FERRARICOMPETITIONRESULTS
CompRes DEREK JOHNSTON TAKES HIS 458 ITALI A CHALLENGE TO VICTORY AT SILVERSTONE
ISSUE 063 APRIL 2011
CompRes Chevy Chase, Leeds Road, Selby, North Yorkshire YO8 4JH T: +44 (0) 1757-702 053 F: +44 (0) 1757-290 547 E: cs.man@btinternet.com
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FERRARICOMPETITIONRESULTS FERRARI F1 FORTUNES IMPROVE IN TURKEY
Bay hillclimb event is covered in detail. The brilliant Silverstone race meeting, where the Ferrari Classic and Ferrari Open series had their first outings of the season, came right at the end of the month meaning there was insufficient time to gather the allimportant images together to accompany the race reports. We shall make amends in the May issue, when we shall be covering not only Silverstone but also the two-day Harewood hillclimb and, if time allows, the big Donington Park race meeting as well. Plus, of course, all the usual gossip and chit-chat.
RACE TROPHIES The organising of trophies for our PFfc and PFO series is not THE NEXT EDITION straightforward and perhaps a For the first time this year, a word of explanation will help to Ferrari driver was on the podium This issue, as you will no show why. at the Turkey GP. Although doubt notice, is somewhat leaner Until the closing date for Fernando Alonso was on the than usual. April was not a busy entries for a race meeting – and lowest step, his pace – he was month for Ferrari competition in many cases after this date – only a couple of seconds behind although the important Bouley we are unsure how many Webber at the end - should competitors there will be in give a confidence boost to WHAT’S ON each class. This number the factory. Despite the determines how many class shaky start to the 2011 MAY 14 Harewood Hillclimb 1 awards need to be obtained season it looks as though the and since the closing date is Italian car’s performance is 14 Harewood Dinner: Monk usually only a couple of weeks now at least matching the Fryston Hall Hotel prior to the date of the race McLaren and Mercedes even 15 Harewood Hillclimb 2 meeting, there is insufficient if there is some way to go to time to arrange the awards catch up with Red Bull. The thrills and spills of 28/29 Donington Park: Pirelli Ferrari and complete the engraving. To avoid wasting resources F1 this season, enhanced formula classic and Pirelli by purchasing more trophies immeasurably by Pirelli’s Ferrari Open than we require, the only amazing tyre characteristics, 28 Prescott Hillclimb method we can use is to send are proving to be hugely out the awards as soon as watchable. The BBC’s TV JUNE 4/5 Shelsley Walsh Hillclimb possible after the races. We coverage of the races, hope that competitors will particularly in HD format, is understand why we have to truly superb. 15 Snetterton: FOC Track Day do this. There will We at CompRes are just occasionally be exceptions to aching to use our celebratory 18/19 Doune Hillclimb this system, notably at the red cover to mark Ferrari’s overseas rounds. first victory of the season!
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Photo: SwiftyPix
“Zandvoort: the seaside town is lively.” As no doubt Vance Kearney might agree!
ZANDVOORT The first of our overseas race meetings, at Zandvoort on 1st / 3rd July, is looming up and entry forms will be despatched to all registered competitors in the next week or so. Those who have previously raced at Holland’s premier venue will not need reminding what a superb circuit Zandvoort is. Apart from the double-header motor racing there are lots of peripheral attractions. The seaside town is lively with many good restaurants and Amsterdam, with its unique atmosphere, is only a short drive or train journey away. There will be testing on the Friday and I have arranged with the organisers that Sunday’s Ferrari race will be timed to enable everyone to catch their evening ferry back to the UK without difficulty. Expect huge
spectator crowds packing the grandstands for this popular Festival event. As we go to print we are awaiting the finalised timetable for the racing but this will be posted out, along with the entry forms and other information, the instant it is available. In the meantime I suggest that if you haven't already done so, you make your travel and accommodation arrangements pronto!
JOHNNY NEEDS A FAST CAR? Johnny Needs a Fast Car is the title of one of the tracks on rock star Chris Rea’s incomparable album Espresso Logic. Perhaps if you were to substitute ‘Chris’ for ‘Johnny’ the title wouldn’t be quite so apposite. The reason I say this? My spy in the west of England tells me that a friend of his was caught speeding and was obliged to attend a ‘Speed Awareness’ course. Said friend was surprised but delighted to meet Chris Rea, attending the very same police course . . . Now, of all the nation’s top singer-songwriters, you would think Chris would be the last to need help with ‘speed awareness’!
