Maybe it was the date clash with the British Grand Prix or the school holidays, but our entry was on the small side for this round. The Ferraris were running in the first batch on the programme and a 7.30am sign on was none too amusing, meaning an overnight stay for most people. Fortunately it seemed a nice bright day as we assembled in the paddock, hurriedly getting ready for the first practice. Unusually half of our class were on their first visit to Gurston and likely to be at some disadvantage, but as it turned out they all without exception put in some excellent times.

A long time before the lunch break the Ferraris completed two practice runs without incident. Richard Allen, his 328GTB knowing the way here on 38.42secs was not that far ahead of Championship leader Richard Prior - the 348ts on a pretty useful 38.76. Geoff Dark, always very fast at Gurston with his 308GTB, was close behind at 38.87, a second ahead of the similar car of Mike Spicer. Nick Taylor posted a low 40 second run with his Mondial 3.4t, as did Andy Grier with our Championship Co-ordinators 328GTS - he dived straight in to the 40 second bracket with a best of 40.27 - a truly remarkable effort by both of them as first timers here! Our other newcomers were going well too. Barry Wood, his 308GTS running on original equipment fourteen inch wheels and BF Goodrich tyres, was already down to 43.33. Tony Willis, his 330GTC still in dock, was out again in the very pretty concours condition dark blue 246GT. This very choice Ferrari is totally standard, on XWX tyres with no pumped up dampers or anything like that and Tony was already on 44.52.

The weather remained fine for the afternoon runs, thought there were some prolonged delays as three cars suffered quite serious incidents. A Westfield or similar rolled at Hollow necessitating the use of the ambulance. A Mini then rolled going in to the Karussel, followed by an Audi Quattro diving in to the bushes half way around the Karussel - all these cars suffering considerable damage. This happened between the first and second runs, and it is probable that the Ferrari drivers all reflected on this in the final run. Anyway Richard Allen posted 37.94 on his first - some way off his best here, but enough for the class win. Richard Prior on his first had set a stunning time to the split halfway up the course, but he went into Ashes, the left hander leading to the finish, far too hard, running on to the grass to spoil what may have been a winning time. He was relatively slower on his final at 39.21, allowing Geoff Dark on 38.69 to claim second spot and a nice helping of championship points. Next man up Mike Spicer nearly caught Prior with a time of 39.40.

Nick Taylor, his Mondial 3.4t already credited with a 40.04, was determined to crack the 40 second barrier - he flew around Hollow and approached the Karussel with such velocity that the only escape was the escape road!

There was more to come as Andy Grier got a little carried away too, having a big moment around Hollow that he was lucky to keep a hold of. Andy had managed a 40.55 on his first, but was still a little short of his amazingly fast practice time. Our two remaining Gurston new boys kept their heads amongst all this. Barry Wood took his 308 up in two very consistent mid 42 second runs. Tony Willis did similarly well with the Dino finishing on 43.34 to win the club handicap. When you consider their equipment and look at those early Gurston times you can appreciate that Barry and Tony have reason to be pleased with their times as indeed did Nick Taylor and Andy Grier!

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