Not many people remember that we had done this hill before in May 1988, when our series was titled “The BFGoodrich Essex Challenge”. Back then just five Ferraris had made it over to Jersey, including three Dino 246’s and they all ran very close times. Geoff Dark (308GT4) won just ahead of Christopher England (308GTS) clocking 54.21 and 54.25 seconds respectively. The Dino’s were driven by Keith Maddox, Martin McGlone and Rory Fordyce.

I am not sure why we have never been back, it is a very worthwhile event and a most attractive venue. The hill, a closed public road, is just over a 1000 yds, and both demanding and very technical as the experts like to say. It is often remarked that Shelsley Walsh does not take prisoners, however Shelsley is tame compared to Bouley Bay which, whilst comparatively slow, has no escape anywhere from error. Stone walls, rock faced banks, and trees lining the edge of the track on this real time road, do concentrate the mind more than somewhat.

Apart from High Bank which you can go through in third, the majority of the hill is second gear with first essential for Radio hairpin. Organisers Jersey Motorcycle & Light Car Club run the entire 100 plus entry up in one batch to assemble at the top before returning to the paddock on the waterfront.

Our Ferrari class of fourteen looked very handsome assembled in the paddock and caused a huge amount of interest. A useful selection of tipos too, from the latest 360 Modena back to a 330GTC. The weather was great as we prepared for the off, Jersey MC generously allowing an extra practice run as we were new to the place. Jon Goodwin, favourite for the class win with his F355, still looked like doing the same thing with his 360 Modena, which he had recently run at the Loton Park practice day. He faced strong F355 opposition, but it was Richard Prior, his 348ts now handling properly and his driving getting sharper all the time, who challenged Jon to top the practice time sheet. Their second runs up the hill were to be their best – Jon on 51.19 and Richard on 51.60. The rest were out of sight, though Christopher England (308GTS), the only survivor of the 1988 expedition present, was a creditable third fastest on 53.17. Next up and also showing good form was John Marshall (328GTB) with 53.81.

The road had to be re-opened to the public at 6.30pm and the anticipated three official runs looked to be on schedule, judging by the time taken over the practice sessions. As is so often the case at these meetings we were the last class running, but it was ours that was to put the timing back somewhat. On the first, Jon Goodwin popped in another useful 51 second run a little slower than his practice, to take the lead from Richard Prior, still comfortably second overall, but now on 52.49. John Marshall really impressed in third, closing on Richard with a 52.67, and Nick Taylor moved his Mondial 3.4t in to fourth on 53.40. On the second run, Jon Goodwin concerned his margin was insufficient after the PEP application, tried a little too hard going up through High Bank, the 360 getting away from him and inevitably tangling with the scenery. Damage to the car meant he was unable to continue.

There was a considerable delay as the organisers perused over what to do with the 360, which was off course and somewhat difficult to retrieve. When the Ferraris got going again on this second run Terry Esom was pleased to haul his F355 in to third ahead of England and Taylor. Time was then running out and there had even been a slight threat of rain in what was really a mostly nice day.

Things went smoothly as the Ferrari’s took their third helpings of Bouley. Richard Prior, a little quicker, secured second spot behind Jon Goodwin and significantly claimed the maximum championship point score. I had been having a bad hair day in the F355, but I finally managed to pull in to third ahead of Terry Esom’s similar car. John Marshall kept his place just ahead of Christopher England, with Nick Taylor next. Len Watson had originally planned to field the F40 on Jersey, but the car is still not ready, and he brought along his 328GTS now with a new gearbox casing following his North Weald transmission failure. It all held together and he was in the high 53’s not far behind the first bunch. Philip Whitehead, his F355 amazingly pristine as usual, was in the 54’s as was Simon Burn for his best result yet with the 308GTBi. Peter Rogerson another 355 pilot, though his one is a left hooker, put in a best of 56.32 to just head off Jos van de Perre, his 308GTS producing two identical times of 56.51. Gregor Steel on his first ever hillclimb found his unsorted early type 348tb to be a bit of a handful – his second practice being his best of the day. That handsome gentleman’s carriage, the familiar metallic grey 330GTC was in action too, with the consummate gentleman pilot Tony Willis giving it everything up Bouley to crack the 60 second barrier.

Looking back at the event overall, and listening to the competitors comments, it seems likely that we shall come back to Jersey for more in 2004.

(Run times will follow as soon as we get them!)

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Lovely weather and scenery greeted the visiting hillclimbers

Posing outside the hotel: competitors & cars

Jersey Ferrari owners joined the visitors

Lining up for the start - all on public roads

Simon Burn had his best result yet

Goodwin flies to the win - but then disappears off the road

Nick Taylor's Mondial was very competitive

Not the F40, but Len brought his 328 along

Newcomer Gregor Steel blasts up the unforgiving hill

pics by Brian Jackson & Pauline Goodwin