Ferrari supercar to aid earthquake victims

FERRARI has donated one of its most exclusive cars – a 599XX Evo worth more than $1.6 million – to be auctioned for the benefit of victims of the recent deadly earthquakes in northern Italy.

The rare track-only rocket, a rolling laboratory supercar used to develop technology for the next generation of Ferraris, will be sold in an online auction at www.ferrari.com.

At least 17 people have died and many more injured or left homeless as a result of a series of quakes in recent weeks measuring as high as 6.0 on the Richter scale in the Emilia-Romagna region, not far from Ferrari’s home base at Maranello.

The Italian government has set aside today (Monday) as a national day of mourning.

Ferrari has also donated a number of other F1-related collectibles, including a complete V8 engine from a Ferrari F1 car, racing suits and helmets donated by current drivers Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa, and numerous items of memorabilia from the works racing cars from past seasons.

Also featuring in the auction will be a selection from the Ferrari Store, including Prancing Horse watches.

The Ferrari 599XX “with evolution package” produces some 544kW of power and 700Nm of torque from its 6.0-litre V12 engine, weighs 35kg less than the ‘regular’ 599XX and features an active rear wing which can adjust automatically to provide increased cornering performance.

Owners buy the right to drive the car at Ferrari-organised track days, where they are flown in to take on the role of development drivers testing prototype components and systems.

Ferrari said it hopes the auction will contribute a significant sum of money to those families who have lost loved ones and those who need to rebuild their lives.

“As soon as news about the earthquakes came out, Ferrari clients and collectors from around the world spontaneously contacted the Maranello headquarters to offer their contribution,” the company said.

“Once again the generosity of Ferrari’s enthusiasts will enable the company to provide support to those most hit by the tragedy, a demonstration of solidarity that, in recent years, has contributed to the reconstruction in Abruzzo after the earthquake, as well as the building of a school in Fukushima in Japan after last year’s disaster.”

Two weeks ago, Ferrari also stepped in to help supplier company Fonderia Scacchetti, whose factory in San Felice sul Panaro near Modena was severely damaged by the first big earthquake in the area on May 20.

Scacchetti’s foundry tools and workers were quickly relocated to Ferrari’s base in Maranello, where production will continue while the plant in San Felice sul Panaro is rebuilt and work can get back to normal.