RACE 10 : 30 August 2010
report by Nicky Paul-Barron

With entry levels uncertain our PFO race at Castle Combe was incorporated into a Trimarque (Ferrari, Aston Martin and Porsche) Challenge. Oddly enough no Aston entries were attracted, so it became Ferrari vs Porsche as last year. I will concentrate on our boys only for the purposes of this report. Fourteen Ferraris qualified, twelve of which were proper PFO cars, and two were formula classics just looking for another fix.

It is clear that there is a vast range of performance possible from the various cars and drivers in PFO and this makes it hard to assess how well anyone is doing. So, let’s start with some basic statistics to help perspective. In 2005 Gary Culver managed a 1.11.3 in his 360 Challenge with the aero pack fitted. In the same race Witt Gamski lapped in 1.14.9 in his 355 Challenge. As far as I am aware the circuit is unchanged from this time.

Our pole sitter, with a 1.09.59, was Nima Khandan-Nia, driving his M-Tech run 430 GT3. Next up was Gary Eastwood in a 430 Challenge, and Mark McAllister, also 430 Challenge. Mick Dwayne qualified 4th of the Ferraris on a 1.13.41 in his 360/Ch. with Graham Reeder's 355 in 5th place on a 1.14.46. It was good to see Paul Brooks in the Foskers 456, and Paul Unsworth in his 550. Both cars added greatly to the event.

The 12 lap race got off to a rather tardy rolling start in pretty much qualifying order. If we are to adopt rolling start in PFO next year we really have to do better than this. The field spread out quite quicky, although the front two were in close competition throughout. The tail end were being lapped by lap 6, which did mix things up a little and made for exciting moments. The gap between Reeder and Mogridge (355/Ch.s) for example fluctuated in traffic, although Reeder always had the better pace.

At the flag it was Nima Khandan-Nia taking the win from Gary Eastwood, who actually had the fastest race lap at 1.08.88. Next up was Mark McAllister from Mick Dwayne. Mick had got his 360 down to a respectable 1.12.29 in the race. Reeder was the first 355 home. Paul Brooks managed a 1.18.12 in the 456, and Paul Unsworth a 1.18.7 in the 550 – the times of these two V12s being very close indeed.

For next year we need the confidence to run a proper PFO race at Castle Combe. The numbers should support it. Lets hope for a really good PFO entry for the last race of the year at Donington. The speed differentials will be masked by greater numbers, and the drivers will have more fun.