PIRELLI TYRES Our good friends at Pirelli are very much in the news just now. This is not just because they are livening up Formula 1 by producing some amazing compounds that, as requested by the governing body, degrade significantly and lead to more tyre changes. Nearer to home, and thinking about our own Club series in particular, they have pulled out all the stops to make sure that drivers have available all the tyres they need. At Silverstone at the end of April, two fully laden Pirelli trucks were in the paddock and during the course of Friday and Saturday, Shaun Marriott and his two assistants fitted over 120 tyres to our Ferraris. Just for the record, this compares with their journey to Snetterton the following day when their fitting crew, with an extra man on duty, fitted just a dozen tyres to the GT Cup runners! This big difference gives some idea of how buoyant our numbers were at the first rounds of our two race series. Tyres for the new 458 Italia Challenge cars are in short supply, the Ferrari factory having ring-fenced the initial Pirelli output for their own Italian Ferrari Challenge. However, an adequate supply of rubber was specially shipped in for us to ensure there were no problems at the Silverstone meeting. We have now been advised that, for the time being at least, the 225/45 x 16” PZero C which is used by most of our Classic 308s and 328s, is no longer available. Pirelli have offered two alternative options: a 205/45 x 16” PZero C or an Asimmetrico high-performance PZero 225/50 x 16” road tyre. At Silverstone, both Ben Cartwright and I tried out the Asimmetrico on the front of our 328GTB and 308GTB Ferraris
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respectively. We came to the same conclusion: the front end of the car tended to ‘wash out’ and grip was impaired compared to the PZero Cs. Ben reckoned his lap times suffered by at least a second compared with his normal front tyres. There was also considerable degrading of the rubber, the tread being covered in toffee-like marbles. In fact Biba, my little granddaughter, said to me, “Pops, if these things are like toffees, can we eat them?”
The man replied, "She should. She was standing on the porch." A short time later, the blonde came to the door to collect her money. "You're finished already?" he asked. "Yes," the blonde answered, "and I had some paint left over, so I gave it two coats.” Impressed, the man reached in his pocket for the $50. "And by the way," the blonde added, "that's not a Porch, it's a Ferrari."
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I believe that the 205 PZero C option will be the one to go for when drivers’ existing stocks run out. They may drop the front ride-height a bit but I think the performance will be very similar to the slightly wider section PZero Cs we are used to. In the meantime, rest assured that I am doing all I can to persuade Pirelli to bring pressure to bear on Milan to manufacture a batch of 225 section tyres for us.
BLONDE PAINT JOB A blonde, wanting to earn some money, decided to hire herself out as a handyman-type and started canvassing a wealthy neighbourhood. She went to the front door of the first house and asked the owner if he had any jobs for her to do. "Well, you can paint my porch. How much will you charge?" The blonde said, "How about 50 dollars?" The man agreed and told her that the paint and ladders that she might need were in the garage. The man's wife, inside the house, heard the conversation and said to her husband, "Does she realise that the porch goes all the way around the house?"
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5 6 9 10 11 13 15 19 20 21 23 27 28 30 31
MAY
John Proc tor Chris Niarc h Keith Spru os les Simon Bart holomew Mike Haig h Hilary Tom li Dudley Ma n son-Styrro n Phillipe E vra Tony Attw rd oo Derek Joh d nston Ted Redd ick Nick Cartw right Stuart An derson Peter Ratc liffe Tony Jone s Andy Dun can Chris Com pto Tristan Sim n Goddard p Martin Mc son Glone Ray Stewa rt Joe Spice r Mark Cale Duncan M cKay Tim Walk er David Bark er Pauline G oodwin Wayne Ma rrs Karen ‘Ma rrs’
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JUNE
Nathan K inch Jack Dwa ne Edward B ou Tracey Ha rn yn Ray Hanso es n Keith God ber Richard S tafford Sally Maso n-Styrron Jon Good win Leon Bach eli Bernard H er ogarth Peter Hit chman Gavin Shir le Wendy-An y n Marshall Geraldina N Dave Clark ickless Ray Fergu so Martin Ha n rt Grahame Bryant Len Wats on
