For the second time in PFHC history the competitors made their way to the newly refurbished Hethel Lotus test circuit for round 11.

Hethel was built in 1942 during World War II as an airfield and headquarters for the American 12th Air Force Marauder Group 310th, 320th, 389th 2nd Bombardment Wing and their B-24/B-26 bombers.

In more recent years Hethel has become home to Lotus and plays a vital part in the development of their passenger car range as the official Lotus test track, although for how much longer nobody knows.

Upon arrival the weather looked to be smiling on the grateful competitors and many took the opportunity to walk the course for a quick re-cap of the two tight chicanes and late turn-ins.

Due to the popularity of this sprint only 12 of the Ferrari hillclimbers had their entries accepted with Peter Rogerson, Julian Playford and Richard Allen all on the reserves list. Fortunately all of the championship contenders who had entered got in.

With practice runs extended to reserves, the ever dedicated Richard Allen attended anyway but after an initial run of 99.21 the 355 repeated a previous problem displaying the engine management light, giving just enough power to limp the car home.

In first practice although the sun was shining the track was still showing signs of damp from the previous night’s rainfall so most aired some caution and felt their way round.

Out in front were the usual top three with our flatlander Andrew Holman (355) shining as expected with a fantastic time of 94.22 (must be all that 2CV track work!) Hot on his heels was the reigning champion Richard Prior (355) with an inactive ABS system but still on 95.27 closely followed by Nick Taylor (430) with 95.37.

New to the circuit Pauline Goodwin (328), Mrs Cooper (360 F1) and new Shaun (Smith - 328) put in some brave first laps with 105.59, 109.43 and 110.01 respectively.

With three competition runs planned we were straight into second practice and with everyone finding the track not quite as slippery as in P1 the times began to fall. Jeff Cooper (360 F1) previously on 100.67, dropped down to a fantastic 96.54 and Mrs C down to 101.93 almost eight seconds quicker than her P1 time.

Flatlander John Marshall in the lovely 308 GT4 was showing his experience with a P2 time of 98.25. Mike Spicer (328), suffering from a three week long bout of flu, pulled out a 97.71 some 10 seconds quicker than his previous run. Sean Doyle, demonstrating his professional driving skills, posted a respectable 98.17, chasing James Spicer on 97.64 in the battle of the 348s.

The 355 scuffle was also making for an interesting contest with Holman just pipping Prior with 93.31 against the Champ’s 93.34

Pauline Goodwin (328) was trying hard and spun on the entrance to the first tight hairpin, slowing her to 116.71. Shaun Smith also suffered a misfortune with a big slide in the same place taking all four wheels of the circuit and consequently having his time discounted. But it was last year’s winner Nick Taylor out in front with his new 430 lapping up the long Hethel straight and posting a phenomenal 89.87.

With the two practice runs completed we were called for the first of the days three competitive runs. Mike Spicer’s Lemsip had still not kicked in and he was almost a second slower with 98.36 closely followed by John Marshall on 98.38 and Shaun Smith (99.93) all fighting for the Classic win.

The two 348 boys were down into the 96’s with James Spicer on a pleasing 96.62 and Sean Doyle a 96.89, really settling into his new car and using all of its power.

Holman definitely felt at home here and set his best time so far 91.68 with Prior struggling to keep up on 93.71. Nick Taylor posted what was to be the fasted Ferrari time of the day with a staggering 87.40! Also to post their fastest times were Pauline Goodwin (100.77), new Shaun 99.93 and old Sean 96.89 (as mentioned).

After a pleasant lunch break sitting in the shade of the Lotus factory it was time for the second of the timed runs. The previous 87.40 from Nick Taylor seemed to have excited him so much that he’d left the ignition on in the 430 and the car’s gizmos had sapped all the life from the battery. Either that or Andrew Holman had switched it back on in an attempt to slow him down. [Unlikely he would know how - Ed]. Not to fear as his fellow competitors were on hand to give him a push start springing the car back into life. This however may have distracted him from his racing duties as he was four tenths slower on 88.25.

Caroline Cooper was also slower on 102.81 following her previous time of 101.84, together with Pauline Goodwin 100.82 who had both over relaxed during the lunch period - pull your socks up girls!

Opting for Red Bull instead of sausage sandwiches were the two Spicers both posting their FTDs with Mike just beating son James (as usual) with 96.30 against James’s 96.36, making him the fastest Classic, with a rewarding fourth place PEP finish and 13 points.  

Others to improve were Richard Prior with a 91.84 giving a 3rd place scratch finish and 3rd on points, Andrew Holman 90.04 and Jeff Cooper with 96.62

The third and final run saw the sad retirement of John Marshall en route to the collection area with a faulty clutch, although John’s previous time was enough to secure fifth place on PEP and 12 points for the day.

Pauline Goodwin suffered a slide again at the first hairpin slowing her to 111.85, a disappointing event for Pauline compared with her usual high quality performances.

After running out of ideas James Spicer tried to go flat through the first esses, losing control on the exit and subsequently sliding round the first hairpin dropping him to 97.57.

The stars of T3 were Holman who had improved on every run during the day ending with 89.04 and the 20 points. Nick Taylor was back on form with 87.68 but not quite enough for the 20 points with his +2% PEP. The biggest improvements came from the Cooper corner with Caroline crossing the line in 100.40, the fastest of her day and hubby Jeff with a fabulous 94.84 also his FTD and bumping him up the table to fourth on scratch.

Next on the calendar is another sprint, this time at Curborough for a two lapper. Can Mad Dog Holman do it again? Or will he be kenneled by the current championship leader Richard Prior? Also Butler is back.... With only four rounds left things are hotting up!

Next up: Curborough: August 19.

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