BARONE'S C&CM

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...