PIRELLI MARANELLO FERRARI CHALLENGE

• Bit depressing writing about two races in which there were nine entrants and just five finishers in each. A lot of people were discussing where all this is going to leave the series? The MSA require an average of 16 starters to approve a championship so on that basis it looks difficult. The 360/Ch drivers and their cars have drifted off to some pretty high-profile championships: British GT, European 360s, and of course the BritCar series, all of which are heavily promoted.

• Lap times make interesting reading. The quickest 360 this time did a 1:13.8 - with the full aero pack. But back in 2003 Lewis Carter did a 1:12.3 with no wings at all. So, do these things actually do anything or are they just tea-trays? Mind you, they were introduced to protect the drivers from the vicissitudes of 360 handling on the limit so, as none went off, maybe they are doing their job. For the record, Callum Lockie did a 1:11.9 in the BritCar race the day before in a 360/Ch but that had an enhanced aero package, uprated brakes & suspension, and he's a pro driver. Makes Lewis's laptime seem even better.....
  
  
• The headscratching about the effectiveness of 360 wings caused an awkward moment when one paddock pundit asked a 360 team what the data-logging showed compared with the previous year. Er, turns out none actually uses their data-logging...... Back in the days when it was banned everyone insisted it was indispensable!

• Jim & Janet's fabulous watering-hole was a welcome haven from the relentless sun and made a great centre-point for the Ferrari racers - PMFC and formula classic teams alike. Parked right alongside was the Ferrari Classic Parts truck with a super diplay of their huge range of parts for the elder Ferrari tipos.

• Charlie White and his 355/Ch, still relative newcomers, did well in qualifying but then suffered a suspension balljoint failure in the first race. It's a standard part - and there were a number of road-going 355s parked in the area - and Charlie, with no spare to hand, went prowling around the car park to see if anyone could be talked into handing over their balljoints. But there was a general scattering of owners and he was an unfortunate non-starter for the second race.

• We are reminded to point out that this was Graham Reeder's first overall pole for a PMFC race, and we are glad to do so. Graham has been an enthusiastic Ferrari racer since the year dot, with 328s, 355s, and more recently with the 360/Ch. And whilst other teams turned up with ever-larger pantechnicons the Reeder brothers keep it all low-key, do all the work themselves, and just enjoy it. Bit like the Culvers.

• It seems to be only at Oulton and Snetterton that the local Area Group organises a lovely display of road Ferraris and this meeting was no exception. The circuit people had set aside an area for Ferrari parking and there was a really nice collection there. Other Area Groups take note for when the racers next hit your town.
  
  

   

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

Just 8 cars in the assembly area....

The hot weather brought out some horrendous sights

Snetterton's finest

Nice display of Area Group Fazzas

Ferrari Classic Parts brought along loads of goodies

Graham Reeder got his first PMFC pole

Ted collects his 'Driver of the Meeting' award from Chairman Jack

pics by Simon Cooke & CMdigicams