And so to the final race of this year’s Open series and, as always, there was a bit of finger-chewing to see how big a field would actually turn up. It was an unlucky 13 but that wouldn’t bother Marco Pullen (328) who likes to race with no. 13 on his car – and had to get dispensation from the puzzled race organisers who normally don’t issue that number.

Of the 13 there were no less than nine 355/Chs. Anyone would think there were enough to start their own series, and they now keep coming back from abroad where not even a year ago most of the UK ones were sold to. They went to Japan, China and Scandinavia, and are now hot-footing back., a bit more tired than before but they still provide a good solid race car.

It was the usual stalwarts who formed up in the assembly area for morning practice, with the likely winner coming from Pullen or the Charlie White (355/Ch) ensemble, although everyone cast an apprehensive eye towards the F512M of Alan Cosby which has also been a winner this year.

As it turned out qualifying didn’t exactly follow predictions and it was ex-rallyist Mark I’Anson who put his 355/Ch on pole with an excellent 1:16.8 time, followed by Pullen’s 328 and then a whole bunch of 355/Chs in the order Edward Bourn, Mike Reeder, brother Graham Reeder, and then a subdued Charlie White. It seemed that Cosby’s day was going to be a trying one as his 512 stuck in second gear on the out lap and he ended up last on the grid. But at least the problem was fixed and he would have his chance in the race. One thing about a small grid is that it doesn’t take long to make up places!

Definitely a non-starter was Graham Reeder, however, whose 355/Ch didn’t like its post-Spa engine repairs and it expired after a few practice laps.

Just 12 then formed up on the grid for the afternoon race, in nice sunshine. The rolling start procedure got under way and in the drag down to Redgate for the first time it looked as though I’Anson just had his nose in front of Pullen and Bourn, but on the exit he got into a wobble and dropped down to third.. The order as they came round the first time was Pullen, Bourne, the recovering I’Anson, Mike Reeder and Charlie White who was beginning his climb up the order. Also moving up from right at the back was the Cosby 512.

Pullen looked to be comfortable at the front but Bourn was right there with him and, by the third lap, I’Anson was right on the back of this pair. But on the fourth lap I’Anson spun at McLeans and dropped down to sixth, and by now Charlie had moved further up into third place and was beginning to look at the two leaders.

On lap 5 Richard Atkinson-Willes spun his Dino replica at Redgate when a burst water hose covered his rear tyres in hot water, and when the leaders came round the next lap Marco got through ok but Bourn was unsighted, hit the damp patch, and spun into the gravel and into retirement.

This gave Pullen a comfortable and untroubled lead, with White getting to within a few seconds but not able to close any more. Tim Mogridge gave White a great chase, even looking down the inside once or twice, but was not able to find a way through, and in the meantime Cosby was really flying in the 512, getting all the way into fourth place and setting the fastest lap in the process. If only he had started from the front he would have been in overall hunt. Since about the second lap the car had been smoking like an old ocean liner, but it was only an overfull catch tank and it continued its majestic progress.

Mark I’Anson's eventful race kept him down the order, otherwise he too would have been a front runner as was shown by his pole on the grid; especially pleased must have been Tris Simpson whose fragile 328 kept itself together for once and he had a great race, setting a laptime just a smidgeon slower than that of the well-sorted 328 of Pullen. Behind that lot there was a huge dice between the 355s of David Edge, Wayne Marrs and Robert Pulleyn until the middle man, Marrs, had the mother of all spins coming out of the chicane. The car went round and round countless times just up against the pit wall but somehow managed to avoid contact. Seasoned watchers had seen this sort of stuff usually end in tears with a heavy shunt into the wall – but somehow it never happened and a chastened Marrs picked it all up and continued.

Marco Pullen won by 4 seconds from White, having driven another tidy, safe and quick race, with Mogridge less than a second behind in third. Then there was a gap before two of the ‘nearly’ men crossed the line – Cosby and I’Anson who could both have been contesting the front but for various factors.

Again, it had been an entertaining race, but nine finishers from 12 starters doesn’t always keep the spectators amused. This was the last race of the season for the Open boys and it’ll soon be decision time as to whether to continue next year. The MSA like a minimum of 15 regular starters and one does wonder where they are going to come from. Still, let's wait and see....