Ferraris in a row on Market Street. Photo by Andrea Worker
The Mid-Atlantic Region of the Ferrari Club of America held their Annual Spring Thaw event in Reston Town Center on Saturday, April 14. The weather cooperated brilliantly and the cars, parked along Market Street as well as in the Pavilion itself, sparkled in the sunshine. The pedestrianized street was crowded with people checking out the vehicles and stopping to take photos of themselves and family members in front of cars both new and classic. There were many local entries, as well as cars from Maryland, Pennsylvania, and even Florida on display. The arrival and departure of the cars seemed to excite the crowds, as the distinctive sounds of sports car exhaust systems echoed through the Town Center.
Ferrari Red was the dominant color of the day, but long-time FCA members Doug and Phyllis Teague of Warrenton had their light blue Ferrari on display. Doug’s first Ferrari, purchased in 1987 and shipped with him to Tokyo was originally owned by Richard Carpenter, one half of the 70s musical group The Carpenters. "It had a great license plate," said Doug. "It read SONG4U. Sadly that plate went ‘missing’ during the shipment." Doug and Phyllis design and lead one of the Club’s most popular annual events, the Virginia Grand, a two-day run through the back roads and mountain areas of Virginia with interesting stops along the way and overnight stays at historic inns or active resorts.
Laura Ebert, the event’s local founder and organizer described the turnout as a real success. "125 participants with 78 cars being exhibited. About 75 percent of the entries are Ferraris and the rest are mixed exotics like Lamborghinis and Maseratis," she reported from her station at Clyde’s Restaurant where the registrants were about to enjoy lunch with door prizes and special Ferrari surprises.