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The Pirelli Ferrari Open series has struggled all year for entries and
it was a modest field of ten cars which turned up for the final race of
the season. The entries were split evenly between the two classes, with five 355/Chs
in the "C" class and a slightly motley collection of modified
tipos in the "S" class. This, however, included the well-known
GT4s of John Taylor and Nicky Paul-Barron, both experienced PMFC racers,
and the nicely-prepared ex David Barker 328 of Tris Simpson. Qualifying saw Gamski grab pole with his well-tried 355, but an impressive second was I'Anson who was looking very racy, and third (and first of the 'S' - class runners) was Taylor's GT4 which was showing some serious power attributes! The autumnal sun was pretty low in the clouds in the sky by the time of the late afternoon rolling start for this 20 minute race. The field piled into Riches Corner four abreast, which wasn't going to work, and Reeder disappeared off into the undergrowth to re-join at the very tail of the field. Gamski moved into an immediate lead but behind there was a great battle between Taylor, White and I'Anson. Mogridge was in a lonely fifth place in the early stages but there was then another tight group consisting of Simpson, NP-B and Chester, with Atkinson-Willes dropping back and Reeder trying to catch up from his first lap spin. Whilst Gamski disappeared into the distance the group behind him produced a tremendous race. Taylor initially held the advantage but was pressed very hard by White and I'Anson. On the tenth lap Charlie actually got through into second place until he spun it all away again three laps later and dropped back into fourth and was then caught and passed by Mogridge as well. Taylor was therefore handed his second place back and just shot across the line at the finish a second or so ahead of I'Anson, with Mogridge and White barely separable some 8 seconds behind. Simpson had a lonely race to finish sixth, with NP-B's down-on-power GT4 not able to keep up, although he was able to keep the 308 of Chester and the 246/348/206 [should we call it an 800 or a 266.67? - Ed.]. Although it had been a somewhat sparse field, the battles for second to fifth places had proved highly entertaining and really all this series needs is a whole bunch more entries for 2007. Several of the 'Open' racers took part in the popular 'Sports vs. Saloons' race the same day, they took three of the first four places with Charlie White winning. Unless there are more 'Open' entries next year, this sort of event is undoubtedly where these cars will end up.
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