Beware of Cavallino 2022 changes and Canossa

Who were the FNA salespeople replacement judges? What were their qualifications? What classes did they judge? Had they ever previously judged under IAC/PFA rules? I almost feel sorry for them if the answer to the last question is 'no'. That is a hell of a steep learning curve - and you don't start your judging career at Cavallino.

 

Looks great, but I have to wonder why they had some cars backed up to a grove of trees. Hard to see the rear ends.

 

Which cars did not show?

This drone pic of the upper field tells me it was a bit thin or am I wrong?
Photo by Canossa.

Marcel Massini

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And one GTO there, two others parked way down the field with a Cal Spyder and 275's, in a row, like in a parking lot...across from Fiat era cars....it used to be oldest and most important closest to the hotel and the youngest near A1A, the local road, and they were artfully placed by one of the judges, was it Phil Tegmeier? I can't recall.

 

they actually did it twice. The 1st time was after Cavallino in 2010. I met with David (he always seemed to prefer David) and a few of the Historic Challenge Drivers with idea of continuing the Series as the “Gentleman’s Historic Challenge Series” with the thought of an expanded field to include period Bugatti, Aston, Jaguar etc. The event was at Pocono as part of Le Belle Macchine d’Italia with discussions of doing maybe 4 or 5 events the following year at Cavallino, Pocono, Watkins Glen and/or Lime Rock with the Empire State Region of the FCA and maybe at LeBelle Macchine- Daytona (the banking was a concern).

After Pocono in 2010 Ferrari decided to support the Historic Challenge at Cavallino again. At that point we dropped the idea of the Gentleman’s Historic Challenge Series. I believe they continued to do Historic Racing at Cavallino for a few years before ending it.

 

I'm shocked they allowed a drone over those cars.

 

… and let’s not forget that in these days, they have much bigger authority to answer to than mere buyers/owners of their cars.

 

Bob Tallgren used to place the field until he died.

 

Bob's title was chief steward. He would place all the cars without the use of computers. All hand drawn diagrams. Today the chief steward is Don Bartz. The field is layed out by a professional with all the latest computer software.

 

Exactly why I asked - I could see an FNA salesperson being the perfect judge for certain classes. On the other hand, if I had just spent 5-figures getting a 330GTC from 95 points to 98 points, I'd be pretty hacked if an unqualified/newbie judge showed up w/ the clipboard.

 

None that I am aware of, that was speculation…

Full transparency:
I am the service director at Boardwalk Ferrari, I was not called in to replace anybody that I’m aware of, I was invited to judge several months ago.

Steve

 

I don’t think that’s new, I have to go look at pictures I’ve taken from previous years but I seem to remember they’re always being cars in that general area

 

Not the first time, I can remember there being drowned footage from the last 2 to 3 years..

S

 

Thank you yes Bob Tallgren, a very gracious man. John Barnes told me several times that he would minutiously draw the placement of the cars each year....only to discover that the Breakers had yet again changed the layout of the field with new or moved plant islands...so he would tear his hair out and start again.

The latest computer software...yuck the cars in the lower field are parked like in a supermarket lot.

 

That would be your teir…. Which appeared to have been all in place before we ( Judges ) came out onto the field.

Speaking for my class only I can tell you 124147 was a no show…. there were other open spots around the lower part of the field as well.

S

 

To be clear this is not my first National IAC/PFA Event

Thank you for your kind words, though I am always learning!

S

 

I have always enjoyed going to the Cavallino Classics. But for the last few years the event gets smaller and smaller with less cars. I know its difficult to stop a slow downward spiral. I don't think going full corporate is the answer. With out the enthustiasts, these events will continue to get smaller until the guys writing the checks, stop writing the checks.

 

You are dead right but if corporate in the land of meritocracy -USA- can't understand it, what hope is there for corporate in the land of nepotism -bella Italia- to understand it at all?

 

I’m going to guess, though I’m merely speculating, that many of the cars that showed in years past were because John himself spent a considerable amount of time doing personal outreach to owners and restorers. I’m not sure that’s happening now. Having said that, I’m curious to hear what the car count was today.

 

I am currently correcting a restoration that was done by a well know Ferrari dealer in the UK. If Ferrari and Cavallino Classics are depending on the dealers to properly restore cars for these types of events. All I can say is that they are going to have a rude awakening.

 

Public company. Tech wizards and finance guys running things. For them it's just numbers. Squeeze margin, find more verticals, please the (Wall) Street. If you bought RACE at $50 you love it. If you are an enthusiast, it's hard to watch.

 

Exactly what I was referring to.

 

For a sample of one, I can confirm that John and Alicia together were big reasons I took my car to Cavallino, happy I did it then with knowledgeable IAC/PFA judges scoring the car at 100 points, and Best of Show Comp car.

Best regards,

Robert

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