GOODYEAR MARANELLO FERRARI CHALLENGE
RACE REPORT : ROUND 7 & 8 : CASTLE COMBE

PADDOCK STORIES

• F355 Challenge gearboxes were again proving a weak point, with the cars of Marc Gachoud and Mike Roberts falling prey. In an attempt to solve the problem of excessive oil temperatures, the '98-spec Challenge cars are fitted with a gearbox cooling kit, which sounds like a useful retro-fit item for earlier models.

• Rumour has it that Ian Flux tested Hetherington's F50 at Donington during the week and was some three seconds under the F40 record. Either this means that the F50 is not quite the Wendy car as has often been thought or the F40s need to get a shift on or Fluxie is just a plain good driver. Or maybe a combination of all three.

• Cosby's F512M again succumbed to transmission problems following a good qualifying performance. Gearboxes are notorious for identifying the next weakest point and breaking it after the previous one has just been strengthened.

• What's happening to the F355/Ch boys? Last year Thornton's lap times were three seconds quicker at Combe, two seconds at Silverstone, three seconds at Donington but the same at Spa. Answers please from those that have them.

• A photographer caught the Peter Cook F40 accident on film and was trying to sell the pictures to the national dailies. Fortunately only a few took up the offer, although Autosport managed to print a dramatic photo.