It was ironic that the FHCC’s first visit to this venue coincided with the Le Mans 24 hour race. With a course length of 1.5 miles, 2 practices and 2 competitive runs totalled 6 miles - almost an endurance race by UK hillclimbing standards.

Ten runners on a circuit that would favour the larger engined cars had to make the on-form Chris Butler favourite, with maybe a surprise from Chris Hitchman or super-quick new boy David Tomlin (all in 355s).

First practice saw Barry Wood (308GTB) leading a cautious Brian Jackson (308GTB) and Lorraine Hitchman (328GTS) ; Spicer (328GTB) headed the small cars with 97.08 not helped by changing into fourth rather than the required second on the approach to the ‘Bus Stop’ chicane (sounds familiar!) [but from this one you can catch the No.42 to Llantwit Major, don't mention that in the pub - Ed.]

Of the larger-engined cars, Championship leader Richard Prior (348ts) was well fast, two hundredths behind Chris Butler, David Tomlin did 100.44, impressive as it included a 360 degree spin, Chris Hitchman didn’t bother with the chicane at all but sailed straight on and was awarded with no time; while Dad Peter (Mondial t) managed to head Phil Whithead’s more powerful 355.

Second practice saw Jackson using his new engine to best advantage heading a faster Wood, a slower Lorraine and nearly catching Spicer. Elsewhere Prior was wild at Devil’s Elbow and subsequently slower, Hitchman senior shaved off two seconds but Whitehead was 5 seconds faster. Tomlin, now not spinning, recorded a highly impressive 89.93 but could not match the young master Butler on 88.15. Hitchman Junior beat Spicer by one hundredth.

And so, with the weather almost as hot as at La Sarthe, we came to our competitive runs.

Prior, frustrated by his slower time on 2nd practice, was certainly giving his all, to such effect he could not negotiate Bus Stop and went straight on – no time. Whitehead’s car would not start - he subsequently got going, but was slower than in practice. Hitchman Senior went slightly faster, Tomlin continuing to improve, Butler was absolutely on the limit but very neat and did not look as though he would lose enough speed for the Bus Stop but just squeezed round in a magnificent 87.07, which would win him the event . Chris Hitchman was slightly slower.

Of the smaller-engined cars Spicer led Jackson, Wood was marginally quicker and Hitchman (Mrs) shaved off two seconds.

The second competition runs started early, at 2:30pm and we were all grateful as it was a long way home for us all..... The List 1A tyres were barely adequate for this fast circuit – 120 mph on the back straight for faster cars. So a quick run was hairy indeed!

Jackson improved by over two seconds to come within 1½ seconds of Spicer. Wood made a useful improvement to get into the 90’s at 98.45 and Lorraine continued to improve to 105.40. Prior at last put in a trouble free run – 90.07, Hitchman Senior a useful 95.52 and Whitehead a considerable improvement to 92.15 which would give him fourth place. Tomlin showing Championship potential bearing in mind this is only his third event, 88.74. Chris Hitchman, trying very hard out of Devil’s Elbow, had a tyre-squealing spin for his second no time.

The similarly unfortunate Butler had another quick run but his time showed him to be 20 seconds slower, not true in reality but an unfortunate error with the MAC timing gear - in the event it did not matter as he had won with his first run time.

For many years Jon Goodwin (who was spectating at Le Mans) has proved himself to be nearly always the fastest of us all, partially because the 355 is undoubtedly the fastest hillclimb car Ferrari offer, but also because he is a superb driver (well hillclimb anyway)! I know he is pleased that there is now, in Chris Butler, a man to give him a real challenge.

Click here to return to the Ferrari Hill Climb Championship page.

 

The sun not yet glinting off the Ferraris in the paddock

Lorraine had re-possessed her car after the Mallory classic race

Barry Wood improved on his second run

Peter Hitchman...

...and Chris finished in adjacent places yet again

Brian Jackson's 308 went well with its new engine

Mike Spicer was quickest of the "small engined tipos"

Phil Whitehead made a big improvement on R2 to take fourth place

Richard Prior's second run gave him 3rd on the road and 2nd after PEPs

David Tomlin is moving rapidly up the class order

Chris Butler took his second 'position and points' double of the season

FHCC Podium, Prior (l), Butler (c), Tomlin (r)

Llandow was a 'Director Free' meeting

There was lots going on at this busy venue

pics by Ali Dixon & Prior Art