter of Greensboro drove their 1997 Ferrari to Kinston Friday.

"When we drive around, the car attracts a lot of attention, that's for sure," Amy Carpenter said. "We have a good group."

The Ferrari clubs' N.C. chapter has 120 members. Bob Snow, Ferrari Club of America Southeast Region Director, said the club offers members a variety of activities.

"A lot of club members want you to give them more than just a newsletter," he said. "We do racing events at the Virginia International Raceway and the Carolina MotorSports Park."

Snow said the Ferrari club does not require its members to own a Ferrari. There are about 400 club members in the southeast region.

The first Ferrari road car was the 1947 125 S, powered by a 1.5-litre V12 engine, according to ferrarifaqs.com. Ferrari vehicles feature highly-tuned small V8 and V12 engines, often in a mid-engined configuration.

Several of the Ferrari vehicles featured in Kinston can reach speeds up to 200 mph with 300 to 490 horsepower. Woody Byrd of Cary displayed his 2005 F4-430 Ferrari, which can reach 60 mph in just 3.5 seconds.

The club members hired a security guard to keep watch over their Ferrari vehicles while they were parked at the Beaufort Inn. It can cost between $5,000 and $10,000 annually to maintain a Ferrari, the club members said.

"There are more Ferrari vehicles being sold in North Carolina than ever before," Snow said. "It's great we stopped in Kinston today. This is a beautiful place."

Chris Lavender can be reached at (252) 559-1078 or clavender@freedomenc.com.