Last weekend, the 16th edition of the Palm Beach Cavallino Classic took place, and the stunning gathering of exotic Ferraris was boosted as the international Ferrari Corse Clienti 2007 calendar got underway, with the North American series of the Shell Ferrari Historic Challenge for historic cars staging its first round at the West Palm Beach circuit in Florida, with overall honours in the prestigious category for cars fitted with disc brakes going to Todd Morici, driving his rapid 512 BB/LM.

The annual Palm Beach Cavallino Classic was held between January 18 and 22 at its regular host hotel, the sumptuous and imposing Breakers, situated on the ocean edge in Palm Beach. Here the attendees were able to indulge themselves in superb luxury, with a vast range of on site facilities and high end boutiques, coupled with unspoiled views across the breaking surf over the Atlantic from the rear terrace. Even without the lure of the Cavallino Classic, southern Florida is an extremely pleasant place to spend some time in January. It offers European summer-like temperatures, which boosts the spirits of those from the northern states or from Europe, whose residents are deep in the grip of winter.

The Palm Beach Cavallino Classic this year played host to the opening round of the Ferrari Corsi Clienti organised 2007 Shell Ferrari/Maserati Historic Challenge USA. Giddings and Morici dominated the Shell Historic Challenge, while other class winners last weekend included Ned Spieker (Alfa Romeo Tipo B), Gregor Fisken (Maserati A6GCS), and Charlie Arnott (Ferrari 250 GT/TdF).
 

Morici, in the category for sports cars fitted with Disc Brakes, though was in unstoppable form for in his Ferrari 512 BB/LM. After starting from pole position, he won the race and Class 6A: which is set aside for the 512 BB/LM. The Shell Ferrari/Maserati Historic Challenge USA features racing cars such as the 250 GTO and Competition SWB, GTO, 512 BB/LM, Alfa Romeo Tipo B, Maserati A6GCS, 166/195 Inter Berlinetta, Maserati 200 SI and Maserati 250 F. The series is organised by Ferrari North America, and sanctioned by the Grand American Road Racing Association.

The second round of the Shell Ferrari/Maserati Historic Challenge USA will take place in mid-April, at the Infineon Raceway in California. Meanwhile the European racing season for the Maranello marque's owners will kick off over the weekend of 25th March at the Monza circuit in Italy, with both the Italian and European series' of the Ferrari Challenge Pirelli Trophy, which features the F430 Challenge berlinetta race car. The Ferrari Corse Clienti department, which is based at the Fiorano track, organises not only the one-make series, but also runs the FXX Programme, the F1 Clienti department and activities involving the Grand Touring motor sport events.