Every third week in January for the past 18 years, Ferrari owners and aficionados have gathered on the lawn of the Breakers Hotel in Palm Beach Fla. for the annual Cavallino Classic, arguably the most prestigious Ferrari event in North America.

The array of cars is overwhelming; from 1950′s racers to the most current super car, it is beyond description for the first timer.  There is a sea of Ferraris as far as the eye can see, starting from the putting green at the edge of the roadside to the croquet lawn just off the patio of the hotel.   That, however is only part of the story – that’s the Saturday event – let’s backtrack to Thursday and Friday.  On these days the focus is at Palm Beach International Raceway just north of Palm Beach in Jupiter Fla.  That’s where the action starts.

 From current street cars like the F430s and F360s to Enzos and FXX’s, to historic 250GTO’s and F40′s – there is something for every fan of Ferraris of the last 60 years at the track and its paddocks .  Giant racing trailers painted Ferrari red and yellow line the infield area with their near priceless cargo.   Scattered closely around ,and their giddy owners zipping up Nomex suits and tightening helmet straps and hardly able to contain themselves as they eagerly await their turn on the track as the different classes of Ferraris are called out to run. 

These guys (and a few women)  are not just posing and looking pretty, they’re racing!!  We are talking about cars like Tom Price’s 1962 250 GTO worth somewhere in the $30 million range racing for fun!    Martin Gruss  can be seen in his $5 million 1959 Le Mans 5th place finishing California Spyder – these are men and women of passion who absolutely love driving their cars as they were meant to be used – on the street and on the track.  The energy and vibe at the track days are palpable – the smell is gasoline, leather and the odd BBQ’d bratwurst being fired up next to a racing trailer with several incredible cars in and around it being worked on between races.

Cars enter and exit the track area like the parking lot of a Publix market casually coming and going as their appointed track times for different classes of cars are called.  It is magnificent.  It is a total rush to stand track side and hear the whine of engines as they approach the turn ,and then pass  with a Doppler effect .  It is almost impossible to describe. The spirit of friendly competitiveness is everywhere on trackday- everyone seems to be wearing a smile, and loving every minute – why shouldn’t they? It’s a sunny day at the racetrack in Palm Beach with some of the most beautiful cars ever made, on display and running around the track – it is truly breathtaking.

Meanwhile, fast forward to Saturday, and the throngs of Tifosi (fans) start to gather in front of the Breakers Hotel.  They are eager to get past the gate guard and start meandering through the array of rolling art – which is really what historic Ferraris are about – they are like Van Gogh or Picasso paintings with wheels . They are strikingly beautiful up close – whether  painted in Rosso Scuderia, Gialo or Rosso Corsa, each on is a masterpiece of design and hand-built construction and usually lovingly restored to original condition.

Getting up close and personal with a 275 Spyder or a 250 GTO or any one of many historic Ferraris sends a chill down any car lover’s spine – it is love at first site– and it is a love that never seems to get stale.

Every year around the third week in January, Ferrari fans’ hearts start to beat a little faster as the start of the Cavallino Classic approaches. The event never seems to disappoint its loyal attendees who see each other there year after year and smile that knowing smile as they re-acquaint in after a year has passed and they come back home to the Breakers again.   It is a feast for the senses – one which makes an indelible impression on the heart of any lover of art, life and especially – of Ferraris. 

Brian Greenglass

Ferrari lover

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Here comes 40. I'm feeling my age and I've ordered the Ferrari. I'm going to get the whole mid-life crisis package.

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