Report - Round 5 - 2009 Pirelli Ferrari Hillclimb Championship - Club Racing Series'

If you had to pick just one meeting out of the PFHC calendar either to compete or spectate it would have to be Shelsley Walsh. This British Championship meeting, in our calendar for many years now, attracts all the front-runners with their devastatingly fast machinery. Add in a beautiful and historic location, plus the hugely atmospheric ambience and you have an experience not to be missed.

The Ferrari entry was down a little over 2008, with some of last year’s runners on circuit racing duty at Spa. These included reigning Champion Jon Goodwin, current hill record holder David Tomlin and leading contender Chris Butler. Rumour had it that Andrew Holman had got a new car, but was waiting until the next Prescott to appear, however there was also fears he may have found a new sport (click here). Fifteen entries dropped to thirteen on the day with Geoff Dark and Peter Rogerson both non-starters. The quality was still there though and before a wheel turned it was interesting to speculate on the outcome.

John Marshall with his 430 Scuderia appeared the obvious scratch winner, Shelsley being the ultimate "power" hill. John has posted some great times at Shelsley – last year his "ordinary" 430 was close to Tomlin's new record and if the day was dry this time he should easily establish a new mark. After that, it looked to be very close between Christian Mineeff's 360 Modena, the F355s of Richard Allen and Mike Spicer, with Nick Taylor likely to be right in there with his very competitive 348GTC.

Practice sessions on Saturday on the first of two really nice days weather wise seemed to confirm this, with Marshall cruising up just under Tomlin's record on his first run, clocking a remarkable 33.90 and zooming over the finish line at 102 mph. Some of the more desperate Ferrari drivers managed to take three practices, and by the end of the day Nick Taylor was second quickest at 35.01 followed by Richard Allen on 35.06. Then it was Christian Mineeff's 360 at 35.54 just ahead of Richard Prior's 348ts, which was also in the mid thirty fives.

Richard Preece took his mint 348GTC (the PFHC Camera Car) up in 36.09, easily his best time here to head the F355s of Philip Whitehead and Mike Spicer, so he was looking good for Sunday. Pauline Goodwin had also popped in a best ever with her 328GTB at 36.7, but ominously the car was dripping more oil than my barbecue and this was noted by the startline officials.

Sunday was another perfect day and it was nice to see PFHC drivers Adrian Wilson, Charles and Tracey Haynes in the paddock – they will be back out at some events later in the season. The Haynes' were in Charles 348GTC, which meant all four of the tipi were there. It now seems extremely unlikely that we will ever see them all competing together as Charles's is (nearly) sold and Andrew Duncan only does Shelsley.

The Ferraris were running at the back of the programme and it was late morning before we were called to the line for our first competitive run. As the Ferrari drivers were lolling around waiting some MAC officials called by to check out Pauline's leaky 328 – they sidelined the car to her chagrin, but this is quite understandable as this is the last place you want to come across olio on the track. Wendy Marshall very generously offered to share her 328 – a car that fits Pauline quite well, so it was all smiles after an anxious half hour or so.

The class win was all over on the first official timed run as John Marshall blitzed the Ferrari record by nearly a second, taking the 430 Scuderia up in 33.03 seconds and flying over the line at 103mph! The rest were left gasping, the quickest clocking only 90 mph. Nick Taylor, both he and his 348GTC on top form now, with 34.75 - easily the best 348 time ever recorded at Shelsley, moved into second ahead of Mineeff's on 35.03. The majority of the Ferraris were fastest on this first run, but we shall now look at the class after the second runs were on the board.

Wendy Marshall, still learning the hillclimb trade, made steady improvements with her 328GTB, taking several seconds off first practice to finish with 42.40. Andrew Duncan had taken his 348GTC up in 37.61 in practice, but attending a posh lunch function Sunday ensured he would go slower and be well off his old 328 times. Sergio Ransford appeared for the first time this year, now with his 308GTB chassis upgraded but on old tyre technology, had been stuck in the 39’s but on his final pulled up to a creditable 38.37.

Meanwhile Joe Billingham on his first ever Shelsley took the 360 up in a best of 37.89 and was second fastest up at the finish with 91 mph. He seemed not to have read the regulations too carefully as, having previously appeared on "Challenge" like wheels, which are not allowed, he turned up with the correct wheels, but fitted with "List 1B" track tyres, which are are not allowed either, and as such he was ineligible for points. This goes to show always read the regs!

Pauline, meanwhile, despite treating Wendy's 328 with some respect put in an impressive 37.26, not far off her best mark with her own car. Richard Preece was getting mixed results – some strong speeds in the bottom trap and 87 mph up at the top on his first "official" run. His split time to the Esses though was down on Saturday as was his time of 36.79. Philip Whitehead often surprises us with his speed with the F355 but at 35.62 he was off his best and maybe still affected by his team Everton and the Cup Final he went to watch Saturday after practice! Apparently they lost 2-1 to Chelsea.

Championship front-runner Richard Prior finished on a by most standards fast 348 time of 35.27, but with Taylor and Marshall so far ahead this was only good enough for 15 points. Club Directors Richard Allen (F355) and Christian Mineeff (360 Modena) on 35.12 and 35.03 respectively were disappointed to be pushed down the rankings when Mike Spicer, well off the pace earlier, jumped them both with a fine 34.89 in his 355 - his fastest ever here for third in the Ferrari class.

Up at the sharp end there seemed the possibility of more competition between Marshall and Taylor as Nick's PEP time was only just on the 20 points. He went slower though as John launched the Scud off the line in 2.36, the fastest 0-64ft Ferrari time of the day, hit 89 mph in the bottom trap and another 103 at the top. Looking to be heading for a high 32, he lost time somewhere and was slower than his first run. Congratulations then to John on his new record and class win, and to our placemen Nick Taylor and Mike Spicer. Notably there were three quite different tipi on the podium. Nick was especially pleased as he got the points, but John bought the drinks! The 20 points gained moved Nick into the lead of the Championship.

One last look at the scoreboard and I note that Christian Mineeff may be a little alarmed to find he won the Club handicap competition! [Uh? - Ed.].

On next to another great hill, Doune in Scotland, on June 20/21, where sadly entries are a bit thin. This is a shame, as like Shelsley, Doune is a hillclimb experience not to be missed.