It is ironic that a track weekend founded by a highly successful racing driver would not include any actual racing. However, Brian Redman has hit on a winning formula with his Targa 66 event, now in its 27th year.
When you attend Targa 66, your car is put into one of three groups and whenever your group is scheduled, the track is yours. No one tracks lap times and no one keeps score. Although most attendees use the event to exercise their cars and hone their driving skills in a low-pressure environment, for those in historic racing it is also a great early testing opportunity.
Targa 66 offered the perfect opportunity to fully exercise and test our Porsche 907 for the first time since being restored. Photo: Johnny Miles
Targa 66 is a family affair. Brian and son James, along with their wives, Marion and Dawn, work with racing friends to plan and host the Targa 66 gathering each year. Over half of the drivers are repeat attendees. The atmosphere is social, with old acquaintances and friends greeting each other convivially and sharing stories about a common passion.
Brian and James concede that it is no accident that they host the event at balmy Palm Beach International Raceway in February when most of the country’s sports cars are sequestered away from icy and salty roads.
The diversity of cars in attendance also distinguishes Targa 66 from your normal track day. Not one but two of the just-released Aston Martin DB4 GT continuation cars were in attendance. They could be seen lapping the track along with everything from a Group C Porsche 962 to a brand-new McLaren 720S.
One of two Aston Martin DB4 GT continuation cars that was in attendance at Targa 66, out of a total run of 25. Photo: David Santiago
This year, Revs Institute brought an unprecedented six vehicles: the Miles Collier Collections’ 1958 Scarab Sports-Racer, 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport, 1968 Porsche 907, 1969 Porsche 908-2 Flunder, and 1970 Fiat TC-R, along with Revs Institute’s 1962 Lotus 23. The six cars kept the shop team and driver Gunnar Jeannette especially busy. Targa 66 is a particularly valuable event for Revs because it gives the shop team a chance to shakedown many of the collection’s race cars that need to run but can’t be exercised on public roads. It also allows us to share the vehicles with an appreciative audience.
Please enjoy the following photo gallery of the event which we hope will give the reader a taste of the event and the many impressive cars in attendance.
The 982cc engine that protrudes from the rear of the Miles Collier Collections’ 1970 Fiat TC-R 1000 Berlina Corsa. Photo: David SantiagoThis 1970 Fiat TC-R 1000 Berlina Corsa once belonged to Alfred S. Cosentino, who founded the FAZA (Fiat Abarth Zagato Allemano) racing team. The team’s livery is painted on the car. Photo: David SantiagoRacing driver Gunnar Jeannette suiting up before going out in the 1970 Fiat. Photo: David SantiagoA study in contrasts: the petite 1970 Fiat TC-R 1000 Berlina Corsa following a Shelby Cobra onto the track. Photo: David SantiagoThe 1970 Fiat TC-R 1000 Berlina Corsa in full attack mode on the track at Targa 66. Photo: David SantiagoThe Porsche 907 pulling out of the pits for its first track run since completion of a multi-year restoration. Photo: Johnny MilesThe 2196cc, flat-eight air-cooled engine in the Porsche 907. Photo: David SantiagoTwo successful but differing approaches to motor racing: the 1970 Fiat TC-R 1000 Berlina Corsa and the 1968 Porsche 907. Photo: Johnny MilesFiring up the 1963 Corvette Grand Sport. Photo: David SantiagoGunnar Jeannette unleashing the full power of the Corvette Grand Sport on the track. Photo: David SantiagoSeeing the Corvette Grand Sport on the track makes one think about the success this car could have had if G.M. had lifted its ban on racing earlier. Photo: David SantiagoThe Miles Collier Collections’ 1969 Porsche 908-2 Flunder. Photo: David SantiagoGunnar Jeannette in the 908-2 Flunder passing an Elan DP01 Mazda Prototype. Photo: Johnny MilesThe flat-eight air-cooled engine in the Porsche 908-2 Flunder. Photo: Johnny MilesGunnar Jeannette behind the wheel of the 1958 Scarab Sports-Racer. Photo: Johnny MilesThe Scarab on the track at Palm Beach International Raceway. Photo: Johnny MilesA 1991 Benetton B191 Formula 1 car, powered by a Series V Ford HB V8 engine. This particular car (B191-07) was restored in the livery that the Benetton team used in the 1991 Italian Grand Prix. Photo: David SantiagoThis Jordan EJ13 Formula 1 car won the 2003 Brazilian Grand Prix, making it the last Ford Cosworth-powered Formula 1 car to win a race. Photo: Johnny MilesWhenever the Jordan Formula 1 car took to the track, its distinctive shriek attracted a big crowd. Photo: Johnny MilesA Leyton House liveried Porsche 962. Photo: Johnny MilesThis image shows the diversity of the cars at Targa 66, from a Lola T70 Spyder to a Ferrari 1512 Formula 1 racecar to a recent Porsche GT3. Photo: Johnny MilesA Lola T70 Mark 3B on the track. Photo: David SantiagoA vintage Formula 5000 racer leads a Porsche 910 through a turn at Palm Beach International Raceway. Photo: David SantiagoOne of three Ferrari 1512 Formula 1 cars made between 1964 and 1965. Photo: Johnny MilesThe 1.5-liter V12 in this Ferrari 1512 made the most wonderful noise as it raced around the track at Targa 66. Photo: Johnny Miles
