Palm Beach, 24th of January 2013

This years Cavallino Classic started with its official program today at the Palm Beach International Raceway with the first of two track days. Traditionally the first two days of the 4-day meeting are held on the race track where the brave owners of race cars are able to play with their toys.

Due to a timely overlap with the 24 hours of Daytona a few regular entrant were missing this year as the challenge cars were running a support race in the north, so the modern Ferrari classes were less full than in previous years. On the other side a new race group was welcomed as the track days feature a pre-war racing for the first time. Back in the days of the Ferrari Historic Challenge the pre-war Alfa Romeo with Scuderia Ferrari history were running in the normal drum brake group as they also did in the last years a Cavallino. As several of the Ferrari/Maserati Owner own an Alfa Romeo as well this year they got their own race that included 4 Alfa Romeo racing against their main rival from the past, no less than 6 Bugatti showed up in Palm Beach this year. As most of the cars in the drum and disc brake class are regular entrants the pre-war race was a welcomed addition to the already known Ferrari and Maserati racers.

The fist day was for practice only with two stints each, tomorrow will be a time qualifying in the morning and races in the afternoon.

After a long day at the track the day was finished with the Jet Aviation Center reception in the evening. The Ferrari were parked between the Jets, a colourful program with wine tastings, fur displays and other sponsorship had something for everyone, the traditional peoples choice award was the highlight of the evening. Unfortunately just a few classic Ferrari found their way to the Jet Center, the 375 MM that won last year several awards was back again an prominently presented on the red carpet, but this year award was given to Peter Neumark and his latest acquisition, the Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spyder. After having been out of the public for more than 40 years the car (Chassis 0919GT) just finished restoration and made its first public outing. It should be back on the lawn on Saturday for the main Concours together with a superb line-up of other Ferrari.

As already mentioned, tomorrow will see the second track day and in the evening the Yacht Hop, a reception in the Palm Beach Marine showing the cars aside the luxury yachts. This will also be the venue for the price giving for the races.

Text & images ... Peter Singhof www.ClassicCarPhotography.de