A Great Start to the 2011 PFHC season with very strong entries for the opening rounds proves you cannot damp down the enthusiasm of our Club members to get out there and drive the wheels off their Ferraris. Pump prices may be frightening right now, but you only need cruise a bit slower and cut down by a bottle of decent wine a week and you won’t feel the difference! Bouley Bay and the Jersey visit, reported in this issue, was wonderful with perfect weather and plenty of opportunity to explore the island and visit the beaches. There was much eating, drinking and socialising too. Petrol was as low as 116p for 95 RON and I filled my 355 with 97 at 120p. Pity about their narrow roads and restrictive speed limits, so little wonder there is so much motor sport activity on Jersey – not just hillclimbing, but rallying and beach racing too. Loton Practice Day in April pulled at least three of our PFHC drivers – you know the sort, anxious to put one over their fellow competitors when we turn out there later in the year. Perhaps I should name and shame them: Mike Spicer with his new 328GTB, Sean Doyle with his GT4, and Jon Goodwin with a new secret weapon of which more anon. To be fair to Jon, he has been taking part in this Loton practice day for as long as I can remember. Rumour has it that both Spicer and Doyle put in some stunning times. A brand new 458 Italia was the secret weapon that Jon Goodwin showed up with for the Loton Park Practice Day. A red one, of course, though it has since had a two tone paint job with black roof and a splodge of black up the side somewhere – sounds awful but hearsay has it that it
looks great. Jon, still learning the car and the complex electronic systems, was some way off his best 355 times, but this is just the beginning. No doubt miffed to see Nick Taylor and John Marshall wiping out a lot of his Ferrari class records set with the F355 some years back, you can be sure Jon is getting ready to claim some Taking sugar beet slime off a 458 Italia is a job back this season. for professionals. RA has his car thoroughly The 458 Italia, spring-cleaned for the start of the season. although running on ordinary road tyres, is a Jersey States authority do not devastatingly fast car only held have Trading Standards Officers back a little, maybe, by size. It is as there were one or two short as big as a 550 Maranello despite measures apparently! looking small because of that A new 458 for me too! I idyllic bodystyle. took delivery of mine last October Greengrocer Goodwin (see pic) did a roaring trade in Jersey Royals on the morning of our departure. Before breakfast he nipped down to the St Helier market and bought a huge sack of the local spuds and was soon serving them up out of the open boot of his 550. Good job that the
Jersey Royal Car Boot Sale.
and before I had done many miles the snows came and then some months later the country roads around where I live in Suffolk were covered in mud from sugar beet farming. By the end of March the car had only done around 700 miles and most of that at a leisurely pace. Put the Manattino in slush mode and just driving it as an auto really is sublime – the ride is streets better than any Ferrari I have driven before, and the car is very quiet too. By the time I got to the Silverstone Track Day the odometer was still under a 1000 miles and I had not been above 5000rpm or even been fast around a corner. Understandably I went out on track with some trepidation, but instantly it was so easy. The 458 did around 100 miles and was busy giving many passengers a twirl around. I didn’t go above 6500, shifting up early, and the car was simply
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Photo: Richard Allen
RA’s HILLCOMMENT
The F355 has been attracting a very good press lately even with speculation that it is the successor to the Dino 246, though I think there are just too many out there for very high values to evolve. I have just done over 600 miles in my 355 on the Jersey outing and even though most of my Ferrari driving lately has been in the astonishing 458, the 355 still seems a terrific Ferrari to own. It looks great, sounds wonderful, and handles superbly with no fettling necessary for speed hillclimbing or track days, unlike many earlier tipos. 95 RON is not a popular choice amongst the Ferrari fraternity. Surprisingly, though, if you look in a F355, 550, or 575 handbook it says the fuel required is 95 RON, not that ultra expensive VPower you are shoving in. I ran my F355 for many years on 95, doing Track Days and Hillclimbs and it was quite happy. The clever part about these modern cars though is that all those exhaust sensors sniff the engines breath and set the ignition advance curve to suit. It is then worthwhile using the better fuel for ultimate performance when competing, but with the wide price gap between the two grades of fuel it is not cost effective for road use. Engine Oil recommended for most Ferraris recently and used by the majority of servicing agents is fully synthetic Shell Helix 5w/40, though in some of the handbooks it mentions using Helix 10w/60 if engaging in extensive track day activity. The 458 runs
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10w/60 all the time, and many road cars now use a very thin full synthetic 0w/40. This all started back in the mid seventies when Mobil were first in to the market with a fully synthetic oil. Their Mobil 1 at the time was 5w/50. They were soon followed by Castrol, whose Syntron was 10w/60. Castrol at the time were saying the heavy grade was necessary for motorsport use. This Syntron was later called Castrol RS and nowadays Castrol Edge. The RS version was used extensively in Ferrari Challenge cars and other racing activity until inevitably Shell joined in with their Helix 10w/60. For hillclimbing, though, the ordinary recommended oil is best.
