George got hooked on all things automotive at early age. While a teen, he bought three cars from a local junkyard and, in the cool dampness of his parent’s garage, he and his brother built a road-going MGB that had a 1968 chassis and a 1967-69 drive train. Reconstructing that car literally from the ground up launched George’s passion for cars.

“So many of today’s cars do a million different things or are watered down to meet so many divergent tastes and purposes. All those conveniences are great when considering an everyday driver, but when it comes to Ferrari, I am attracted by their clarity of purpose,” George said. “Their rich racing history has consistently produced cars that are dedicated to their purpose – uncompromising focus on doing one thing and doing it really well. In my opinion, that expertise has been superbly translated into the marque’s cars that are available to amateur racing enthusiasts and those who want to experience the exclusivity of owning a Ferrari. Unlike so many other brands, Ferraris are much more than a method of transportation. They are meant to be driven.”

George should know. Over the years he’s owned dozens of cars, from Lamborghini to Porsche, Corvette, Aston Martin and more. “At one time, I owned 12 cars from four or five different brands, but I soon realized that only ones I really drove and truly enjoyed were my Ferraris. So, we sold everything else,” George said. Today he owns – and drives - a 1984 512 BBI, 2001 550 Maranello, 2001 550 Barchetta, 2004 Challenge Stradale, 2007 F430 Spider and 2007 599 GTB-HGTE. He has a GTO, the limited production 599, due for delivery early this fall, and plans to hit the track around the southeast. He drove his Challenge Stradale at Cavallino last year and plans to return again in 2011.

Road Atlanta, Palm Beach International, and Roebling Road are a few of the tracks that George finds plenty of reasons to visit. A few years ago, he was invited to a Ferrari Challenge race at Road Atlanta. Since then, he’s attended several driving schools and trains with a private driving coach with the goal of getting behind the wheel in the Challenge series. “My driving coach once told me that if I could only own one Ferrari, it should be a Ferrari that I can race on the track because if you only see your Ferrari as a casual everyday driver, you’ll never experience all that a Ferrari can do,” George said. Taking that advice to heart, George participates in a lot of Ferrari Club of America track events. He also competes in his Radical SR3 (similar to a Le Mans car) in the Radical Challenge West series, and is involved in Chin Motorsports Series and MVP Motorsports.

His need for speed doesn't end at the shoreline; he has taken his passion for racing to the next level aboard his Melges 32 class yachts. These beauties have a 10 foot beam, 7 foot draft and a crew of five or more professionals. “Regattas are serious fun but also highly competitive, similar to what you see with Formula 1 racing. We recently had a great time at the Heineken Regatta on St. Maarten aboard Belle, an IY60, and in other terrific locations like the BVIs and Antigua,” he said.

Back on land, George says that one of the most important things to consider when owning a Ferrari is the relationships you build not only with other enthusiasts, but also the people who handle your cars. “You need to find professionals who really know what they are doing and who you can trust. I deal exclusively with Ferrari of Atlanta for the vehicles I buy and sell, and for all maintenance,” he said. George also tells those purchasing a Ferrari not to be afraid of those with miles on them. “The more you drive them, the better they run. Unlike most other cars, miles on a Ferrari are a good thing.”


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