Exotics at Redmond Town Center

Ferrari Enzo

Wanna see some exotic sports cars, the sort of car you don't see on the streets except rarely and in passing? What IS an exotic sports car anyway? Saturday mornings, around 8:30AM, a lot at Redmond Town Center fills up with Ferrari, Porsche, Acura NSX, Viper, and Atom sports cars. People stand around talking about their cars, the cars they want, and the cars they've driven. Its all very informal, very friendly, and loads of fun to get close to cars you may seldom see otherwise.  

Last Saturday two of the more exotic cars were an Ariel Atom and a Ferrari Enzo. The Arial Atom is has an exoskeleton rather than a conventional body, so it is much lighter and faster than most anything else on the road. It uses a 245 hp Honda engine in a 1005 lb vehicle, giving it a top speed of 140mph, and 0 - 60 mph of 2.7 seconds (manufacturer's claim.) The owners club, Atomclub.com, says, "The Ariel Atom has been described as 'the most fun you can have with your clothes on.'”

The Ferrari Enzo is a 6-liter, V12 mid-engine coupe, named after Enzo Ferrari, the company founder. The car weighs 3009 lbs and develops 651 hp, with quarter mile times of 10.8 seconds.  The Enzo is perhaps the fastest production car made, and makes use of Formula One technologies such as a carbon-fiber body; carbon fiber reinforced ceramic composite disc brakes; and paddle shifting.

The Enzo was built to celebrate Ferrari's World Manufacturers Championship in Formula One. Only 400 cars were built, and they sold for $643,330. to special Ferrari owners. Today at auction, the cars typically go for over one million dollars, when available.

Exotics @ Redmond Town Center began as a small group of enthusiasts meeting for coffee and pastries in Old Bellevue.  From the beginning, there were problems with where to park, where to gather to chat and swap stories, and how to fit into the business neighborhood.

Victor Tiscareno and Tom Nault began looking for another venue, one that would have adequate parking, and support from the local businesses.  In a post on 6speedonline, Victor writes, "Tommy and I researched for the best locations to meet; the criteria for the location are COFFEE!, food, a garage just in case of rain or wind, and a location that was far enough away from homes so to not bother anyone. And finally a parking lot that would allow us to grow, and a property management team that would allow us on their property without hassle."

Redmond Town Center met all the criteria, including a hotel nearby for visitors, and a restaurant to have breakfast in. People begin showing up around 8:30 or so, park and begin talking cars. Exotics@RTC has been quite a success, usually more than 20 such cars show up each Saturday.

After swapping stories, or wandering around looking at the cars, many folks go for breakfast the Desert Fire, next to the parking lot. Here are directions. If you plan to go, get there before 10:AM when the show breaks up, and people get on with their Saturday errands.

 

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