Report - Round 14 - 2008 Pirelli Ferrari Hillclimb Championship - Club Racing Series'

I was looking forward to Harewood very much, so I set off eagerly at 6.10am and soon after crested the A461 in Brownhills. It promised to be a glorious day and with the rolling plains of Staffordshire set out before of me and the spires of Lichfield Cathedral appearing through the early morning mist I paused only to wonder “Where’s Lorraine Hitchman and them other two got to this year”? Later, as I followed the Jacksons towards Harewood, I thought how their giallo 308 was still looking low, sleek and elegant after the best part of 40 years and how it's such a contrast to the over-styled, blinged-up brutes which form so much of current production.

My happy bubble deflated a little when I was relieved of ten quid to get in, which I still think of as an entry fee to race, not to watch! There was a good entry of 20, Christian Mineeff making his return to the Series in a 360. Contractual obligations compel me to say that compared to this, Led Zeppelin’s comeback pales into insignificance. I was disappointed to see that Gooders was in his Lusso, not his 430. Much as I

Lucy, I was looking forward to seeing the mighty 430 at Harewood (as advertised). Jon had to get 17 points to clinch the Championship and in the face of the inevitable chuntering, his Media Spokesperson issued a statement that the 430's withdrawal was due to “gearbox issues” .

The track was a touch moist for P1 and most played themselves in sensibly except for Mad Dog who fired it off going into Chippy’s, though sensibly he rejoined the track and carried on at racing speed for the practice. Mike Spicer got caught out going into Orchard and had a fender bender. P2 was incident free and Chris Butler ended up quickest ahead of Nick Taylor, these two being the only ones to get into the 67s.

Watching a large class of Ferraris at a sunny Harewood is truly one of the great sights in motor racing. This is a long hill and they run three cars at a time, so there was the glorious sight and sound of a constant stream of Fazzas emblazoned upon the verdant Yorkshire scenery; as this is God's own County, then surely Heaven will be like this. Unfortunately multiple runners on the hill do make it tricky to report on as one is unable give each run one’s undivided attention, so there won’t be many of my usual helpful comments which I know the competitors value so much.

On R1 Tracey Haynes’ 328 was going well, having recently benefited from a change of tyres and her 73.81 was a new personal best and her quickest time of the day. Pauline Goodwin (328) was pushing hard, nearly understeering into the gravel trap on the exit of Orchard, but actually not losing much time. Geoff Dark (355) lost it under braking for Orchard and took a trip across the grass but he survived to complete the run, though obviously well off the pace. Richard Prior (348ts) was another to visit the scenery after a tank-slapper which started in the left hander before Chippy’s and finally ended up with a 180.

Nick Taylor’s 348GTC got into a wriggle in Willow as the front end pushed then bit, but luckily for him Phil Whitehead went off in Quarry, so he was flagged, as was Mineeff, who took the short cut through the Farmyard back to the start and was soon off again. This run was obviously better and indeed knocked the best part of three seconds off his practice time to give him the lead on 66.96. Chris Butler immediately took it from him with a 66.23, but Gooders’ 71.76 meant that he was comfortably ahead on PEPs.

It emerged over lunch that it was Sara Doyle’s wedding anniversary and apparently Sean’s too, so he would like to thank her for letting him out to play. When asked when his 360 would be sporting Martini stripes as is customary, Mineeff replied that he was waiting for them to come up with an offer, though he has received one from Diamond White cider. Geoff Dark had had an exhaust manifold changed after finding his 355 was 50bhp down on what it should be, but was still not convinced all was correct in the engine department.

R2 saw Peter Rogerson (355), PG, Jeff Cooper (360), Richard Preece (348GTC), Geoff Dark, Brian Jackson, Andrew Holman (348tb), Richard Prior, Phil Whitehead and Christian Mineeff all set their best times. Dark, Holman and Jackson all got into the 69s, but Jackson’s was the best effort as his was the oldest tipo and he was rewarded with fourth place points. Richard Prior was charging hard as usual and was the only one in the 68s. Shortly after, the timing went haywire which is an old Harewood tradition. When all had been repaired Chris Butler extended his lead by stopping the clock at 66 seconds dead.

Good weather and efficient organisation meant that all would enjoy a third run. Sean Doyle cracked the 75 second barrier, a good effort on his first visit to the hill and Charles Haynes (348GTC) got into the 73s. Sergio Ransford drove his 308 with his customary brio to set his best time of 73.62, giving him the win in the usual vicious three-way fight with the Haynes’. John Swift finally got his 355 well under the 70 second barrier with a 69.21. John Marshall, back in his 328m after his 430, had had a moment on R2 and set his best time of 72.50 on this third run.

Mike Spicer (355) clipped another quarter of a second off and was in the 67 second group who were scrapping for third, but the place was captured by Phil Whitehead (355) with a 67.21, a personal best. This is the fourth time he’s been on the podium this year, which he put down to “just doing more meetings”. Christian Mineeff was a bit puzzled to be a second slower than his best, but that run had given him a comfortable second place; not a bad effort after the best part of two seasons off.

Chris Butler drove beautifully to became only the second man ever to get into the 65s at Harewood; his 65.97 easily gaining him the win and 17 points, but it was Gooders and Lucy who got the 20 and with it the 2008 title.

When he started the season Jon had no thought of winning the Championship, but two or three consecutive wins alerted him to the possibility. He has used the oldest and newest tipi in the Series, but it has not been a cake-walk. Certainly he was aided by a soft PEP for Lucy, but has had to adapt his driving style to suit the demands of the new and powerful 430, then adapt it again to suit the totally different 40 odd year old Lusso. He has driven both fast and well, so all credit to him. Speaking as a non-competitor, I like seeing drivers in different tipi, but I am looking forward to the day when Gooders turns up in his DB6 or Trabbie by mistake!

Chris Butler is an honourable second, having given Gooders a good run for his money. He has driven better than ever this season and his flowing performances have been a joy to watch. He has been distracted by circuit racing and has also missed some rounds, but is (comparatively) young and his day will surely come.

Now, sadly, there is only the season finale left, at Curborough on October 5th. See you there.