Just thirteen cars were listed in the programme for the PFO event: three Ferraris in Class S and ten F355 Challenge cars in Class C. This field was reduced to only 11 with no-shows from Charlie White (damaged gearbox in testing) and Rory Fordyce, whose modified 328GTB is still not race-ready.

As we have seen before, even though the numbers are low, this series gives a good account of itself in the excitement stakes and we looked forward to some close racing despite inhospitable weather.

Qualifying commenced at 10.00am on a wet and slippery track. The rain was fitful and the lap times achieved were extraordinarily good considering the conditions. Marco Pullen’s time of 55.046 captured pole position by a not insignificant one-and-a-half seconds. Gary Culver joined him on the front row beating Mark I’Anson by half a second or so. I’Anson’s car, damaged at Snetterton had been miraculously transformed from banger to concours condition by Prosport. Wayne Marrs, despite a number of spins, brought the ‘Fresh ‘N’ Fruity’ F355 into 4th spot just ahead of Simpson’s Class S car.

A couple of drivers – Tim Mogridge and David Edge – had elected to use Pirelli PZero Corsa road tyres in the mistaken belief that they might work as intermediates. The choice was not a good one for two reasons: (a) in the conditions they were less good than both slicks and full wets and (b) the PFO Regulations do not allow them. To avoid any official penalty, both drivers agreed to voluntarily start the race from the back of the grid.

Race
The lousy wet conditions were no better for the race itself, a 20-minute affair starting at 15.15. There was one absentee: Tris Simpson had switched from slicks to rain tyres, but the latter were mounted on rear wheels so wide that they stuck out inches beyond the car’s wheel arches. An eagle-eyed scrutineer spotted the contravention of safety regulations and sadly Tris was not allowed to take his place on the grid.

From the start, Culver took the lead into the first corner and despite constant harrying from second-placed Pullen, he clung onto first place as if his life depended on it. Behind the two leaders it was Wayne Marrs who held on to third even though he was being hounded by I’Anson, Hathaway and the slow starting Mogridge from the back of the pack.

For the first nine laps there was rarely daylight between the two leaders. Culver’s experience was matched by Pullen’s youthful tenacity. It was a great battle to watch and most spectators were on tip-toe.

Then, at the start of lap 10, Pullen, who had been poking his nose up Culver’s inside for a lap or two as they braked for Druids, finally got his chance. Gary made a slight error by going wider than usual and that was all that Marco needed to slip by and take the lead. As soon as he got in front he pulled away from Culver’s chasing F355 by around a second a lap, the gap being about 5 seconds with five laps to go. Third placed Marrs’s lead over I’Anson was being gradually nibbled away until, on lap 8, the latter took over the position.

Elsewhere there were some great skirmishes taking place, one of the best being the three car battle between Hathaway, Lester and Edge. We were impressed by how much David Edge has blossomed as a circuit driver and here, in spite of the nasty conditions, he was showing really dogged determination as well as skill.

Three laps from the end, with the race seemingly sewn up, Pullen gave us all a scare (as well as himself, perhaps) when he went charging over the grass at Surtees in an over-ambitious manoeuvre when lapping a slower car. He dealt with the situation well, and proceeded on his way without losing much time at all.

After 20 minutes and 22 laps the chequered flag brought the race to an end. Marco Pullen had scored another notable victory in a needle match with the formidable Gary Culver. Tim Mogridge picked up third after a gritty drive through the field. And in that three car duel further down the order, it was David Edge who came out on top, in front of his well matched rivals Jeff Lester and David Hathaway.

Sorry folks, no pics....

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