Owners’ Club Dinner on Saturday night. Doune is like Bouley Bay: a spectacular hillclimb and well worth the trip to Scotland. Take the time to travel up Thursday and Friday and we have the possibility of distillery visits, steam train rides, or just taking in the superb scenery. The booking form for all this will be with you soon. Holman’s Horsepower or rather two of them to be precise (see pic) en Francais c’est un deux chevaux. Citroen 2CV racing is very popular nowadays and is rumoured to provide even lower cost racing than our own Formula Classic. Andrew’s 2CV is due for a rosso paint job and a deal of race preparation for 2012. He plans to enter the 25hr 2CV race at Snetterton, and is rumoured to have signed up Richard Prior and other young hotshoes.
Gurston Down comes up in July and their new meeting secretary told me recently that they have made one or two improvements, with some super new timing displays at the startline area. This sort of stuff always makes for more interest for spectators, but can be off-putting for those in the startline queue seeing a fellow competitor has just dialled up a seemingly unbeatable time. They have also put additional hard surfacing down for the Karrusel escape road in case you fancy going Ooh la la! Écurie Holman contemplate a rosso in there with some paint job for their Citröen 2CV race car, indiscretion. Gurston destined for the 2012 season. are running their usual Hillclimb School and whilst you 25th Anniversary year in have missed the May 10th date, 2011 for the PFHC and very soon they do have June 7 and July 12. now registered competitors will be Doune in June will soon be upon us and I make no apology for another plug. This is a very important event in our calendar because we are joining up with our very enthusiastic Scottish Area Groups - they turn out in big numbers to support us and get to drive the hill in the lunchbreak. Ferrari dealer Graypaul, from Edinburgh, are now supporting the Doune hillclimb too – this is a big Ferrari day and organisers Lothian Car Club really make us welcome. Chris Butler has worked over the impressive Dunblane Hydro where we have accommodation reserved at special prices, and our Ferrari
allocated car stickers and clothing carrying a special badge denoting the Ferrari Hillclimb Championship’s 25 years. You will be contacted soon for your size requirements.
Photo: Richard Allen
trepidation, but instantly it was so easy. The 458 did around 100 miles and was busy giving many passengers a twirl around. I didn’t go above 6500, shifting up early, and the car was simply stunning, with cornering and braking capabilities that are simply astonishing compared to any other road car I have yet driven and, yes, it does become very noisy driven on full throttle. Unlike Jon, I do not plan to campaign this car on the hills as my wallet is shorter than his – I may though have a go somewhere as I am sure it will be very tempting.
PIRELLI FERRARI HILLCLIMB CHAMPIONSHIP: ROUND 2 BOULEY BAY 25th April 2011
Over the sea to Jersey!
O
UR BIENNIAL sojourn to Jersey for the hillclimb at Bouley Bay is always very special writes JOHN SWIFT. It’s a nice combination: a day’s fairly serious competition at a tricky venue with a relaxing two or three days on a lovely island in company with a band of Ferrari chums. But why biennial? Because the event,
organised by the Jersey Motorcycle & Light Car Club, is an Easter Bank Holiday affair. When Easter is early, the weather can be inhospitable on the island and is best avoided. However, when the Bank Holiday is late in the month, conditions are usually pleasant, and this was very much the case this time. There were 13 competitors (the 14th, Jon Goodwin, was to fly in later), together with family and friends, who embarked on the Condor Ferries fast ferry from Poole
to Jersey on Good Friday afternoon. Built in Australia, Condor’s vessels, the ‘Vitesse’ and ‘Express’, that operate on the UK/Channel Islands route are quite spectacular. Each have a displacement of 5,000 tons, and can carry 800 passengers and 200 cars. Powered by four Ruston diesel engines, the boats have a maximum speed of 40 knots which equates to a spanking 46mph. Just before Easter, Condor announced that both vessels had an “issue”. This wasn’t fully explained but the result was that only three of
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Photo: Martin McGlone
an “issue”. This wasn’t fully explained but the result was that only three of the four engines would be in use and therefore the scheduled timetable wouldn’t apply. Sceptics amongst us reckoned that Condor were using the claimed “issue” as a ruse to reduce fuel consumption and therefore cut the considerable diesel costs. The ensuing delays weren’t much of a problem on the way out, but coming back were a bit of a pain for some of us. After disembarkation the Ferrari contingent lined up just outside the port to be led, in brisk military fashion, by Chris Robin – the owner of the Hampshire Hotel in downtown St Helier. The Hampshire is a three star hotel with 42 rooms boasting a sizeable swimming pool, large restaurant, and well-stocked bar.
