Superbly organised by Cavallino magazine publisher John W. Barnes Jnr. and his family, the Cavallino Classic is one of North America's best attended Ferrari events. Centred on the Breakers Hotel, West Palm Beach and nearby Moroso Motorsports Park, the six day event attracts a global attendance to enjoy a mixture of track action, an extensive social schedule and a prestigious concours.

Guests of honour for this year's event were Piero Lardi Ferrari and Adolfo Orsi from Maserati.

West Palm Beach, south central Florida, is an area of considerable affluence where BMWs and Jaguars almost outnumber Buicks and Chevrolets. However, for one week per year it is Italy's automotive icon that attracts the most attention.

Built by Standard Oil billionaire Henry Flagler, the magnificent colonial-style Breakers Hotel stands amidst palm trees and manicured gardens in an area accessed by bridges across an inland waterway and with the Atlantic Ocean as a backdrop. The 18th hole of the adjacent golf course was used for Saturday's concours, whilst Donald Trump's nearby estate, Mar a Lago, was the venue for Sunday's charitable lunch and determining the winner of the Palm Beach Cup - awarded to the most deserving Ferrari by all Cavallino Classic entrants.

The track action centred at Moroso Motorsports Park, an all-purpose venue located 40 minutes north west of the Breakers. Conceived by drag racer and engine tuner Dick Moroso, the ten turn, two and a quarter mile track incorporates a drag racing strip that has been completely upgraded and includes the replacement of the grandstands. Moroso is a combination of long straights and a tight infield capable of challenging the most experienced track day driver and racer alike. Since its inception at the Classic four years ago, the first round of the Factory-supported Shell Historic Ferrari Maserati Challenge has become a personal highlight. Divided into two categories - drum and disc brake, both grids raced over 30 minutes duration.

Results were as follows:

Peter Sachs lead Ed Davies from a rolling start , with Peter Giddings' fabulous pre war Alfa 8C 35 in third. Former Renault Sport F1 boss and Ferrari enthusiast Jean Sage was in Ed Davies' Alfa-Romeo P3 whilst Symbolic Motors Bill Noon drove an Alfa Monza 8C. Sachs and Davies circulated closely together until Davies nipped by on lap 6 and despite a hard charge from Sachs it was Davies’ race by the narrowest of margins. Giddings finished an excellent third and it was pleasing that all the pre war Alfa Romeo’s saw the checker.

Todd Morici lapped the field up to 4th place with an aggressive drive. ”Star Car” was John Giordano’s 512S Coda Lunga (long tail) - a unique example of the 512S raced in period by John Surtees and Jacky Ickx. In an incident free race Paul Facella finished third in his 512BB/LM with Peter Sachs fourth. Stephen Dudley was familiarising himself with his new acquisition (before it travels to Europe for the Tour Auto) - the last Michelotto built 308GT/M and Floridian collectors Ed and Leslie Davies drove their 250SWB and GTO respectively.

Whichever way you looked there was a car to catch the eye: Peter Sachs' 365 P2, Lawrence Stroll's 250TR and BB/LM (which sadly didn’t race), Jon Shirley's prototype 250TR and Chuck Wegner's delectable, Phil Hill-autographed 196 SP – which thanks to “Motion Products” Wayne Obry remains in race fettle but unrestored.
Winner of N-GT championship titles - JMB Racing had its highly successful Giesse liveried 360N GT on display in the paddock along with Ferrari/Maserati North America’s full range which included the new Maser Quattroporte.

Saturday's concours presented approximately 70 exceptional condition examples of Maranello and Bologna’s finest - from the 166 Spyder Corsa to the latest Enzo (7 of them in Rosso Corsa, Giallo, Nero and Le Mans blue) with the 612S and Quattroporte close by. Cars that caught the eye included

With thanks to Ed Gilbertson…get well soon!