Ferrarri Club of Las Vegas

It may seem odd to modern-day Ferrari owners, but Enzo Ferrari, founder of the epic luxury race car company, was a reserved man. It is one of the odd dichotomies of our world that a man whose personal life was marked by quietness would create one of the most obvious symbols of wealth and excess.

Yet therein lies one of the secrets that makes Ferrari one of the most misunderstood of all brands, while equally contributing to its near century long success.

Ferraris have become a symbol of excess; a clear demarcation line is drawn between those who have and those who have not. Or so popular, jealous convention would have us believe. Ferraris, along with their Lamborghini, Alfa Romeo and Aston Martin brothers, conjure jests involving fears of sexual inadequacy or mid-life crises.

While these cultural biases may have some basis in fact, most Ferrari owners would smile and laugh the light chortle of someone who knows differently.

For Ferrari owners, it is about the majesty of the machine and the artistry of design. Get behind the wheel of one of these machines, be it a classic 275 GTS or a modern F512 M, and you will begin to understand why organizations like the Ferrari Club of Las Vegas exist.

Originally founded 50 years ago, the Ferrari Club of America brought together “like-minded individuals to preserve the automobiles and keep them original,” says Paul Hesselgesser, president of the Las Vegas chapter of the club.

“YOU DON’T EVEN NEED TO OWN A FERRARI TO JOIN. ALL THAT IS REQUIRED IS A LOVE AND APRECIATION FOR THE AUTOMOBILE.”

“We are friendly and low-key and make every attempt to limit politics,” says Hesselgesser. “You don’t even need to own a Ferrari to join. All that is required is a love and appreciation for the automobile.”

Appreciation and love for the amazing craftsmanship of the Ferrari is easy to acquire, and once the bite has taken root, it is natural and healthy to want to socialize with “like-minded individuals.”
The modest annual membership fee grants members three distinct benefits.

“First, we hold monthly socials at various restaurants around the Valley,” explains Hesselgesser about gatherings at which members can watch Formula 1 races and cheer on their favorite drivers.
Secondly, the club also organizes “technical sessions with our friends at Penske-Wynn Ferrari,” where owners can learn about their automobiles and network on all aspects of owning, preserving and caring for these stallions of the roadways.

Lastly, the organization meets several times a year for drives to Mount Charleston, the Valley of Fire and other scenic locales. After all, Ferrari’s are meant to be driven.

Members even can take part in Track Days at Spring Mountain Motorsports Ranch, where they can drive their own cars and even drive authentic Ferrari racing cars. That perk alone may be worth the annual fee.

Golfers have their country clubs, doctors and lawyers have their professional associations and Ferrari owners have the Ferrari Club of America.

But the organization is about more than just the cars. It is about the people, and when passionate people of means gather, good things often can result.

“In celebration of the Ferrari Club’s 50th anniversary, we have made a push to get more involved with charitable organizations,” says Hesselgesser.

The organizing principles behind the club offers proof that stereotypes and popular beliefs often cloud reality. Far from being snobby and exclusive, the organization is a place to share and learn, a place to express passion and discover the thrills and joys of life.To that end, the Las Vegas chapter of the Ferrari Club of America has chosen the Ronald McDonald House as its charity.
Despite his quiet life, one has to believe that Enzo would be proud.

POSITIVE ATTITUDE

Nov 2012

Life is not always fair. As adults, we accept this bitter truth. We have lived our lives through loss and triumph. Most of us, if we are honest with ourselves, can trace our current circumstances to past actions. In many ways, we have made the life we are living. Random chance and misfortune may enter our lives, but for the most part, we are the product of our past decisions. We have made the world we live in.

But for the children afflicted with life-threatening diseases, such as cancer, sickle cell anemia, AIDS, immune disorders and blood diseases, their lives have become the victim of extreme injustice. Through no fault of their own, they have become sick, and the devastating truth is that some of them will not get better.

The Nevada Children’s Cancer Foundation does not cure the cancer or beat the immune disease. That job is left to the amazing doctors and nurses of the various hospitals that dot the Las Vegas Valley. But what the foundation does do is equally as important and critical.

The NCCF “works side by side with the medical community to help children and their families emotionally, financially, socially and through education,” says Jeffrey Gordon, president of the NCCF.

“Medical science has made great strides in the past 15 years. Cancer and other diseases that once had a 53 percent cure rate now have an 80 percent cure rate,” Gordon says.

Studies have proven “how important attitude and the stress level is in getting better.” These factors play an incredibly powerful role in healing and help create an environment in which the amazing can occur.

