Ferrari Maserati Racing Days Are Back on Track

Peter Giddings piloted his beautiful 1953 Maserati 250 F to a pair victories in the historic Drum Brake category. (Photo: Michael Kehl)

Friday wasn’t much fun, but the weather was more cooperative on Saturday and fans got to see what they came for at the Ferrari Maserati Racing Days.

A day after the remnants of tropical storm Cindy pelted Lime Rock Park with a steady stream of rain, Ferraris, Maseratis and some Alfa Romeos, too, were back on track at Lime Rock Park, delighting fans with their unique sense of style and speed.

The faithful were treated to not one, but two races each for the two Shell Ferrari Maserati Historic Challenge groups and the Ferrari Challenge.

The diverse display of historic cars from the Drum Brake group included Grand Prix cars from the pre-war (a 1930s Alfa Romeo 8C/35) and post-war periods (a Maserati 250 F) and some of the most famous Ferraris and Maseratis from the 1950s and early 1960s such as a Maserati 300 S and 200 SI and Ferrari 250 Tour de France models along with a Ferrari 212 Cal Spyder.

Giddings drove his 1953 Maserati 250 F to the victory in each of the Drum Brake races.

The Disc Brake group was also spiced with very appealing cars including a “birdcage” Maserati, a trio of Ferrari 512 BB/LMs and 308 GT Berlinettas and a Ferrari 250 GTOs. Todd Morici won both Disc Brake races in one of those 512 BB/LMs, passing Jim Fuchs, also in a 512 BB/LM, for the lead in each feature.

The first Challenge race went down to the wire between Kurt Buchwald and 2004 series champion Emmanuel Anassis. Anassis led the first 21 laps before Buchwald moved into the lead with four laps remaining, finishing 1.187 seconds in front.

Buchwald led the first 36 laps in the second race, but fell just short of victory as Anassis edged him at the finish by .078 seconds.