BARONE'S C&CM

Scott Utter of European Motorcar Studio shares the merits of this 1974 Lamborghini Espada with me at the Scottsdale Jet Center reception during Arizona Car Week.   My week began by hosting with a fundraiser for the RPM Foundation with president Diane Fitzgerald (left). My friendship with IndyCar racer Lyn St. James (right) inspired me to make a multi-year financial commitment to the foundation in her honor. Two of my good friends and traveling companions, Jim and Sandi Weder, who share my passion for fantastic cars. We connected through the Ferrari Club ofAmerica – Desert Region , and attended the Monaco Grand Prix in 2016. This replica Porsche 917 sports racer was a standout favorite of the week. Tagging along with the RPM Foundation students at the Barrett-Jackson collector car auction, and witnessing the power of mentorship firsthand. My Sophia had plenty of company from her cousins down the road in Maranello. Sometimes the week ...

One of the lessons I learned at the track was the importance of vision. Look at the path you want your car to take. Turn your head and focus your eyes on where you want to go. Amazingly, it worked every time in the slalom, autocross, track laps and even everyday driving. But what if you can’t see where you want to go? A few weeks ago, while on a drive with the Ferrari Club ( Desert Region ), we encountered thick fog; a rather rare driving condition here in Central Arizona. We slowed down and cautiously navigated through the mist, and it was a big topic of conversation when we reached our lunch destination. I was recounting this adventure to Lyn St. James , a friend and 2-time winner of the 24 Hours of Daytona, winner of the 12 Hours of Sebring, and veteran of the 24 Hour of Le Mans endurance race.   I asked her, “How do you drive in really difficult conditions when you can barely see the road ahead?” She replied, “Follow the yellow line!”   Of course, that made to...

In all aspects of my life, I strive to be the best. Whether it’s my career as a Financial Advisor or my personal time as a car enthusiast, I always try to apply the hard-learned lessons of others to improve my practice. So, when it came to maximizing the enjoyment of Sophia – the pet name for my 2016 Maserati Gran Turismo Sport – I sought out the advice of experts. I’m fortunate to call former IndyCar racer Lyn St. James a friend, and she encouraged me to step outside my comfort zone and re-learn the basics of driving. Lyn’s career has been an inspiration in many ways – besides being one of the few women to participate at racing’s highest level, she did so in mid-life, winning the 1992 IndyCar Rookie of the Year award at the age of 45. Lyn still races cars but finds a lot of enjoyment from passing on her knowledge to novice drivers and encouraging vocational education in the automotive restoration fields through her role as an ambassador for the non-profit RPM Foundation.   I...

My name is Sophia and I am a Maserati. I’m a sleek, sophisticated, and very powerful GranTurismo Sport.   I sport a naturally aspirated 4.7L 457 HP V8 engine and can go 0-60mph in 4.2 seconds. My driver's name is Barby Barone. Like me, she’s Italian.   She’s President of Biltmore Advisors, an investment firm based in Phoenix Arizona. She’s been in the investment business for over 30 years and has a passion for her profession. So now that you know who we are, Barby will tell you why we’ve decided to create this blog.   I bought my first Maserati in 2009. My Italian Beauty was my first performance vehicle.   I acquired her on an informed whim and have never looked back.   Initially my enthusiasm outstripped my driving skills and it was when I planned to run the Mohave Mile that legendary race car driver Lyn St. James arrived on scene with a pair of her driving gloves to help. My involvement with the Desert Region Ferrari Club in Arizona is a great opportu...