PIRELLI MARANELLO FERRARI CHALLENGE

• Having three Ferrari races crammed into one day, not to mention three separate qualifying sessions, meant that everyone involved in the organisation was well worn out by the end. Photographers, scribblers and officials were noticeably wilting and series coordinator Anne Swift's bike probably did more miles than any of the racing cars.
  
  
• Graypaul put on an excellent display of cars outside the Club's hospitality marquee, including a Maserati Quattroporte. In the past your website has been accused of being less than entirely favourable towards Ferrari's sister marque. We are very very very sorry - and please can we have it again for the next track day ?
  
  
• Just how many preparers can you have in one weekend? Kevin Riley's 360 enjoyed the ministrations of Shiltech, Martin Shaw, MHT and maybe even a few others before landing in Damax's emporium on the Saturday night. It certainly seems to have worked because he planted it firmly on pole for the first race and earned himself the Wilkinson Driver of the Day award for two strong outings.
  
  
• Speaking of Riley, he hasn't raced for 20 or so years but has certainly done a bit in his time. Amongst other things, he drove the F5000-based 7.4 litre Chevy-powered "BMW M1" in the Donington GT series. He shared the monster with special saloon car legend Mick Hill, who was seen in the PMFC hospitality unit. Not many were old enough to recognise him. We were tempted to ask for an autograph, but were too shy.
  
  
• Another saloon car legend, Vince Woodman, put his 355 on "C" class pole for the same race. Maybe there is a trend emerging here of old salooners turning to Ferraris. When can we see Dave Brodie, Gerry Marshall, Wizzo Williams et al in the PMFC?
  
  
• Mike Furness was a reluctant spectator. His 355/Ch bent a bunch of valves at the previous Silverstone race. This had all been fixed but then a misfire appeared. Attard was another in the wars. Transmission maladies caused his own 360 to be hobbled in Q1 and a recalcitrant injector on a borrowed 360 in Q2. Strange that the cure for this was to change the drive shaft. Mysterious are the ways of Marelli Magic!
  
  
• Phil Nuttall's 355 blew the back out of his silencer in Race 1. If that wasn't enough to make anyone miserable, they were playing "Coldplay" on their sound system. They fixed it for Race 2 with the bottom cut out of a fuel tin, pop rivets and Gun Gum. "Blue Peter" badges all round we reckon, chaps!
  
  
• Sign of the F1 times: the Barcelona GP was on the telly in the hospitality tent but, as the Ferraris were leading away with another 1 - 2, there was no one paying much attention. Seems we all enjoyed it the more when someone like Alesi was dragging a recalcitrant Fazza to the finish line for a third place. Still, that Schuey is a special racer, quite probably the best ever.
  

David Dove flew to pole for the second race	Alan Newton's 360 was back on full song	Dagenham or Maranello: all the same to Vince	It was nice to see Terry back
Not the latest boy band, just 3 sweaty drivers	Marco wonders which way to the grid	Riley was Wilkinson 'Driver of the Day'	Back (c) and Reddick renewed their rivalry

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The Series' Coordinator looks unimpressed by "Hot In Car Action" (cert. 18)

Graypaul put on a nice display

Damax were busy boys

Phil Nuttall demonstrates the 355 Ch.'s superb ergonomics

The good old days - Alesi struggles his nuts off with the F92A

All the winners in the beer tent afterwards

Should be 'Peter Everingham's Ferrari' - but it isn't

pics by Paul/Fotografia Corse, CMdigicams & Graham Easter