Although the chef is unlikely to win a Master Chef competition and the cramped car park was a daily hazard for the large number of Ferraris, the efficiency and attentiveness of the staff, not to mention the outstanding value for money of the deal negotiated on our behalf by Jon Goodwin, more than made up for any deficiencies. The leisure days of Saturday and Sunday gave everyone the Mike Spicer’s 328GTB lacked a full complement of opportunity to gears. Here he tries to solve the problem. unwind and sample what Jersey had to offer exactly the same as at the local before concentrating, on Easter Tesco back home! Monday, and For the competition the the real following day, there were some purpose of our adjustments to the Ferrari line-up visit. as a result of mechanical In problems with the machinery. theory, a grand John Marshall’s winter GT4 Ferrari Easter project, which has been covered Day Luncheon in some detail in CompRes, is was to have taking longer than planned and taken place at failed to make an appearance. the Waters He and Wendy Ann were obliged Edge Hotel at to share the latter’s 328GTB. Bouley Bay. Mike Spicer’s new acquisition Many of us – a nicely presented 328 in bright assembled at giallo livery - managed to reach the Pearl the port but lacked a full Centre in the complement of useful gears. 1st, morning for 3rd, and 5th appeared to be coffee and selectable but 2nd , 4th and, L to R: Richard Allen, Jon Goodwin, Lorraine, Chris and Peter Hitchman, and your scribe. maybe a trawl importantly, reverse seemed to
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Photo: Richard Allen
Photo: Martin McGlone
“The Ferraris were allocated a position at the top of the hill - the very best place to be.”
around the extensive jewellery and watch departments as a prelude to the promised lunch. However, when your scribe, Mrs Swift, RA and photographer par excellence Martin McGlone arrived at Bouley there was a singular absence of any other Ferraristi. Nevertheless, we managed to enjoy an excellent meal on our own, only momentarily pausing to wonder where everyone else could be. Some may have been busy buying bags of Jersey Royal potatoes – certainly Jon Goodwin was seen packing loads of them in the boot of his 550. It didn’t seem to your writer to be worth all the bother; the price was
Photos: Martin McGlone
be off the agenda. Mike tried his best to correct the problem, spending some time underneath the jacked-up car in the Hampshire car park, but all to no avail. Sportingly, Richard Prior came to the rescue, offering to share his F355 (which, after all, is ex-Mike Spicer and therefore familiar to him). Also fearing some transmission problems was Pauline Goodwin, despite her 328 having received last minute attention from Nick Davis of R&D the evening before departure. The snag was the car’s reluctance to go into 2nd gear but Pauline felt that perhaps she could make it work on the day. The rest of the Ferraris all seemed to be in proper working order although the Swift F355 had occasional starter motor hiccups which Ian Button, professional engineer and Ferrari expert, diagnosed as “knackered brushes”. It was an indecently early start on Easter Monday morning; we needed to get to the hill before 7.30am as the approach roads were closed to the public from then on. There was a last minute panic in the hotel car park when Richard Prior’s F355 refused to fire up. Richard and co-driver Spicer systematically checked every electrical connection and finally the engine burst into life to their great relief. The Ferraris were allocated a position at the top of the hill. This is the very best place to be since when not on call (which is most of the time) one can view proceedings from the eagle’s eye vantage point. It’s also handy for the catering and, just as important, the loos. The section of road on which the cars were parked slopes downhill and invariably a Ferrari, at some juncture, rolls gently down the tarmac to kiss the car in front. In 2009 it was the writer’s 355 that broke loose; this time it was Jon Goodwin’s big 550 that threatened to spear its neighbour with its timing strut. One of the features of the Bouley Bay event is the hillside
commentary. A pair of local lads provide continuous informed comment on proceedings in a side splitting laconic fashion. It’s sometimes slightly cruel and perhaps not to everyone’s taste, but it’s certainly funny. The previous time we were at Bouley, when Pauline G provided the two chaps with details of Jon G’s upcoming exploits in space in Richard Branson’s project, we were kept in stitches by their comments such as “Here comes Jon Goodwin. His 550 seems to be wagging its tail, James, as it comes into Radio corner. Could be his wallet is loose in the boot.” This year the commentary was a little less mischievous Top to bottom: Andrew Holden at the start; Richard Prior sets off to attack the Spicer Shed; Sean Doyle at Café; John Marshall at Les Platons.
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Photos: Martin McGlone
Top to bottom: Richard Allen heading for 3rd overall; John Swift braking for Radio Corner; Peter Hitchman brings his 550 Maranello over the line.
