Targa 66 was started in 1991 by Brian Redman as an annual event for owners of vintage and modern high-performance and collector cars who do not necessarily wish to race them, but who like to drive at speed under controlled conditions, in the company of others with like interests.
Examples of members' cars include:
- Ferrari: Daytona, 275 GTC, 512M, F40, F 50, 348, 355
- Porsche: 962/956/917/910/550A/Speedster
- Jaguar: "D" type, "E" type, XJR7
- Chevron: B15/B20/B16/B19/B21/B36
- Lola: T70 Mk III/IIIB/T296/210
- IndyCars: Penske, Lola, March
This year's event was held Saturday, Feb. 20. About 40 Space Coast Porsches left the Sam's parking lot in Melbourne, Florida, at 7 a.m. for the drive down to Palm Beach International Raceway. We picked up another 10 cars at the rest stop on I-95 near Vero Beach. But before we arrived at PBIR, we were in a for a special treat: a private tour of the Wilson Collection.
Larry Wilson is collector and driver with a warehouse of some special cars. His immaculate storage facility consisted of three large rooms. A European Vintage room contained dozens of automotive jewels including Jaguars, Lotuses, Porsches, Austin Healys, Mercedes and more. The second room contained examples of American muscle. And the third room (the race room) was fully of vintage race cars.
A look at the Porsches in the European Vintage room of the Wilson Collection. (Image: David Kelly)
In the race room was the Ford GT40 that won Le Mans in 1966. In the parking lot on a trailer was the Ferrari that it beat! It was on a trailer because it was on the way to PBIR to participate in Targa 66, where we watched it being driven. Is that cool or what?
We took the 5-mile drive from the Wilson Collection to PBIR and were greeted by a large throng of people: vintage race cars and their teams, spectators and several hundred people there to run a 5K around the perimeter of the track. It was like a carnival.
Now 50 cars strong, our Space Coast caravan dominated the car club parking area. I ran into a member of the Gold Coast region from nearby Palm Beach. He was amazed at our participation in the event, being only one of two drivers from his Club. Go Space Coast!
For a contribution of $35 to help raise money for charity, we were allowed to drive a few laps on the race track during the lunch break. The first 15 minutes were follow-the-leader parade laps, while the last 15 minutes were little more spirited. It was fun to be on track with all the P cars.
The Porsches take the track at Targa 66. (Image: David Kelly)
Our group broke up for the drive home. Some went to lunch then home on the back roads. I lead a smaller group straight back home up I-95.
It was a great day with perfect weather, beautiful cars, fun with friends and money raised for charity. Who could ask for more?