“IT’S THE ATTITUDE WE BRINGTO LIFE THAT SERVES AS THE CATALYST TO MIRACLES HAPPENING.”adds Gordon. “A positive attitude is more important than facts, money, failures and successes and the past.”

But for families devastated by the news that their child is sick, a positive attitude is not easy to achieve. That is where the work of the NCCF comes in.

“WE LET THEM KNOW THAT THEY ARE PART OF OUR FAMILY,”
According to Gordon, within 24 to 48 hours after a life-threatening diagnosis, the child and their family are shown that they do not have to tread “the troubled waters on their own, and that there is hope.”

“We let them know that they are part of our family,” says Gordon. “We see where they are financially, and our programs never cost them a thing. Many families survive on two incomes, and when a child gets sick, one parent must quit their job.”

Through its 35 programs and services, the NCCF provides the children, as well as their moms, dads and even siblings, with counseling and educational services to help bolster a positive attitude, so that the healing can begin.

While the work the organization does is unquestionably amazing, it does not come cheaply. To help spread the word and raise much-needed funds, the NCCF has numerous events throughout the calendar year. The most important of these is the Profiles of Courage Gala being held on Saturday, Nov. 17, at the Bellagio Las Vegas.

Held annually “to celebrate courageous children fighting a daily battle against disease, special adults touched by cancer and members of the community who help provide hope and triumph in the fight against disease” the Profiles of Courage Gala is responsible for much of the NCCF’s annual operating budget. “In life, we cannot always do magnificent things,” Gordon says, “but we can do small things with great love.”

As the old saying goes, love (and some great medical care) can cure all ills. Help give these kids some much-deserved love and choose to do a small and wonderful thing.

Apollo Jets

You own your own company, or perhaps you run a fortune 1000 firm. You’re a jetsetter, traveling across the country and the world to make business deals and create the future. You need the ability to get from Las Vegas to London, New York, Sao Paulo, Brazil, or Hong Kong at a moments notice.

To make this all possible you must own your own private jet. That’s the conventional wisdom at least. But you know that to succeed in business and in life sometimes you must buck convention.

The people at Apollo Jets are here to help you think outside the box by providing you with all the benefits of private jet owner ship without the cost, hassle and liability. Sure, owning your own jet brings a level of prestige unmatched by any other purchase and grants you the freedom to come and go at will, but it comes with significant costs.

The amount to purchase, house and maintain a jet alone can be staggering. Add in the numerous costs related to hiring a pilot, the grounds crew and a support staff, and the outlay of capital be comes hard to justify, especially during unstable economic climates.

That’s where on demand flying comes into play.

“If you are flying 400 to 500 hours a year, then a private jet is often a wise idea,” Andrew Drykerman, executive vice president of Apollo Jets says.

“But if you fly less than that, or if you need supplemental lifts when your plane is in for maintenance or your pilot is in recur ring training, then an on demand carrier like Apollo is the way to go”

Private on demand flying has numerous advantages that are unavailable to those who either own their own plane or belong to a fractional ownership program. They can all be summed up in one word—flexibility.

Perhaps you and your family want to fly to Park City for a long ski weekend. Apollo can provide you with an eight seat Citation Encore and get you to the slopes in hours.

Then, the following week you and your board of directors need to be in Singapore to close a big deal so you fly in luxury aboard a 13seat Falcon 900B. Having your own jet, you are bound by the limitations of that aircraft. With on demand flying you have options. Better yet, you pay only for what you need.

As Drykerman went on to say, “It (owning your own jet) is like buying a boat. Your two happiest days are the day you buy the boat and the day you sell the boat.”

All the costs aside, the truly great thing about on demand flying is the level of service. Companies like Apollo Jets know that you can take your business elsewhere whenever you please. With fractional ownership programs or outright private jet ownership, you are locked into a monthly recurring bill. It all comes down to incentive versus disincentive. If a company already has you money it doesn’t need to work as hard to earn it.

“With Apollo you’re not locked into anything, “explains Drykerman. “I work my butt off to win your business every time.”here whenever you please. With fractional ownership programs or outright private jet ownership, you are locked into a monthly recurring bill. It all comes down to incentive versus disincentive. If a company already has you money it doesn’t need to work as hard to earn it.

“Whatever your mission is we will get it done,” he says.

“Private, on demand flying is the ultimate luxury,” Drykerman says. “Once you fly our way you’ll never—provided you have the means—fly commercial again.”

So maybe you’re now thinking about having a happy day of your own and maybe you’ll sell your own jet and enter the world of on demand private flying. Happy globetrotting.