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but just as amusing. The running order for the Ferrari class selected by the organisers was difficult to follow since it didn’t follow competition number sequence. We eventually got the hang of it although spectators may have had some trouble. The format for the meeting was two practice runs followed, after the lunch break, by two official runs. We were promised a third run if time allowed, which meant that any delays could scupper the chances. In P1, Nick Taylor, in his sonorous 348GTC, vied with Richard Prior (F355) for fastest time. Only 0.03 seconds separated them with Prior on 51.91. Richard Allen, third fastest in his well known silver F355, was about a second slower just ahead of Andrew Holman. Holman, although given ‘pole position’ in the running order, was sensibly playing himself in and trying to dispel any memories of his disastrous experience of two years before. Spicer and Swift were much of a muchness in their F355s and Pauline demonstrated that she had mastered any gear changing difficulties in her 328GTB. The commentators mused as to whether John Marshall might break the Ferrari record later in the day, forgetting that John had been armed with a 430 Scuderia on his last appearance here. There were three Ferrari newcomers to Bouley Bay: Chris and Lorraine Hitchman (F355 and 328GTS respectively) and Sean Doyle with his immaculate and vociferous 308GT4. All, particularly Sean, got down to the business of finding the best way to attack this difficult ‘climb. In P2, Nick Taylor showed us all a clean pair of heels, taking his 348GTC up in a resounding 50.36 – well clear of the opposition. Jon Goodwin made an impressive drive, stopping the clocks at 51.68, a time that was to be the best he achieved all day and almost equal to an improving Mike Spicer. Talking about Mike Spicer, a feature of Bouley Bay’s first
Photo: SwiftyPix
feature of Bouley Bay’s first corner is the infamous ‘Spicer Shed’, a marshals’ hut that the aforesaid Spicer managed to comprehensively damage on a previous occasion. For 2011 the organisers have replaced the now tatty original with a brand new Spicer Mark 2 structure. It looks a bit more substantial than its predecessor and it might pay Mike to give it a wide berth in future. The lunch break was an opportunity to join the queue at the burger bar for sustenance. The jolly lady serving the bacon baps and chips is normally in charge of the gorillas at Jersey Zoo so coping with hungry Ferrari drivers was similar but perhaps easier. The interval also gave a brief rest for the hard worked Martin McGlone, who had been charging from one vantage point to another recording the morning’s Ferrari action on Swifty’s old Minolta. There was no respite for Richard Prior and Anne Swift who cobbled up what they believed to be fair handicap targets. The serious stuff began shortly after two o’clock. The track was now in perfect condition with the warm sun getting the surface up to ideal temperature. Peter Hitchman led the Ferraris away, posting a decent time of 63.76 in his silver 550 Maranello – slightly slower than his best
practice time. The rest of his not revealing that he drives a taxi family followed: Lorraine carved a full-time in his day job! useful chunk off her previous, with Conditions seemed to be 60.04 and Chris a whopping 3+ slightly slower for the second runs seconds, to record 56.78. Also but most drivers tried desperately improving were Wendy Ann to improve their times. Peter Marshall (61.76) and husband Hitchman chopped a couple of John (55.10) in their shared 328. seconds off his previous (61.89), Pauline G recorded 54.11 – Lorraine H was marginally slower her best of the afternoon – just at 61.99, and husband Chris made pipping newcomer Sean Doyle’s a big improvement, now down to GT4 (54.31). Swift took his 355 to a 53.72 while Spicer improved to 51.72, a tad quicker than Jon Goodwin’s 550 time of 51.94. RA was consistent with a well judged 52.14, just shading Holman’s 52.45. Prior shaved another half second to record 51.37, a time good enough to be the best of the first officials. Taylor’s run went Coffee at the Pearl Centre. L to R: Jenny and Brian well until he reached Jackson, Anne Swift, Richard Allen, Pauline the Spicer Shed but Goodwin and her friend, Libby. then he locked up, scattering a bevy of officials as he 54.56. Both Mr and Mrs Marshall sorted things out. His time was a were slower this time, as was disappointing 58.56. Pauline G. Sean Doyle had a bit of fun Doyle and Swift were also with a spectator. “Is the Ferrari slower while Jon G almost your only car?” he was asked. replicated his first run time “What do you drive every day?” (51.92). Holman and Spicer were “Oh, I just take a cab,” he replied, also tardier than before although
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Photo: SwiftyPix
Some of the Ferrari visitors to the Pearl Centre on Easter Sunday.
