Ferraris are always welcome at Castle Combe. The Club has an excellent and long relationship with the circuit owners and I suppose it was to be expected that our second formula classic race would be held at this venue. Would it be enough of a “draw” however to attract a decent entry for what is a very new concept? On the day we put eighteen cars on the grid which was fine and, given the venue, really quite encouraging.

As before we had three classes. Class 1 for the older V6 & V12 engined cars, Class 2 for the V8 and flat 12 cars in standard (PMFC O class) trim and Class 3 for cars with light modifications. All were on road tyres and were at least capable of an MOT pass. Many were driven to and from the circuit with the air conditioning on and the radio playing although this was not mandatory (the driving not the ICE).

It was clear from the early laps of practice that many had raised their game after our first ever classic race at Donington. Most improved possibly was David Wild. His QV London-prepared 308 GTB sounded really sharp and after some instruction from John Stevens David was really “on it”. His deserved reward was pole position which with so little experience was a great effort.

Next up was William Jenkins in another QV London-prepared car. Both are lightly modified cars in class 3. Position three on the grid was Graham Reeder who, once again, had been entrusted with Nicky Paul-Barron’s class 2 328 GTB. The car had seen many great days at the circuit in the past and with Graham’s local knowledge much was expected. PMFC racer Mike Furness was next up also in a class 2 328 GTB. Then we had a pair of Mondial drivers, Nick Taylor and Jon Goodwin, both driving with great verve. Positions 7 to 11 were filled by Richard Atkinson-Willes' 308 GT4, Mike Spicer’s 308 GTB, Richard Allen’s 328 GTB, John Shirley’s Mondial and Peter Everingham’s 328 GTS.

The remainder were an interesting bunch starting with Gareth Williams in his father’s '64 GTO clone fresh from Goodwood, Ray Hanson’s 512 Testarossa, Greame Park’s 308 GT4, Chris Drake’s 250 GTO “kit car” (his words not mine), Stuart Anderson’s gorgeous 250 TR replica, Attril Shaw-Thorpe’s 308 GT4 and, last but not least, Colin Campbell’s 246 GT.

From the start the extra power of the Jenkins' 308 got him over Avon Rise first from David Wild and Mike Furness. Reeder tucked into P4 but then got ahead of Furness into the first chicane. Next up were the Taylor and Goodwin Mondials followed by Richard Allen’s 328. Peter Everingham had enjoyed a great start but it did not last and at the end of lap one he was in P8.

Places at the front end remained pretty static throughout the race, although the gaps were not large, and there was some committed driving to watch. Mid-pack was more interesting, with Mike Spicer and Atkinson-Willes both getting past Evers by lap 4. In the older cars Stuart Anderson’s TR initially led before the Williams '64 GTO got into its stride. Stuart’s car had been slightly off song in practice and after a bit of fettling he found some 5 secs for the race. Others too found time as the laps passed.

When lapping closely the old cars were a delight to watch. Anderson in particular evoking memories of Goodwood only the week-end before. There were little dices through the pack and the ten laps seemed to pass all too quickly. Class winners all with fastest laps in class were William Jenkins on 1.22.44, Graham Reeder 1.23.32 and Gareth Williams 1.29.64. To compare this unkindly with our fastest 360 Challenge drivers in the mid 1.10s would be missing the point. In fact if anything the difference underlines the need for these classic races. All drivers are trying hard and having fun.

To the class winners my congratulations and to all thanks for coming – hope you had a blast, please tell your Ferrari friends and please come again. Oh, by the way, there were no protests, no accidents, no contact and no mechanical retirements.

Hillclimbers' traditional post-race greeting

Next year looks like four races in the UK with possibly one overseas. The regulations such as they are will be tightened a little but the formula is about right already. If you have ever wanted to race an older road going Ferrari (and that surely is most of you) on a tight budget with similar minded and friendly people, without great commitment to teams, testing, tyres, development etc. this is for you. Don’t miss the opportunity.