The sun was shining and not a cloud in the sky, which was great for the people of Sorrento. Unfortunately for the Ferrari Club’s hillclimbers we were in Shelsley Walsh, Worcestershire, England, under grey skies and constant drizzle. Sadly this was typical of the weather so far this season. Nick Taylor was ahead of the game as his car refused to start. On pressing the diagnostic button on his 430 it gave a read out of ‘weather miserable, don’t go!’ and promptly printed out two tickets for Nice airport. Oh to be the owner of a modern Ferrari, it must be great.

As in every previous Shelsley event we arrive in dribs and drabs. As Shelsley does not run cars in a specified order you decide when you want to do your practice run. Whilst preparing the cars for the weekend’s fun and frolics in the persistent rain it is a good to get yourself in the Zone and question why you actually love doing this, getting up early, driving for miles, arriving to park on wet grass and stick race numbers on your car in hurricane conditions.

So with the first practice finished Andrew Holman (355) was in the lead by some way from Richard Prior (355), with Goodwin (P) (328), Mike (Daddy) Spice (328) and Phil Whitehead (355) close behind. Considering Phil’s pre-season preparations this was a fantastic effort.  We then had a trio of 348’s headed by Andy Duncan, James (Mad) Spice and Sean Doyle, who was informed at a recent blood donor session he had the same blood group as Eeyore! [who? – Ed]. Strange but true. Also in the mix was the very thoughtful John Marshall (GT4) constantly analysing conditions and thinking about his game plan, plus wife Wendy Ann (328) and Colin Cambell (246). On arrival Colin really is a show stopper. The looks and attention his car gets is remarkable.

Due to conditions the second run was a lottery and not a fair reflection on people’s ability as they were so changeable. As always the cream rises to the top, with Holman, Prior, Goodwin (P) and Daddy Spice leading the way. The biggest improvement came from James Spice who went faster by 3 seconds. When asked for a reaction Daddy Spice was quoted as saying ‘the boy done good’.

As it is Shelsley, if things run smoothly some lucky individuals get a third run if they beg on bended knee. But as the weather was so bad the sensible amongst us decided not to run. So that left Doyle, Holman and Prior in the queue. Andrew and Richard both went faster by a fraction but Doyle was very happy to improve by 2 seconds. Suddenly his tail seemed to be properly attached and looked a lot better.

So we set off for our night's stop. Colin, Phil and Andrew D are local so can go home to a nice comfy bed. The Marshalls and PG had booked into nearby cosy and warm accommodation and the “Idiots Abroad” headed off for the campsite to pitch their tents. They were joined by Barbara and Joe Spicer who helped to lift the mood considerably. This helped to create a great atmosphere enhanced by the great story telling of Mike Spike. Prior and Holman pitched their tents under the Club’s gazebo for extra protection, Mike and Barbara of Windsor had a new all singing and dancing, positively palatial tent suitable for the Arctic, whilst Doyle and Mad Spice were pitched beside their cars. I must point out at about 9 o'clock that night it started to rain persistently and did not stop until Sunday after when we left. As long as it stays dry for Wimbledon tennis who cares?

So Sunday morning and Prior, Holman and Spice Junior wake to swimming pools in their tents with everything soaked, not a good start. But after a cup of good old English tea everybody was in good spirits and ready to go. As the new facilities at Shelsley include a shower the happy campers set off for a hot refreshing wash. Unfortunately it was jammed in steam clean mode so we were all walking around looking like boiled lobsters for a while.

So the serious stuff was about to start with all of us running in a group as per normal. Colin was steady away followed by John Marshall who did his quickest run of the weekend (43.18). This was backed up by steady runs from wife Wendy, Phil Whitehead and Mike Daddy Spice. The same could be said for Pauline, James Spicer, Doyle and Duncan.

Conditions were very bad making Shelsley Walsh treacherous.  As Jon Goodwin says ‘only four corners and all bloody dangerous’. As expected Prior flew up the hill proving you’re not a champion for nothing. Holman was disappointed to be some way behind. All weekend he looked like a smug smiling Bibendum due to the fact his extra black tyres that matched his wheels were the ones to have, he thought! As you can imagine he was looking a wee bit glum.

The second and final run saw very changeable conditions with Colin not making an improvement but still pleasing the crowd. John Marshall was miffed not to improve, Phil Whitehead who made a quantum leap in his time to 40.54 with a superb drive to the final podium place,no doubt giving his confidence a boost, which he thoroughly deserved. Mike Spicer was a little off his best but still the best Classic, also improving was Wendy who finished on a good note, off the line and up to second she changes up to third just before the rev limiter, a brave showing in such treacherous conditions. PG also made a big improvement by 2 seconds to 42.93, but was just pipped by Daddy Spice (42.69) in the Classic Cup, a good effort none the less.

Next up, James Spicer took control of the 348 contest with a very good run (44.45) in the conditions with Eeyore Doyle (45.87) and Andrew Duncan trailing somewhere behind (46.80). We waited with bated breath at the top for Holman who didn’t disappoint with a great run of 39.25, maybe his extra round tyres were working. Finally the last car approached and stopped the clock at 38.73! Holman used words to describe his feelings that I’d not heard of before. 'Some say he lives in a carbon fibre house, and his television is a Ferrari F1 engine’ all we know is that he is called "The Prior”.' A Herculean drive in horrendous conditions demonstrating why he is a three times champion.

With the PEP percentages applied Prior even got the maximum 20 points, despite the champion’s 1% handicap, and Holman was second.

 So we all headed back down the hill happy to all be in one piece, and swapped stories about how the cars were completely sideways and we caught it..... I think you know what I mean.

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