Photos: Martin McGlone
Monday evening’s prize giving at the Hampshire Hotel. RA dispenses the trophies to Chris Hitchman (Handicap award) and Nick Taylor (Winner overall on scratch).
were slower this time, as was Pauline G. Doyle and Swift were also slower while Jon G almost replicated his first run time (51.92). Holman and Spicer were also tardier than before although the latter held on to his advantage. Just to prove it could be done, Allen sliced a whole second off his R1 time to record 51.23, a time good enough to move him into 3rd place. Then it was the battle for top honours, since we weren’t sure whether there would be sufficient time left before the 6 o’clock curfew to allow a third official. Prior got everything right and improved to 51.21, a slender two hundredths ahead of RA. Then Taylor, no doubt cursing his little contretemps on R1, blasted the GTC to a time of 50.52. But things weren’t yet over. The ever helpful Clerk of the Course decided that a third run was just possible if everyone was quick to take their position on the start line, and there were no accidents. So back down the hill we all went. Now the sun had lost its power and the track was cooling off. It seemed unlikely that there would be much change of fortune. And for most, this proved to be the case, although John Marshall speeded up impressively to post 54.70, as did Doyle with an excellent 53.87.
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Holman fancied a banzai last effort and got below 52 seconds, not good enough to move him ahead of RA’s 2nd run time. Then it was time for the top three shootout. Allen looked good until, reaching Radio Corner, he found a boxful of neutrals. Time: a maddening 53.33. Two to go. Prior was even quicker than before, stopping the clock at 50.54, just 2 hundredths off Taylor’s earlier time. With first place on scratch in the bag, Taylor set off from the start line at the Black Dog Pub with the leash off and the 348GTC wailing its music through the trees. It looked quick and the watches proved it: an error-free climb in 50.04, the fastest Ferrari time of the day. Although slightly shy of the 2009 Ferrari record time of 49.84, held jointly by Richard Prior (348ts) and John Marshall (430 Scuderia) it was a super effort on which to end the day. Later, back at the hotel, after we had carefully manipulated our Ferraris into the cramped car park, we scrubbed up for the prize-giving dinner. There was lots to talk about – mostly starting with “If only . . .” There were some brief speeches, when the exemplary staff at the Hampshire were given a well deserved round of applause. Chris Hitchman was announced as the winner of the Club Handicap whilst the Ferrari Driver of the Day
was the popular choice of Sean Doyle. Some Muppets thought it would be a good idea to celebrate the latter’s success by throwing him into the swimming pool but after Sean muttered “I don’t mind but I’m taking some of you in with me” they thought it wasn’t such a bright scheme after all. It was Nick Taylor’s night. He had not only won the event on scratch but had scooped the valuable 20 Championship points into the bargain – a perfect result. But it wasn’t all plain sailing for him, as I can reveal having occupied an adjacent room. Getting up for a little light relief after all the celebratory Champagne, he confused his bathroom door for the door into the vestibule outside. Before he could say “Oops!” he had locked himself out and, no doubt inappropriately dressed and with Fiona fast asleep, had to summon the concierge to open his room door to get back in. You can see the moral of this story, can’t you Nick? It isn’t good enough to be the fastest man on the hill. You’ve also got to be focussed on where the bathroom is.
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348GTC F355GTB F355 F355 F355GTB 550 Mar F355 308GT4 328GTB F355GTS 328GTB 328GTS 328GTB 550 Mar
Tipo
51.94 51.91 52.87 53.64 55.47 53.82 55.44 56.46 55.52 61.57 56.28 64.68 64.17 65.44
P1
50.36 51.65 52.03 53.01 52.67 51.68 56.69 55.54 54.64 60.03 54.68 60.89 62.62 63.41
P2
Richard Prior Nick Taylor Andrew Holman Sean Doyle Richard Allen Mike Spicer Pauline Goodwin Jon Goodwin Mark Hargreaves Jack Hargreaves Barrie Wood
Points after Round 2
Times for 64ft and Radio corner are taken from the fastest run.
