FERRARI formula classic

The season's second race of the Club’s emergent new series, the formula classic, had 19 entrants for this 20 minutes race which utilised Oulton Park’s three-quarter length Fosters circuit.

Practice was completed under grey skies and a wet track, but without mishap or malady. Pole went to previous race winner Nicky Paul-Barron’s familiar 328GTB (Rosie) sharing the front row with Nick Taylor’s rapid Mondial t. Demonstrating equal capability on hillclimb or track, Jon Goodwin (Mondial t) shared row 2 with David Wild’s 308GTB, whilst David Barker proved just what excellent balance you can achieve in a 400GT and Bryn Williams (250GT/’64 GTO) and Stuart Anderson (250GTE/TRC) provided younger enthusiasts with a “history lesson” in their faithful recreations.

With almost 60 secs. separating pole from the rear of the grid, in the interests of safety maybe consideration should be given to introducing a "107%" ruling......

Come race time the track was still slithery but drying, and the rain had gone. Due to the poor quality of daylight competitors were requested to race with their lights illuminated and at flag fall Nick Taylor used his hillclimbing start technique to excellent effect, leading Jon Goodwin (another hillclimber) and David Wild into Old Hall. Poleman Nicky Paul-Barron had a poor start and dropped to 5th with John Swift (308GTB) just behind, up from eigth on the grid and his car running cleanly for once.

On lap 2 the group at the front was was Taylor, Goodwin, Wild, Spicer (328GTB) and P-B, the latter closing in on Spicer as they disappeared from view towards Island Bend. With the first three positions unchanged and covered by 4 seconds, Goodwin in particular was driving really well, demonstrating a superb line through Lodge.

By lap 5, Paul-Barron’s smooth lappery demoted first Spicer and then Wild but Taylor remained in the lead. With P-B taking a tighter line through Knickerbrook than Goodwin, he crested Deer Leap ahead and was now in full pursuit of race leader Taylor whom he caught on lap 7 and passed on the next lap.

Poor Swift, going well in sixth, had to retire in the pits when a crankshaft pulley bolt dropped off but there was fortunately no engine damage. This young man needs watching!

After 11 laps and conditions worthy of headlights Paul- Barron took the flag 3.2 secs ahead of Nick Taylor with David Wild a further 4 secs behind and Goodwin in fourth. Elsewhere Stuart Anderson drove his 250GTE/TRC with verve – exiting Lodge with controlled power oversteer on each lap and a deserving class win. David Barker’s 400GT went far better than many give these big 4 seaters credit for and, despite being lapped by race end, Bryn Williams' 250GT/64GTO looked very evocative on this historic track.

Retirements were few; save for the luckless Swift and Mel Walters whose 308GTS ended up in the gravel.

Oulton Park has never looked better – the Cheshire parkland circuit has received an excellent boost since its acquisition by Jonathan Palmer’s Motorsport Vision concern.

The formula classic was devised for members to have fun “on track” in their pre-348 Ferrari’s and talking to competitors post race proves it has definitely achieved this.

Click here to return to the Ferrari formula classic page.

About 1.83 headlights per car - not bad for old Fazzas in the wet

Nicky Paul-Barron and "Rosie" took pole..

...but hillclimber Nick Taylor took the lead at the start

Jon Goodwin demonstrates his normal attacking style

Variety and racing throughout the field exemplifies formula classic

Swifty went much better - until "electrical" troubles intervened

The replicas may be uncompetitive but they sure look good

N P-B took a superb win from Taylor

pics by Simon Cook & Paul/Fotografia Corse