Ashburn and Culver shot into the lead at the start

Cosby eventually overhauled the two 355's

Carman and Ward ran this close throughout the race

Peter Lowe took a good 6th slot in the venerable GT4

Smeeton (in front) had a lonely run to yet another O-class win

Best result yet: Richard Steven's 355/Ch

pics by Paul/Fotografia Corse

PIRELLI MARANELLO FERRARI CHALLENGE
RACE REPORT: ROUND 6 : CASTLE COMBE : 28 MAY 2001

After a record entry at our last visit to this Wiltshire venue it was strange to witness a lowly sixteen cars qualify for round 6 of our championship. A reasonable grid was diminished by some last-minute withdrawals and it was a bit disappointing for the organisers who had given the Ferrari race top billing.

Qualifying on a sunny morning saw David Ashburn in his newly-acquired 355/Ch set a blinding time of 1.13.16 for pole position. Next up was Gary Culver (355/Ch) from Alan Cosby (F512M), Robin Ward (355/Ch), Peter Lowe (308GT4) and Rod Carman (355/Ch). Both Ashburn and Culver were under the existing lap record held by Graham Reeder who, unfortunately, was not able to compete at his home circuit due to car maladies from the previous round at Rockingham

Richard Stevens (355/Ch) showed good improvement to qualify just behind the top 6 and the best O-class car of Richard Smeeton (360 Modena) was 9th overall.

It seemed a long session with Gary Culver registering no less than 17 laps of qualifying! The only incident was the luckless John Taylor whose modified 308 GT4 caught fire after a suspected engine problem.

At the green light the big 512 of Alan Cosby failed to get away cleanly and the pack was led by poleman Ashburn, from Culver and a fast starting Rod Carman.

Given his greater experience in a Challenge car, plus his general consistency, it was clear that Gary Culver was likely to get the upper hand in time. David Ashburn fought hard and fair to keep ahead but on lap 4, after a better exit from Quarry corner, Gary took the lead of class C but by this time Cosby had moved ahead of both of them to take the overall lead - a lead that he was to retain to the chequered flag.

It was clear that real commitment was coming from Culver and Ashburn, their cars teetering on the bring over the very fast Avon Rise. This is close to 150 mph in a Challenge car.The battle remained intense throughout the race and Culver even looked to threaten Cosby late on but the order at the front remained Cosby-Culver-Ashburn to the finish.

Behind all this there was another great race going on between Robin Ward and Rod Carman. This was a repeat of Rockingham with only the absence of Graham Reeder spoiling things a little. Both drivers are having a good first season in Challenge class and will, one suspects, be tied together all year. Ward did get ahead on lap 5 only to give the place up a lap later.

Richard Stevens was again repeating his good qualifying form and he finished an excellent 7th overall, having had a session with his Mortimer guru on Friday. The O-class winner Smeeton finished one place further back after an untroubled run.

Fastest laps went to Cosby, Culver, and Smeeton. These were not a match for qualifying due to the large amount of oil and general muck all around the circuit.

The Wilkinson Driver of the Day award well-deservedly went to David Ashburn and the Wine & Beer award for best turned-out went to Rod Carman's very nice 355/Ch.

Click here to return to the Pirelli Maranello Ferrari Challenge page.