Report - Round 14 - 2003 Ferrari Hillclimb Championship - Club Racing Series'

The sun glinted on the FHCC competitors for the last time in 2003 at Curborough near Lichfield on a bright October day. The first three places in the Championship had already been decided, but Mike Spicer, Geoff Dark and Nick Taylor were still battling for fourth, fifth and sixth; also Longleat winner Chris Butler could jump them all from seventh if he scored a maximum – a difficult task given the 355’s PEP.

Despite this, the atmosphere was relaxed, in contrast to the last round of the PMFC which suffered a poor entry amidst discontented mumblings. Hillclimbers are mostly a happy crowd, this having much to do with the fact that they aren’t generally fighting for the same piece of tarmac at the same time and there’s so much off-track time they have to get on. There may just be fewer Prima Donnas of course...

The whole meeting was somewhat low key. Historically this was the meeting where the wild men of the hills descended to the plain and raped and pillaged various track records, but not this year. There was a respectable entry of 10 Ferraris with Mike Spicer and Geoff Dark in 308s, Andy Grier and Richard Allen in 328s, 2003 Champion Nick Frost and runner-up Richard Prior in 348s, Chris Hitchman and Chris Butler in 355s, Nick Taylor in his Mondiale and Peter Hitchman bringing along his paddle-shift 360. The cars looked great in the paddock, nicely presented with driver and Tipo boards (courtesy of the Hitchmans) displayed - a credit to their owners and the club, but Richard Allen had the look of an ageing rocker about him and was promptly told by Sally Maynard-Smith that he needed a haircut.

The first practice runs were uneventful with Nick Frost leading the way, Richard Prior second and Nick Taylor just 0.07 behind. Frost – looking more relaxed than all season, was quickest on the second runs too on 35.86 from Chris Butler who improved to 36.28 when he realised in was “contract time”. Butler’s start times were stunning and his 2.31 secs for the first 64ft were reckoned to be the best ever by a road going Ferrari (unless you know different). This was in sharp contrast to Peter Hitchman’s 3.43; the paddle shift 360 just won’t get off the line quickly. However he did set the best speed over the finish line at 94 mph. Andy Grier was suffering from rear end trouble and obviously needed new shox.

Nick Taylor was first away in the competition runs, recording a 36.71 and fourth place with a big sideways in the fast complex, taking lots of kerb in the chicane and a wide, but balanced exit to the top corner. When approached for an explanation of his technique, those who expected a racing driver's detailed analysis of the optimal trading off of forward, braking and cornering forces to ensure that the “friction circle” is always filled were sadly disappointed. Taylor reporting that he “just hangs on for grim death”. Mike Spicer (38.86) hung the tail out in the chicane, but had massive understeer in the top corner, this no doubt contributing to his 38.86 and 8th place. Geoff Dark’s 308 looked a bit “hoppy” at the rear on his way to a 37.89 and 6th place.

Andy Grier straight-lined the chicane nicely, but was a bit “thruppeny bitty” at the top, still managing a competent 38.41 and 7th place. Richard Allen looked good in the complex, trying his “constant throttle” technique, but was too fast into the chicane and spun. Richard Prior was more aggressive than seen previously, taking lots of kerb in the chicane, but was very wide out of the top, stopping the clock at 36.68, which gave him third place. 2003 Champion Nick Frost was aggressive too; fast in the complex, a beautiful down shift for the chicane, which he straight-lined, getting the throttle open early. Lots of speed into the top corner and sharp braking to unsettle the back end, throttle open early, an ultra-tight, neutral exit, blast up the straight with lots of revs and glorious V8 howling, over the line at 91mph to record 35.51 seconds and first place. Easy, not!

The 355s of the two Chris’ were relatively quiet by contrast, Hitchman flicking the tail out in the chicane and finishing 5th on 37.59. Butler was very quick and very smooth in the fast bits, but lost out to Frost in the slower corners, his 35.99 good enough for second place. Peter Hitchman’s 360 completed the first runs, very fast on the straight again, benefiting from loads of grunt and slick shifts.

Then it rained. Despite the fact there was nothing to gain, everyone took his second run in contrast to a Curborough meeting a few years ago where there was a vote and everyone went home. RA later pointing out that such actions do not reflect well on the Club and who thought it was a democracy anyway? All the early runners looked smooth and safe in difficult conditions. Grier did well to beat Spicer, RA and Geoff Dark recorded identical times of 42.09. The rain had stopped some time before and a dry line emerged quickly, helping the later runners, Richard Prior was able to try hard and Nick Frost got the tyres squealing on his way to 39.58, quickest in the wet, quickest in the dry, quickest in practice, the perfect way to round off his Championship winning season. Chris Hitchman too benefited from the drying track, but his second place on 39.28 was well deserved. His Dad had big understeer in the chicane, but still managed 41.89 secs, which gave him an excellent 5th place in the second runs.

And that was it, a great end to a great season’s sport. Nick Frost deserved to win the Championship after a season long battle with Richard Prior, who didn't deserve to lose. Richard Allen used a bewildering array of Tipos on his way to third place. Fourth place was a tie between FHCC veteran and former Champion, Geoff Dark, and Nick Taylor, who made his Mondiale do things none has ever done before. Mike Spicer finished sixth in his ex Championship winning 308 (still for sale), from new boy Chris Butler in his 355, Chris being undoubtedly "newcomer of the year". Thirty five drivers scored points in nine different Tipos in a Championship ranging from Harewood in the North to Bouley Bay in the South.

The winter holds the attractive prospect of the end of season dinner for the competitors, their supporters and friends. There will be some time to think about new cars, tweaks and PEPs. The FOC will be sorting out the 2004 programme; there is already the exciting possibilty of a visit to Doune and maybe an FHCC Curborough track day, and before anyone realises, it will be Spring and time to start all over again.