Several months ago, I was pitched the idea that the New England Region of the Ferrari Club of America wanted to have Francois Sicard at the guest of honor at the 2026 Annual Meet to be held in Monticello NY. I wasn’t sure why Chris Graves, the Co-Chairman of the Event was asking me until I realized they wanted me to pitch the idea to Francois! I went to Francois’ shop and explained what the FCA wanted to do, and he simply asked, “what do I have to do?” I told him nothing except show up! From that point forward, I decided I would do whatever in my power to make this event a wonderful celebration of my mentor, and mechanics throughout the Ferrari Community.

I curated a collection of cars that Francois worked on, including my 330 America which started it all for me in Vintage Ferraris. I invited cars that Francois and his race team at NART and Chinetti Motors built. I arranged for some of Francois’ oldest friends and customers to come join us for the Concours, and a Banquet honoring Francois. I even had my car detailed before driving the two hours to Monticello this past week for the celebrations!

Driving my 330 America was imperative because if I didn’t drive my car, how was I supposed to preach that “Ferraris were meant to be driven?” I, however, had several other cars shipped to Monticello so we could gather them in honor of Francois.

The New York and New England Chapter published a wonderful book highlighting the career of Francois telling the story of Francois’ mentor Nereo Iori from who he met at The Factory. I even got a mention as Francois’ apprentice keeping the tradition of master to apprentice alive!

Brian Crall kicked off the four days of Ferrari content with a Concours seminar going over the specific details of a 1989 Ferrari 328.

One car I was excited to see was this 1974 BBLM. Francois and the NART Team at Chinetti Motors built this car from a stripped down street car The Ferrari Factory sent to the States for NART to race. I personally invited the owner to bring the car to honor Francois, but here were strings to pull, and egos to stow, but I was so glad to see this car in Monticello.

Three of the original builders involved with this car were present, so it was great to reunite them with the car. Pictured here is Bob Coats, owner; Dick Fritz, NART Team Manager; Francois Sicard, NART Chief Mechanic; Bob Craige, NART Mechanic.

Another car I was happy to see at the Concours was this 1951 Ghia Bodied 212. Francois worked on this car when it was owned by David Letterman, and was recently offered at auction. The current owner brought it to me to correct some things, and wanted to bring it to this event. It was a joint effort between several shops along with the owner himself spending some late nights getting this car ready in time for this Concours. All the hard work paid off when he received a gold award for his efforts!

Despite a long day in the sun at the Concours, I booked reservation for dinner in Monticello at an Italian Restaurant. Monticello is in a rural part of NY, so there aren’t a lot of choices, especially for a group of 12 people, but I was pleasantly surprised, however, with the Colosseo Family Restaurant. I had concerns with how it looked on the outside, but as the food arrived cordially and efficiently, I was relieved!

Maybe we were used to our urban prices for entrees, but the servings were really family sized. Clete barely managed to eat a quarter of his ziti before he has to ask for help!

I was really busy this week, but it was so nice to spend some time with some Vintage Ferrari folks.

It was great to see old friends reconnect with Francois back at the Resorts Hotel. Here’s Greg Jones and Parker Hall stopping by Francois’ table to say hello. Even Claude chirped a welcome while perched on Francois’ shoulder! (The Frenchman managed to escape poop free!)

There were a couple of rallies and Track Days at the Monticello Motor club, but the weather started warming towards the later part of the week. I needed to load the cars I was caring for back onto a truck and back to my shop, and decided to drive my 330 America home to beat some of the heat. Parker Hall decided to ride shotgun in the Ferrari and I took him to one of my local ice cream joints to sample the local dairy!

The four day event wrapped up with a Banquet to give out the major awards for the Ferraris that showed at the Concours, and to celebrate the Guest of Honor. I was worried in the lead up to this event that Francois would not enjoy himself, or that he would meet someone he didn’t like, but my fears were unfounded as he seemed to be truly enjoying himself! Here are long time friends Judy Stropus and Wayne Carini sitting with Francois’ wife Pam posing for a picture.

Joe Colaseco and Larry Aurriana brought the whole Aurriana Race Team to honor Francois. In the last couple decades, this team has competed and won several Vintage Races all over the world from Monaco to Goodwood. If there was ever a reason not to retire, Francois has been part of this winning team that never seems to slow down!

It was so rewarding to see Francois and Pam so happy. It would be an understatement if I said Francois changed my life, so I was so honored to be a part of this celebration of his career through the Ferrari Club of America. Thanks to Chris Graves for the spark of an idea that grew into a special celebration of a man who embodies Ferrari. Forza Ferrari!