Ferrari cruise-in to benefit Arthritis Foundation Sept. 14

The cruise-in is scheduled to take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., but one of the most thrilling aspects will be when the Ferraris begin arriving, at about 9:30 a.m.

“There is nothing quite like hearing the roar of a fine-tuned Ferrari engine,” said Michael Karaman, president of James Free Jewelers.

“We love collaborating with James Free Jewelers each year, because of their dedication to excellence,” said Michael Kelly, national chairman of the Ferrari Club of America. “Everything they do is first-class and everyone who works there is so nice, which is the kind of company we want to be associated with.”

Admission to the cruise-in is free, but raffle tickets will be sold for a 30-minute, race-like ride in a Maserati, with a qualified driver at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, or a one-hour, open-road ride in a Ferrari. All proceeds from the raffle will benefit the Arthritis Foundation.

The Ferrari cruise-in alternates each year between James Free Jewelers’ Cincinnati and Dayton locations. The previous one in the Dayton area occurred in 2017.

For the first time, this year’s event will include Hot Wheels racing for kids and adults, on a track that will be set up in the James Free parking lot. Everyone is invited to bring their own Hot Wheels cars and compete for prizes. Hot Wheels will be loaned at no charge to anyone who does not have their own.

Ferraris are among the world’s most expensive sportscars, with new ones starting at approximately $200,000 and some vintage models worth much more. In 2018, a 1963 Ferrari GTO sold for a record $70 million. Kelly said, however, there is a misconception that only the wealthy can own Ferraris.

“Some pre-owned Ferraris are in the price range of many typical sedans, and if you work on them, ownership becomes pretty easy,” he said. “I bought my first Ferrari for $28,000 and spent four-and-a-half years restoring it.”

Kelly currently owns a 1990 Ferrari Testarossa, which he often races at speeds of up to 160 miles per hour. It will be on display at the upcoming cruise-in.

Membership in the Ferrari Club of America is open to anyone, even non-Ferrari owners, who comprise an estimated 15 percent of membership. Members often participate in social and charity events.

“The best part of the Ferrari world is the people,” Kelly said. “They are the nicest, most generous people of any other association that I have been involved with.”

FCA members will be able to take advantage of a special 20 percent discount on jewelry purchases on the day of the event. Some designers are excluded; see store for details. A piece of David Yurman designer jewelry valued at about $750 will also be awarded in a drawing at Ferrari Cruise-In V. No purchase is necessary, nor is club membership necessary to enter the drawing, but participants must be present at the event Sept. 14.

“When we did our first Ferrari cruise-in, the turnout was terrific,” said Dave Tellmann, director of marketing for James Free Jewelers. “If you love beautiful sportscars, Kettering is the place to be!”

‘Ferrari Cruise-In V’

‘Ferrari Cruise-In V’