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Aided by both Goodwood meetings, the popularity of historic motorsport has never been stronger - race, rally and "raid" events mean that the calendar is full from January to December and offers the enthusiast, whatever their budget, the opportunity to participate in their prized possession. Elsewhere in Europe, the addition of the Trofeo Classico de Baleares and Le Mans Classic to an already crowded fixture list means that fitting in "work" is always difficult ! Not content with the European season the Cavallino Classic, Tour Auto and Targa Tasmania are all worthwhile diversions. In our case, 2002 was just three weeks old when West Palm Beach, Florida beckoned for the Cavallino Classic XI; two days of track action at the 2.5 mile long Moroso Motorsports Park combined with the celebrated Breakers Hotel concours - oh so appealing when the weather in the UK is normally sub zero! The 40th anniversary of the 250GTO was celebrated at both; American Leslie Davies lead home Laurence Stroll on track and Terry Hoyle's fantastic restoration of Bernie Carl's example took pride of place on the 18th green. Well supported by Ferrari specialists from coast to coast, the Cavallino is an event where even the trailer park is worth a look! Majorca.....in March......5 days of classic car action on road and track, 700 kms in total......why not? The 2nd Trofeo Classico de Baleares combines hillclimbs, promenade sprints and timed laps of Majorca's only race circuit, Llucmajor. Exceptionally well organised by enthusiast Peter Raumann, its reputation has spread quickly and this year the 200 strong, predominantly German, entry used the quayside in Palma as its nightly base. Hotly tipped for success was former Porsche racer Jurgen Barth in a "hot" 911, David/Debbie Franklin in their Shelby GT350 and Chris O'Neil/Nigel Hulme in an AC Cobra. Majorca.....that must mean the weather was dry and sunny; wrong! It rained ......and it rained......and it was still raining 4 days into the event! Surprising then that a promenade sprint on a cold, wet Friday lunchtime in March should provide one of the best motorsport memories of the year. Dutch enthusiast John Bosch in the fearsome Ferrari Daytona Competition controlled massive torque and endless powerslides to head the timesheets and went on to win overall. Spa Ferrari Days
has been part of my motorsport diary for years - globally Spa is without
equal from a driver and spectator viewpoint. The opportunity to enjoy
the first rounds of the Shell Historic Ferrari/Maserati Challenge, the
Western European 360 Challenge and a round of our own PMFC is one not
to be missed. There is rain - and there is Spa rain; the Ardennes was
full of cloud from Friday to Sunday but this only adds to the excitement! Monaco May 18/19th was the date for the 3rd Grand Prix Historique and before you ask - yes it did rain! Entry was by invitation for the seven races that practised on Saturday and raced in front of a large, enthusiastic crowd on Sunday. David Franklin (750 Monza) and Martin Stretton (Tyrrell P34 F1) were the undoubted stars on a weekend where British drivers were victorious in every race. Sir Stirling Moss drove Frank Sytner's Frazer Nash with verve, whilst Alex Yoong and Takuma Sato guested in Lotus 72 and 49 respectively; American enthusiast Chris McAllister "splashed" his ex Niki Lauda Ferrari 312 T3 to an excellent result whilst Bruce McCaw's thunderous Maserati 450S looked menacing in its Cuban Grand Prix spec. The Ferrari section of the Automobile Club Du Monaco had a 75 car display
at the rear of Casino Square and when else can you sit in the Swimming
Pool grandstand for 15 Euros! It was great to see so many competing Americans
make the trip to the principality and stay on to race in Pau the following
week. By season's end, Californian John Delane had won his class in the
Thoroughbred Grand Prix Championship in his ex Jackie Stewart Tyrrell
02. It had taken me 34 years to make it to Monaco - an excellent weekend
was had by all and the hotel is already booked for May 2004. The balance of Summer and Autumn passed quickly - more work interspersed with assorted domestic sprint, hillclimb and race meetings. Missing from my calendar this year has been the inaugural Shelsley Walsh Historic Ferrari Class and the Le Mans Classic as well as Tutte le Ferrari a Misano and the recently completed Targa Espana. December already! - it's been a busy year, a lot of fun and the best news............ the Florida sunshine and Cavallino XII are but 8 weeks away. Thank you to all enthusiasts and competitors who continue to "dig deep" as custodians of our motorsport heritage and to racers David Franklin, Peter Hardman and John Bosch, who all proved that no matter what you drive - and where - sideways is more fun! Click here to return to the Ferrari Happenings page.
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