Going into the penultimate round of a 15-round seven month championship Andrew Holman was in the lead from Richard Prior and Chris Butler. All drive 355s, all could still win the title but in reality it was between Holman and Butler.

The "Tweak of the Year" has been to fit Michelin Pilot tyres, Holman was first to use them. Prior then fitted a set for the previous round and won, just losing out on the points to Butler. The last had not made the investment as there were only two rounds left and he is taking a sabbatical next year. One of these three was likely to take the points at Shelsley unless Nick Taylor could do something really special in his 430.

Richard Prior had a slight additional problem apart from his reigning Champ's +1% PEP - he didn't have an entry! He was on the reserve list and, ever the optimist, turned up in the hope of getting in. Fortunately for him Shaun Smith was a Ferrari non-starter, so he was in by the skin of his teeth. Neighbours reported hearing muffled shouts and banging from inside Prior's lock-up on the Blackbird Leys Estate; whether this had anything to do with Shaun's non-appearance is best not talked about. All of the others in the class had to sign to say they agreed to let Prior in and this they all cheerfully did, though I didn't see "M Mouse" take his/her run....

The PFHC has a "Classic Cup" for tipi before the 348 and this had already been won by Mike Spicer in his giallo 328. Not only had he achieved this, but now will finish fourth overall in the championship, so well done Spike.

The day started dry with rain forecast for mid-day. At Shelsley they still operate a batch system for the practice runs, so most booked into one of later batches so they stood a better chance of getting one wet run in should it rain for the event. P1 was dry and Nick Taylor was comfortably the quickest on 34.54 secs. He had the 430 on the rev-limiter for his burn-outs but then bogged the start. Chris Butler was second on 35.46 with Richard Preece on a splendid 36.08 in his 355 ahead of Holman by 1/100th with Prior some way behind. As forecast it did start to drizzle for most's P2 and of the contenders Holman was quickest on 41.60. Not too much could be read into these times as conditions were steadily worsening.

By lunchtime it was raining properly and most repaired to the nice new cafe. A visitor to Shelsley was former Ferrari hillclimber Malcolm Carey. He still has his Dino and it's only done 25,000 miles. Another visitor was Dave Tomlin who still holds the best time here for a 355 of 33.92 secs. He also still has the car and I asked him if he was going to come back to the One True Version of Motorsport but he said he prefers roundy-roundy. I should have guessed by his 1000 yard stare.

Sally Maynard-Smith paid her second (or third) visit to a hillclimb this year. Known to many as the Series' "Dinner Lady" she was once a competitor, the last time being ten years ago. She plans to return at Curborough. Richard Preece said he hadn't been to Shelsley for 2½ years and that he had "lost his fear" of the place. When I helpfully suggested that if he stayed away longer he might go even faster he responded in terms not worthy of a Man of the Cloth.

It was raining properly for R1 and Colin Campbell (246GT) was first Ferrari away. After what the commentators called a "dignified" run he elected to go home. Yet again there was no seeding and John Marshall (GT4) was next up and this run (43.78) was his best of the day.

Richard Prior was the first championship contender to run. He has a reputation for being quick in the wet and most felt that the conditions would play into his hands. He recorded 39.29. The next contender up was Chris Butler whose 38.80 beat Regenmeister Prior and put him on target for the win and the 20 points. Later Holman could only manage 40.09.

The rain abated to drizzle for R2 but it was cold, dank and dark with mist hanging around the top of the hill. Most improved including Tony Attwood to 46.66. Surely it's time to take a kindly look at the Dino's PEP? Mike Spicer whopped over four seconds off in his 328 to take yet another Classic win. Next up was Richard Prior and he took the lead with a 38.51.

In the confusing running order it was back to Classics next with Wendy-Ann Marshall in her 328. She was red-flagged and on her re-run was a tad slower than R1. Swifty's Nero 355 could barely be seen through the murk but he was another to make a big improvement, over 3 seconds to 42.50. Julian Playford was another in a 355 to improve substantially to 45.28. Phil Whitehead (355) took over a second off to crack 40 seconds (39.28). Next up was Butler, could he beat Prior? NO! 38.89 9/100ths slower than R1 but still on target for the 20 points and the Championship. Pauline Goodwin (328) improved a smidgeon to 42.93 which gave her second place in Classic.

The crowd at Kennel fell silent as Mad Dog Holman came to the line. Well outside his flatlander comfort zone on this steep and slippery hill, could he do the necessary? The Giallo 355 howled past me into the gloom and the clock showed 38.56. 1½ seconds off his previous, quicker than Butler, but not Prior by just 5/100ths , however it was good enough for the 20 points. Next up was Richard Preece, another to make an improvement to record 40.14.

Peter Rogerson was a bit quicker than R1 in his TdF blue 360 then finally we had Nick Taylor. He had been complaining of the 430's poor traction in the wet and sure enough a quick stab of the throttle exiting Crossing was enough to induce a wiggle. Nick's time was 41.29, his best of the day but way-off being competitive.

And that was that. Holman and Butler are tied at the top of the table with the latter ruing he had not fitted a set of Michelins; an omission my sources tell me has now been corrected. So to the final showdown at the Cürburgring where 26 Ferraris are entered!

Next up: Curborough: 14 October.

Click here for (unofficial) results and points.

Click here for (unofficial) Championship positions.

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