After the demise of the much-missed PMFC series due to lack of entries, it's the new Pirelli Ferrari Open Series that is designed to take its place. Unlike the PMFC the Open is more limited in the tipos that are eligible, being basically 355/Chs in one class and some modified stuff like 308s, 328s and Boxers in the other. 360s are no longer eligible so that the 355 drivers have a bit more of a chance...

As it turned out the entry list for the first Open at Donington consisted of just eleven cars – fewer than we had hoped but not a disaster. Of these there were six F355 Challenge cars in Class ‘C’ and five of the Class ‘S’ modified Ferraris. But then the list was reduced to nine when Alan Cosby withdrew after finding his F512M didn’t run properly when testing the previous week, and Robert Pulleyn had power steering pump failure in pre-event checks.

Qualifying commenced promptly just after 9 o’clock. There were no major problems other than Nicky P-B’s GT4 seemed to go off song when the engine was hot. Tim Mogridge’s 355/Ch times suffered by virtue of treaded Yokohamas, which also showed signs of splits in the walls.

The timesheets showed that Gamski (355/Ch) had set pole, although White (355/Ch) and I’Anson (355/Ch) were not far behind. The quickest of the ‘S’ cars was Nick Chester (308GTB), who set an identical time to Mike Reeder in his F355/Ch. Despite his engine problem, Nicky P-B was within a few hundredths of Chester’s fastest lap.

Just before 2.00pm the field was assembled for the first ever PFO race. Okay, there weren’t many cars but you had to be pretty phlegmatic not to get a tingle of excitement as you watched the cars going round on their parade lap.

From the lights, Gamski went straight into the lead from his pole position, with White and I’Hanson in hot pursuit. Then it was Chester, leading the ‘S’ cars, with Reeder and John Taylor (308GT4) sitting on his rear bumper .

Taylor soon led the‘S’ class, lapping a full 2 seconds faster than his best qualifying time. Nicky P-B was having an unhappy time, the 308GT4 now running on only seven of its eight cylinders. He pulled into the pits to retire on lap 4.

The positions at the front were unchanged throughout the rest of the 12 lap race. Gamski was turning in almost identical lap times until he eased towards the end. White gamely tried to hang on to Witt’s tail for the first five or six laps, but then an increasing gap appeared. However, he was well clear of I’Anson, who nevertheless was making an excellent start to his circuit racing career.

By lap 6, Taylor was on the same pace as the third placed F355/Ch and looked to have the class win in the bag. Sadly, on lap 9 he headed for the pits when an oil line came adrift causing a small fire that was quickly extinguished. At least he had the fastest ‘S’ lap to his credit.

Taylor’s demise brought Chester into the picture. Nick’s 308 seemed to be running well and was just as quick as Reeder’s 4th placed Challenge car on a number of laps. Behind Chester, Simpson was holding off Mogridge although the 328 was smoking quite badly – subsequently thought to be due to an overfilled oil tank.

The chequered flag brought the curtain down on this inaugural Open race with Witt Gamski taking the win 5 seconds ahead of Charlie White. Nick Chester’s 308GTB was one of two “S” class cars to survive, coming home fifth to take the class win. Hopefully, now that the owners of eligible cars see the series is actually alive and kicking it will encourage them to bring their cars out and more people will be able to enjoy the battle between the more modern, but standard 355/Chs and the older, but modified tipos.

With thanks to Anne & John Swift for the info.

Tim Mogridge's 355/Ch	NP-B's V8 thought it was a Rover!	Mike Reeder came home fourth in his trusty 355/Ch.	Tris Simpson's 328 was aquired on eBay!

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Witt Gamski led from the start

Debutant Mark I'Anson came home an excellent third O/A

Nick Chester picked up the "S" class honours...

...after John Taylor's rapid GT4 caught fire

Charlie White's 355/Ch finished second

Gamski took a comfortable win

pics by Simon Cooke