Palm Beach, 25th of January
The second day of the 22nd edition of the Cavallino Classic saw
another track day at the nearby Palm Beach International
Raceway. Formerly known as Moroso the track has changed a lot
since these days, new safety features included a new fence
almost all around the track set up since the last CC in 2012
closing off the track very much from the visitors.
Whereas yesterday the free practice sessions were held this
morning the three race-groups had their timed practice sessions
before starting the races after lunch. Unfortunately the race
groups were rather small with just about half a dozen cars each, a
few breakdown during the practice sessions reduced the number
of cars even more. After an engine failure at the GTO of Tom Price
yesterday this morning the Competition Daytona went into
trouble, the track fire truck was needed and the session was red
flagged.
The drum brake race was dominated by the Maserati 250 F as it
was in previous year and was finally won by Peter Giddings just
like the pre-war race in his Alfa Romeo P3. The new pre-war race
saw the Alfas running well in front followed by the Bugatti T35
giving the podium finishes to the P3, the Monza and the Touring
Spyder.
The most interesting was the last race of the day for disc brakes.
The two Ferrari 512 BBLM were much faster than the older 250
GTs so they had to entertain themselves with a duel from the first
to the very last lap with permanently changing leader until Jim
Fuchs took the chequered flag first in a photo finish. Behind the
512 duo a Ferrari 308 GTB had an lonely race followed by a
Davies family duel between Ed & Leslie in their GTO and SWB
followed by the superb looking TdF of Charles Wegner.
After the last races and a few more laps of the modern sports and
GT racers the day was finalized with the Yacht Hop reception in a
new location. After the last year receptions at the Rybovich
Marina the event moved up Flagler Drive to the Palm Harbour
Marina. Although the old location worked very well for the
reception a lack of parking space forced the organizers to move.
As in previous year a few yachts could be visited while drinks
were served on the peer before the prize giving on board of one of
the ships.
Tomorrow will be the main event of the Cavallino Classic with the
concours at the Breakers. Whereas the track days suffered from
the increasing value of the cars and the fear of the owners to
damage their investment the concours will see again some of the
most elegant Ferrari built, a few of them were already spotted at
the receptions or in the surrounding of the track and the hotel.
Text & images ... Peter Singhof
www.ClassicCarPhtotography.de
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