Since she was only 11-years-old, Marie Manvel has been simply fascinated by cars. Although her father was a doctor, he loved working on cars and raised his daughter to have the same love and true appreciation for the automotive hobby.

In fact, Marie says that when it was time to buy her first car, her father insisted that she know how to take complete care of a vehicle before she could get behind a wheel.  She quickly learned how to tune up a car and change the oil and tires.  And, by the time she was in college, she found herself behind the wheel of a turbo-charged 300ZX.

Marie’s passion for sports cars, in particular, started with that car and has only grown over time. 

Now, she is in the process of purchasing yet another specialty vehicle: her first Ferrari.

“The Ferrari is a phenomenal, well-handling machine,” she says. 

She says that everything about the Ferrari is incredible, from the design and engineering to the way it sinks into curves.

Excited about the anticipated purchase, Marie really delved into the collector vehicle hobby during the last couple years and joined the Southwest Region’s Ferrari Club of America.  She says that she enjoys being part of the 600-member club, explaining that she has many friends in the club and was able to find the best Ferrari for her, through networking. 

The club events are also tremendously enjoyable, adds Marie.  Some happenings include Ride and Drives, golf tournaments, an annual drive to Monterey with a stop for lunch, viewings at the Grand Prix, participation in the Los Angeles Concours, tech sessions at dealerships, Christmas parties and special opportunities to get behind the wheels of Ferraris on race tracks—which might just be the most exciting of all the events, especially for Marie.

When asked about her favorite memory of her involvement in the automotive hobby, thus far, Marie quickly responded with her recollection of being on a track as a passenger in a Ferrari Challenge. 

“It was unbelievable,” she remarks.

“I put the helmet on and needed help to crawl into the small steel cage and into a seat that seemed too tight for my petite frame. I wondered how race car drivers do this with apparent ease. Sounds were muffled through the helmet but I could definitely hear the engine roar.

The 5-point harness was cinched so tight, I felt I was attached to the revving engine. The massive beast took off with an explosion of g-force that whipped my helmet instantly into the seat and drained most of the blood from my head and extremities.

The Ferrari turned at optimum speed, deftly following the lines of the track. The power of the carbon-ceramic brakes was awesome as we backed off the tail of the car in front, following at high speeds, with less than 6 inches separating speeding metal from metal.

After what seemed like the ride of my life, the beast slowed with the massive sound of the engine down shifting. A few seconds later the pit crew helped me out of the metal cage. I crawled out with a big grin on my face knowing….there’s nothing better than this.”

Story by: Becky McLaughlin