Nick Taylor Richard Prior Richard Allen Andrew Holman Mike Spicer Jon Goodwin John Swift Sean Doyle Pauline Goodwin Chris Hitchman John Marshall Lorraine Hitchman Wendy A Marshall Peter Hitchman
Driver
Competitors indicated in BLUE are eligible for the Classic Cup
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14
Scr
50.52 51.21 51.23 52.74 52.83 51.92 54.88 54.56 54.63 54.56 56.14 59.93 61.99 61.89
Run 2
John Marshall Jeffrey Cooper John Swift Peter Wilson Chris Hitchman Lorraine Hitchman Julian Playford Wendy Ann Marshall Steve Routledge Peter Hitchman Tony Attwood
58.56 51.37 52.14 52.45 51.72 51.94 53.72 54.31 54.11 56.78 55.10 60.04 61.76 63.76
49.75 49.75 50.00 50.00 50.50 50.75 52.50 54.00 53.25 57.50 52.00 58.50 60.25 59.00
34 32 31 27 24 23 14 13 11 10 8
Run 1
H/cap
50.04 50.54 53.33 51.69 52.72 52.26 55.49 53.87 55.03 54.58 54.70 62.13 63.81 65.79
Run 3
8 7 7 6 6 5 4 4 3 3 2
2.64 2.74 2.52 2.54 2.86 2.81 2.86 2.61 2.67 2.95 2.58 2.87 2.82 3.39
64 ft
Pirelli Ferrari Hillclimb Championship – Round 2
BOULEY BAY HILLCLIMB 25 APRIL 2011
35.73 35.65 36.39 37.48 37.27 36.67 38.33 38.06 38.61 40.00 39.23 43.33 44.61 44.77
Radio
-0.5 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 -1.0 0.0 -4.5 -3.0 0.0 -3.0 -3.0 -3.0 -1.0
PEP % 49.79 50.54 51.23 51.69 51.72 51.40 53.72 51.45 52.49 54.56 53.06 58.13 59.91 61.27
PEP time
20 17 15 11 10 13 7 12 9 6 8 5 4 3
Pts
328GTB Ready to compete in Group 3 of the 2011 Pirelli Ferrari formula classic series 40,000 miles. Prepared and maintained by QV London. Good strong car (lapped Spa in 3:04 in 2008). Fantastic potential for further development. Not raced since 2009. All original trim, crema leather seats, etc and original wheels available for conversion back to superb road car.
ÂŁ36,000 or possible p/ex for 308GT4 Contact JOHN DAY on 07736 445921 or jday@londonreality.co.uk 13 CompRes
CompRes 14
QV LONDON FERRARI SPECIALISTS
GUDGEON PINS, TORSION BARS, SENSORS, TAPPET SHIMS, CLAMPS, SOLENOIDS, WINDSCREENS, FUEL PUMPS, THERMOSTATS, EXPANSION TANKS, AEROQUIP ROSES, SEAT BELTS, SWITCHES, WATER HOSE, CAM BELTS, PADS, CYLINDER LINERS, AIR CON,
RADIATORS, AXLE SHAFTS, CARBURETTORS, SILENT BLOCKS, OIL PIPES, GLASS, ROAD WHEELS, HELICOILS
DOORS, RELAYS, SEEGER RINGS, ENGINE BLOCKS, LIGHT UNITS, DROP GEARS, GRILLES ,
Unit 4, North Road, Winkfield, Nr Windsor, Berkshire SL4 4SY Tel: 01344 885500/Fax: 01344 885501 Email: qvlondon@btconnect.com Website: www.qv-london.com
SUMPS, CON RODS, BEARINGS, UPRATED & STANDARD DAMPERS, LIGHTS,
BORLA PERFORMANCE EXHAUST SYSTEMS, ECUs, VALVE GUIDES,
Q.V. FOR PARTS SERVICE REPAIRS CRANKSHAFTS, DISTRIBUTORS, AIRHORNS, BRAKE DISCS SPRINGS,
STEERING WHEELS, PISTON RINGS, INTERIOR TRIM, ANTI-ROLL BARS, SERVO UNITS, CAMSHAFTS, AIR BOXES, CROWN WHEEL & PINIONS, PARTS BOOKS, FLYWHEELS, DRY SUMP KITS, GEARBOX INTERNALS, SEAT ADJUSTERS, PISTONS, FUEL TANKS ALTERNATORS, BUMPERS MASTER CYLINDERS, DRAIN PLUGS, CYLINDER BARRELS, METERING DEVICES, BONNETS, LIGHTWEIGHT BODY PANELS, STARTER MOTORS, ADJUSTABLE WARM-UP REGULATORS, CARPETS, CARBON CANISTERS, OIL FILTERS, CAM PULLEYS, GEAR KNOBS, STUFF
Mike and Graham Reeder Performance and Specialist Cars
Maranello Ferrari Challenge Champions 1998 and 2000 Fixed Price Servicing - Race Preparation and Track Support - Tyres Supplied and Fitted Electronic Wheel Balancing - Personal Service Guaranteed
The Garage North Newnton Pewsey Wiltshire SN9 6JU Tel 01980 630327 Fax 01980 630015 E-mail enquiries: gcreeder@aol.com
Choose from a Turn Key Service to Technical Support On the day. Various Packages available
15 CompRes
WREN CLASSICS
‘The South’s Premier Preparers’ Contact: Steve Farthing Tel: 01747 852899 Fax: 01747 854988 enquiries@wrenclassics.com