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