Think of the statistics - nine of these cars we all like so much travelling to Doune in Scotland the oldest of them 47 and the youngest 15 years travelling some 2,500 miles, completing a total of 56 runs on one of Great Britain’s most dangerous hillclimbs without a single mechanical or any other mishap come to that. Well, I think that is pretty impressive.

And so it was that the hard core element of the Ferrari hillclimbers (Mad Dog Holman had family commitments) set off for Scotland, three of the southern contingent stopped off at the Goodwins for a delightful lunch and to take in Jon’s garage which is really quite something. Mr Goodwin has kindly allowed us to show a few photos although you would need wide angle lens to fit it all into a single frame. Now five Ferraris left Staffordshire for the Highlands, always nice going along in a convoy of these cars, especially with the Goodwin Lusso overtaking from time to time as it does sound rather good. We eventually arrived at the quite grand Dunblane Hydro Hotel where Chris Butler had arranged excellent rates for us. We were all ready for a shower, meal and the bar!

Friday dawned, a nice bright day but it was not to last, which was a shame as Richard Prior had arranged for us, along with some of the Scottish area groups to drive out to the Glengoyne distillery and then on to the Forest Hills Hotel at Aberfoyle for lunch, a place that oozed Scottish character overlooking a picturesque loch. Even with the inclement weather it turned out to be an enjoyable day.

Saturday was to be four practice runs at Doune where we were joined by "guest" drivers John and James Shirley from Fort William in their 355 which was sans ABS – awkward for these two quick drivers as this intimidating track – and it was wet.

The class record holder at this venue, our hotel organiser, Chris Butler (355) was in the groove with a time two seconds faster than the rest of us. Prior (355), Taylor (348GTC) and RA (328 Rat Racer) were next up with Pauline (328) following him second in the classic class. P2 was the same again but now Sean Doyle had crept up to 5th in his GT4. Now with the rain finally stopped and the track almost but not quite dry, P3 was the first time the drivers could actually press on with some confidence. Butler leading again followed by Prior and Taylor but, now, moving up to 4th overall was Doyle. This really was a Herculean effort in a car that is almost the slowest in the class but over the years Sean has honed it and himself to this impressive level. The rains returned for P4 which turned out to be almost the same order with Butler leading – almost like the Vettel era!

For Saturday evening we were joined at the Hydro by the Scottish contingent for an excellent dinner which was very much enjoyed by all. Isabella Butler (aged 7 months) looked particularly stunning in a rather smart pink evening dress.

There was a promise of better weather for Sunday which we were all looking forward to as a slippery mistake on this hill is not to be recommended! However, the promise was unfulfilled with inconsistent rain throughout the day. There were a number of accidents in the other classes which was, thankfully, something we all avoided. As this was a British Championship meeting we were only allocated 2 official runs but, the compensation was being able to watch the large single seaters on this hill; the speed is scarcely believable. So to our first run which was ‘dryish’. We all realised the second run would probably be wet so we had to really give it 100% now, damp or not. As it was the track was just okay.

First up was John Shirley with his fastest time of the weekend (as indeed it was for us all) in a splendid 58.37. John Swift (355), who has not competed here for many years, also reduced his time considerably to 62.39. Then the first of the quick small cars contesting the classic championship; Pauline with a stonking 58.74, husband Jon was unusually careful but still quick with 60.60, which in these conditions and with not much tread on his tyres was actually very good; he tells me he is saving up for some new tyres.

James Shirley, on I believe his first hill climb, raised the stakes with a 57.59. James is a successful downhill mountain bike racer, so believe me, bottle would not have been an issue. So, James (unofficially) led – that is, until the irrepressible Doyle stormed up the hill in an incredible 56.56 to lead the class and quite likely take the 20 points.

Previous small car Dounemeister, RA, started off well being quicker than Sean to the split but made just a small mistake at the top of East Brae to be almost a second slower at 57.48. Current championship leader Nick Taylor, of course, took the lead with 55.22, immediately followed by the very much ‘on form’ Richard Prior into the 54’s with 54.28 but this was not enough as Vettel (sorry, Butler) again took the class win and 20 points with an astonishing (these were not record conditions) 52.84. Last runner Spicer rather had it all to do but it was just a useful 56.47, so it was Butler 20 pts, Doyle a very well deserved 17, Prior a good 17 and, could have done better, Spicer 13.

Everyone except Prior and Spicer returned to various southerly stops for the night, the Shirley’s north to Fort William.

Prior and Spicer had a leisurely trip home on Monday, Richard dropping off in Sheffield to buy one of the currently ‘in vogue’ amongst Ferrari hillclimbers, Tag Heuer Monaco timepieces and then on to our friend Nick Cartwright’s emporium where Spicer acquired a rather nice 550 Maranello. Well, driving a 328 with 450 lb springs for 988 miles deserves a little reward.

Click here for a slideshow of additional pics.

Click here for (unofficial) results and points.

Click here for (unofficial) Championship positions.

Next up: Doune : 18/19th June.

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