Warm sunshine and a big Bank Holiday crowd who love watching our Ferraris race: not a bad recipe, particularly when we also have the Strawford Centre for hospitality.
The Open racers missed Thruxton, so this was their first time out since Spa. A decent mix of tipos took to the track for qualifying. Fastest was the 458 Challenge of Wayne Marrs with an excellent 1:07.77. Paul Bailey and Sam Smeeth were next up in their similar tipos, all three within a few tenths of each other.

In 4th was Graham Reeder who was out in his new toy - the ex - Hector Lester / Allan Simonsen 430 GT3. This is a pretty famous car, having won the first ever GT3 race and having competed and finished the Bathurst 12 hour. Apart from a brief shakedown on Thursday this was a maiden run for Graham, so he did very well. Also notable was the other Reeder run 430 of Tim Ingram-Hill. His time of 1:11.63 was more than respectable. Fastest of the four 355's was Vance Kearney.

By race time it was pretty hot in Wiltshire but Paul Bailey was a non-starter due to an internal oil leak in his 458's gearbox.

Based on previous form Smeeth may have been the top tip for a win. Wayne Marrs however had clearly not read the script and he lead the first lap from Reeder, with Smeeth a close third. From the top of the Strawford Centre it is possible to see the cars most of the way around the track. As long as they are different colours you can follow what is happening. White - Marrs, Yellow - Smeeth, Red - Reeder. It was mesmerising, and one of the best races seen in recent years.

Marrs has a great defensive game. He doesn't weave, or do anything naughty, but his car positioning can make it so hard to pass. It is a great skill. The lap times may have been a bit down but the racing was quite superb. As the battle ebbed and flowed Reeder was right there amongst the 458's, sometimes in second, sometimes third.

It was not until lap 8 that he started to drop back. It was a great effort. The result was in doubt until the last lap, with Marrs taking the flag just two tenths ahead of Smeeth. There was a great cheer in hospitality and everyone could breathe again.

Such was the intensity at the front that the others barely got a look in. Congratulations should however go to Tim Ingram-Hill and Paul Brooks (456) for excellent drives. As we have often said our Open series is so nearly the jewel in our club racing crown. If only we could attract a few more entries.

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