Targa Sixty Six Rocks It at Palm Beach Int’l.

Story by James Redman | Photography by Chuck Anderson

Jupiter, FL—As February drew to a close and Palm Beach prepared for one of the largest golf tournaments in America— the Honda Classic—another group of snowbirds headed south to escape the northern cold.

1961 Ferrari GTO. “Period re-body.” Teft Smith. Photo: Chuck Anderson

Brian Redman’s Targa Sixty Six Club descended on Palm Beach International Raceway February 21-23 for its 29th consecutive year of this popular motorsport gathering.

2013 Patron Honda HPD RX. Robert Blain. Photo: Chuck Anderson

Targa is a place for motorsport enthusiasts to mingle, swap stories and stretch their legs and those of their cars before the 2020 season gets underway, with more than 100 fantastic cars taking to the track.

1976 March 62 Formula 2. Robert Blain. Photo: Chuck Anderson

A cool, rainy Friday morning gave teams and drivers a few minutes longer to prepare before heading out to start three full days of exciting on-track action. Targa Sixty Six is non-competitive track days with cars split into three groups.

1997 Williams FW 19 Formula 1. Ted Zorbas. Williams Heritage team including Jonathan Williams. Photo: Chuck Anderson

1997 Williams FW19. 1997 drivers and constructors champion with Jacques Villeneuve. Ted Zorbas. Photo: Chuck Anderson

Some of the quickest cars in attendance included recent Formula 1 and LMP cars. Most notably a 1997 Jacques Villeneuve, Rothmans Williams Renault F1 (’97 Drivers and Manufacturers World Champions) taking to the track supported by the Williams F1 Heritage team from the UK, led by Sir Frank Williams’ son, Jonathan. Brad Hollinger was also in attendance with his F1 Benetton and Jordan with Tommy Byrne taking a few laps in the latter. Greg Galdi brought his ex-Redman/Merzario Ferrari 312 PB, McLaren Senna and BMW E46 GTR.

1985 Porsche 962 003. The most successful factory 962 including winning Le Mans. Tommy Byrne/Malcolm Ross also 2020 McLaren Senna GTR. Malcolm Ross. Photo: Chuck Anderson

In contrast to the banshee wail of the Formula 1 engines, three UOP Shadow Can-Am cars shook the ground with their thunderous American V8s. More modern cars included longtime Targa member Malcolm Ross in a McLaren Senna GTR and his slightly older and historically significant factory Rothmans Porsche 962. New to Targa, experienced historic competitor Bob Blaine joined Targa stalwart Joe Hish, with a pair of Honda HPD LMP2 cars, Scott Sharp coming to offer advice.

1962 Stanguellini Formula Jr. Joe Colasacco. Photo: Chuck Anderson

Joe Colasacco has always brought magnificent cars here, thrilling all in attendance driving Lawrence Auriana’s superb 1965 Ferrari 1512 1.5 liter F1 (with which he has won at the Goodwood Revival) and 1962 Stanguellini F2.

“Leonidis” 1935 MG PA/PB. 1935 Le Mans class winner. REVS Institute. Driver Gunnar Jeannette. Photo: Chuck Anderson

1969 Porsche 917 PA. The first Porsche Can-Am car. REVS Institute. Gunnar Jeannette. Photo: Chuck Anderson

1967 Porsche 911R factory car. 1969 winner of the Tour de France with Gerrard Larrousse. REVS Institute. Gunnar Jeannette. Photo: Chuck Anderson

One of the true stars of the weekend was in Group C, with the appearance of Miles Collier’s supercharged 1935 MG PA/PB, “Leonidis,” arguably the most famous prewar MG in America. Originally it was one of three MGs in Captain George Eyston’s “Dancing Daughters” female class-winning team for Le Mans in 1935. In 1938 Miles and Leonidis won outright the ARCA’s “Round the Houses” race at Alexandria Bay. The year following, at the wheel of Leonidis, Miles became the first American in a decade to race at Le Mans. The REVS Institute also brought a Porsche 911R, 718 RSK, 910/6 and 917 PA, all being exercised by Gunnar Jeannette.

1972 Brabham BT38 Formula 2. Paul Skilowitz. Photo: Chuck Anderson

Targa events are known for the gathering of friends and racing legends at the Saturday evening dinner. Guest speaker Australian James Davison had guests hanging on his every word as he shared his family racing history and his plans for this year in NASCAR and IndyCar. Divina Galicia MBE and Derek Bell MBE added to the fun as they, Brian Redman and Targa members swapped tale tales.