Race Report - Races 4&5 - 2005 Ferrari formula classic - Club Racing Series'

Unlike the PMFC our formula classic races are attracting very decent grid sizes. At Snetterton it would again have been over twenty cars if it had not been for some no shows. As it was, eighteen cars qualified on a hot Sunday morning. Everyone was delighted to see the Grp 4-replica Daytona of Oliver Bryant at the head of the field. We have seen the car twice before in Ffc, both times running out a winner at Donington albeit closely chased by a 328 GTB. Oliver was out in his father’s car but he is a serious and talented racer with ambitions to European GT racing.

So the big bruiser Daytona was on pole from William Jenkins (308 GTB), John Pogson (328 GTB) and Gary Culver (328 GTB). This was another 'five director' meeting, two were racing, with Swifty in p6, Richard Allen in p10 and and also Club Secretary Peter Everingham, still with Katie Melua on the CD and the air con flat out, in p11 all present and correct. Our Chairman was also present (we don’t let him on the grid – too valuable, plus he may show everyone up) as were John & Mrs Warner (Finance Director) and hillclimber Christian Mineeff in Website Editor mode. We also had a racing virgin with Stuart Burrage in his Mondial t and most welcome he was too.

I might have mentioned it was a bit warm and the paddock hospitality provided by Jim and Janet Race was a popular watering hole. As always they did a great job and many mentioned what a nice garden party feel there was to the entire meeting.

Many, including I suspect Oliver, felt that if the Daytona could be put under enough pressure then the race may just come to the 308/328 brigade as the big car’s brakes fade. Oliver had not started the car before but he made a blinding getaway to lead the first lap. William Jenkins was not so lucky. He always struggles to leave the line cleanly and this start was a real duffer leaving him in fifth pace at the end of lap one, even after having passed a few cars on the way round. There was only one car that could live with the Daytona, as indeed there had been with Reeder in 2003 and NPB in 2004. This year it was Culver's 328 who really gave everything to stay in touch. I thought this was great driving and he left the class 2 lap record at an impressive 1.23.2 in the process.

Jenkins got past Pogson on lap 3 but never really made an impression on the first two. JP thereafter had a lonely race but entertained the crowd at Russell chicane with one or two lovely controlled slides. Snetterton has excellent viewing for the paying public who can get really close to the cars both at Russell Chicane and also at the Bomb Hole corner. Talking of slides Ray Hanson turned the big Testarossa round on lap one but managed to continue. The 'sliding' star though was the GT4 of Richard Atkinson-Willes. This was not the controlled experience of Poggy though, more the “Oh my gawd” type, but very entertaining – thanks Richard. Whilst we are on the subject where are the GT4s ? What a great car for FFC with a very low purchase price and decent potential.

Down the field there were some great scraps. Stuart Anderson I thought particularly brave in the beautiful and delicate 250 GTE/TRC that was in a real dog fight with not one but two Mondials (Pullen & Goodwin). Swifty, Simon Bartholomew and Mike Spicer were another bunch having a sweaty time. It was all clean and good racing that kept the crowd away from the ice cream van all race long.

Towards the end the Daytona really had the upper hand with Culver’s 328 temperature gauges off the scale. I really feel that we (308/328 lot) can get on terms with this lovely old racecar. So please Mr. Bryant let's see you at Castle Combe and/or Brands Hatch and let us have another go (oh, and bring some mates with you). The top placings were a little spaced out at the flag which was a little disappointing. Bryant was followed home by Culver, Jenkins, Pogson, Barthlomew, Spicer and Swift. Places 8, 9 & 10 were covered by only two seconds in the order Allen, Atkinson-Willes and Whitman. Evers came in ahead of Marshall, Anderson, Pullen & Goodwin with Hanson and Burrage bringing up the rear. Colin Cambell’s 246 Dino was the only non-finisher.

As is usual in formula classic it was all smiles and hand shakes after the race – just as it should be. Next race is Castle Combe on August 29th along with PMFC. Last year the Ffc race was a real cracker so do come along and see some Ferrari racing.