After the wide open space of MIRA the day before the hillclimbers’ next target was the tight and technical Curborough, for the annual two-lapper extravaganza. As the two venues are close together many of the competitors stayed overnight at Colton House near Rugeley, all organised by Jon Goodwin. There were very good reports on Sunday morning about the Hotel and the food.

Sunday dawned a lot drier than the day before and according to the weather forecast it was going to be a sunny day. A cheery face from the Reliant Sabre & Scimitar Owners' Club greeted me on the gate at Curborough saying how pleased they were that the PFHC had again chosen to attend their event, this certainly started the day off nicely. There were 19 Ferraris entered and 20 drivers after Charles Haynes managed to get a late entry sharing Tracey’s 328.

The usual paddock banter commenced during which Sean Doyle tried to swallow a wasp that took a shine to his can of Coke and was stung on the lip; it didn’t stop him talking but then again what would ? He claimed the ambulance crew advised him to keep talking and an additional minus 0.5% PEP should make the sting feel better.

In what seemed no time at all the Ferraris were called for first practice and as we assembled in the collection area near the start line the marshal reported that there was “what seemed to be mud” on the hairpin …….oh joy! at least it made a change from oil.

Although this was first practice it was evident from early on that the competition was rife at all ends of the scale. Ian Chadwick was first off but unfortunately failed to get a time, Peter Rogerson (360) had a bit of a moment going into the first corner held it well and managed to complete his run. John Marshall (430 Scuderia) recorded an amazing 102 mph over the line on the first lap, but completely forgot to turn in for the 2nd lap, which we put down to a bit of a senior moment.

At the end of first practice Chris Butler (355) was leading the field with 63.92 and Mad Dog Holman (355) was nipping at his heels on 64.28 with Nick “Obewanbe” Taylor (348GTC) just three hundredths of a second behind.

Just before the Ferraris were due to go out for P2 the organisers announced that the first timed run would take place before lunch and there would be two further runs after lunch which was welcome news to us all. With tyre pressures changed most improved their times and John and Ian both completed their laps to get recorded practice times. After P2 Nick Taylor was leading the pack on 62.93 followed by Andrew Holman and Champion-elect Chris Butler.

The Ferraris were led to the start for R1 runs by Ian Chadwick in his beautifully turned out 348ts which he drove smoothly and completed his lap in 70.78, this was to be his best time of the day. Lorraine Hitchman (328) recorded a 70.97 and Wendy-Ann now getting the feel for her list 1B tyres on her 328 improved by over 2 seconds on her best practice time clocking a 74.30. Peter Rogerson also improved on his practice time recording 70.93.

The ever-improving Sean Doyle drove his 308GT4 aggressively to clock a 68.80 beating his previous Personal Best by nearly 1.5 seconds. Richard Allen, out once again in his old faithful 328 “Rat Racer”, drove this technical track with precision and determination to record an impressive 66.46, which gained him useful Classic Cup points and put more pressure on his nearest rival Doyle.  Barrie Wood, (355) fresh from his podium at Gurston, recorded a 66.83 which was to be his best time of the day.

Andrew Holman screeched off the line and rocketed through the first bend and slid through Molehill as only Mad Dog can, crossing the finish in 64.56 followed by Richard Prior in the ex Spicer 355 in an equally competitive drive finishing on 64.78. On returning to the paddock Holman parked by the Paddock Office looking for the Clerk of the Course. The last marker post before the first bend had been knocked out and anyone who is familiar with this track will know that this is a crucial marker to set your line for the first bend and indeed the rest of the course.

The Clerk of Course was on track having jumped on his rapid response unit (a bicycle) to replace the missing marker post. As he returned to the paddock Holman, now joined by Prior, claimed the missing marker had impeded their times. He agreed they could both have re-runs which pleased them no end.

Whilst all this was going on Chris Butler had put in a 63.29 to take the lead. Nick Taylor, thinking Holman had displaced the marker post, asked the start line marshal if this conduct would carry a penalty. After dutifully asking advice in the marshals' hut, he returned advising Nick that this did not carry a penalty but time wasting in tyre warming did……that told you Mr Taylor! Following this dressing-down Nick and his infamous sticky tyres recorded a new PB of 63.12 taking the lead from Butler.

John Marshall and the unmistakable sound of the mighty Scud roared around the track coming over the finish line at an even more amazing 106 mph in 63.32 which put him into 3rd place. Next up was Holman on his re-run, obviously determined to make this bonus lap count. "Unfortunately", on the turn into the second lap, he lost the back end and had all four wheels off the course.  Prior also leapt off the line determined to make it count, but with this added gusto only managed to get to the hairpin before spinning. Both drivers left the course with "No Time" to roars and applause from the rest of the Ferrari drivers and great hilarity and ribbing continued during lunch.

R2 saw six drivers set their best times of the day. Pauline Goodwin was down to 66.42 in the California with Jon Goodwin and lovely Lucy not far behind on 67.82. Julian Playford (355) and Peter Hitchman (550M) finished on 72.39 and 72.71 respectively. Chris Butler not only recorded his best time of the day but also beat his previous PB crossing the line in 63.13, leaving him in 2nd place. Next was Nick Taylor who also beat his previous PB, stopping the clock at 62.02, ensuring he retained the lead and setting a new class record.   Going into R3 the top 3 places remained unchanged with Taylor leading followed by Butler and Marshall. Astonishingly, Taylor recorded exactly the same time on this run as his last!

In R3 Charles Haynes, sharing Tracey’s 328, set his best time of the day 71.22. Newcomer Douglas Campbell drove well to record 65.96 in his 360 Spider on his first competitive appearance here, though he is a graduate of the Curborough Tuition Day held earlier in the year. Chris Hitchman (355) finished on 66.04 while wife Lorraine improved to 69.36, another PB by over 1.5 seconds. Tracey Haynes set her best time of 69.26 beating her previous PB by nearly a second. Holman improved to 63.88 beating Prior who managed to finish on 64.10.  

In summary seven drivers set new personal best times including our Champion elect. Nick Taylor won on scratch, Chris Butler was 2nd and John Marshall 3rd. After PEPs Chris Butler took the 20 points with Nick Taylor 2nd and Andrew Holman 3rd. Nick and his List 1B tyres took another class record (may the 1B force be with you Nick) and 2nd & 3rd place in the Championship is still undecided.

Click here to go in-car with Andrew Holman.

Click here for official results, inc. 64ft times and first-lap splits (Page 2).

Click here for (unofficial) results and points.

Click here for (unofficial) Championship positions.

Click here to return to the Pirelli Ferrari Hillclimb Championship page.