| PIRELLI MARANELLO FERRARI CHALLENGE |
|
click
for Race Report
|
|
|
click
for Results & Points
|
- Several teams arrived in their allocated paddock spots on the Thursday
to try to set up but were confronted with a bunch of skidding and sliding
BMWs, part of a BMW Club training programme. It was both hilarious and
frightening to watch. With no demarcation or barriers keeping unsuspecting
vehicles out a JCB unwittingly meandered straight through the middle
of it all and then suddenly Mark Leighton turned up with his Transit
van and, oblivious to anything whilst yacking on his mobile, drove straight
into the middle of their skid pan. The Roden boys, having already set
up their elaborate awning and floor the day before, refused to be shifted
and more than once a skidding BMW threatened to wipe out the lovely
set up.
- Zandvoort town seems to be moving noticeably downstream and hotels
were, at best, indifferent. Whilst a few opted for the salubrious NH
Hotel just across from the circuit, others found themselves in more
unpleasant places culminating with the aptly-named Hotel Bade, which
was to have been the resting place for the Reddick equipe. They took
one look at the dungeon and disappeared again.
- Free practice on the Friday had the PMFC runners combined with the
so-called Alfa 147 GTA Challenge runners. These looked ever-so nice
and were not to be underestimated. Many a 360/Ch learnt the lesson the
hard way when trying to dive inside one at a corner - the Alfa never
put its brakes on and simply whizzed away again. These little critters
were seriously quick, with fabulous handling.
- Lewis Carter's sensational qualifying time not only caused much consternation
amongst the other PMFC runners but also with the European Challenge
competitors. He was over a second quicker than they, which led to inevitable
chuntering about whether anything had been altered on the car but, in
an attempt at quietening the situation, comparisons of data-loggers
showed that Lewis was quicker around the corners, later on the brakes
and earlier on the throttle than anyone else. One of the benefits of
being a young lad.
- After Gary Culver and David Preston struggled unsuccessfully to beat
out a dented front wing on their 360/Ch after a practice get-together
with Mark Cale's car they found a burly German at the other end of the
paddock who soon had the wing looking as good as new. The big teams
bring along their own panel beaters to each meeting, there is so much
damage. Some beer soon made the German even bigger.
- The fisticuffs in the paddock all started when Robin Ward was driving
Ollie's 360 back to the Damax awning. A paddock jobs-worth on the back
of a scooter shot out from between two trucks and gently tapped the
360. He then flipped his lid and proceeded to strangle Robin.The other
Damax boys, led by diminutive Steve, jumped to his rescue and it threatened
to become the fourth round of the Anglo-Dutch wars. Grudging peace was
finally restored but the Dutch oaf was still chuntering about breaking
everyone's neck as he gradually retreated.
If wars were won by feasting,
Or victory by song,
Or safety found in sleeping sound,
How England would be strong!
But honour and dominion
Are not maintained so,
They're only got by sword and shot,
And this the Dutchmen know
( Rudyard Kipling)
- Oliver Morley was missing when the none-too-pleased Clerk of the Course
called the special drivers' briefing on Sunday morning. A quick phone
call from Marco Attard's mobile telling him the fine for non-attendance
was €2000 soon had a panting and red-faced Ollie burst into the
room. Yah boo - the fine was only €150.
- The teams' catering is getting better and we are very pleased to announce
that the prize for the best tea and Battenburg goes to the Damax team
and for the best coffee and Kit-Kat to Scuderia Ecosse. The lunch at
Equipe Culvers looked pretty good too but one wasn't invited. We shall
continue to check out and report on the culinary efforts of the teams
in the future.
- Jason's newly sign-written truck perplexed us. It said in big letters
that the JMH team are "Prepairing" the XS 360 cars. Is this
a cross between preparing and repairing? Or is it anything to do with
Jason paring the roof off the trailer when he drove it under a low bridge.
We need to be told.
| Click here for |
Click here to return to the Pirelli
Maranello Ferrari Challenge page.
