Classic Motorshow @ the NEC - 2016

Following a phone call from the Ferrari Owners Club HQ that the plan for 2016 would be to display a grid full of the classic race cars used in the Pirelli Ferrari formula classic series the challenge was set.

We had to:
- Attend a doctors appointment that couldn't be moved
- Complete a day in the office
- Drive 3 hours to Birmingham
- Offload the racecar, which hasn't moved since it was loaded at the end of the Silverstone weekend
- Push it onto the display stand and give it a bit of a tidy
- Store the trailer and tow-car
- Walk to the train station
- Travel to Birmingham
- Get 5 hours sleep
- Jump on a train up north for work on Friday.

Phew.

Well I'm now home after finishing work on Friday and delighted we did it.  The display looks fab and with the 355 positioned at the back of the grid it reminds me of the Brands race where we had to come through the full field after starting in the pit-lane.

The great thing about displaying a car is once in place I had an opportunity to look around the deserted halls, with the Ford GT racer and an egg shell blue 911rs taking my eye.


Looking forward to Sunday where I'm returning to collect the car, after a look around the show myself.

Ready for the start

Just ahead of Nick Cartwrights 328

And they are off

Mellow Yellow

GT40s look fab

Want

Want

Want

#BankCurious

2016 Pirelli Ferrari formula classic - Brands Hatch Indy - Race 2

What a fantastic weekend at the Festival Italia weekend at Brands Hatch, Kent.  Although the Indy Circuit isn't my favourite the whole event itself was fantastic.

Grid walk was a great idea ahead of Race 1

Race 1 didn't go quite to plan.  Starting from 2nd on the grid, I managed to get a great start and held a comfortable lead before catching the back markers.  Watching the close fight between Moorwood and Ugo into Paddock Hill I dive to the inside, but unfortunately William doesn't see me and moves across, pushing me onto the grass.  'It's difficult to stop on grass' I'm sure you are aware, so I'm fortunate to get out of the gravel on the outside of Druids to limp back to the pits for some TLC ahead of the next race,  Italia v Angelis.

Although we had an off in Race 1, it could have been worse (Check out the Alfa roll) Autosport - 18.8.16

After clearing out the gravel, we miss the assembly for the first Italia v Angelis race and start from the pit lane.  It's a shame I didn't have my camera setup as I loved every minute of the race, cutting through the field.  Watching the way each car handled the tight Indy circuit was very entertaining. Although most were on slicks the 355 had the balance to push through to a 2nd overall.

I explain the theory of Black 355s to Einstein on the way to Race Control

Finally, Race 2 of the classic, this time with video connected.  I'll let you check the footage, but 0.021 seconds was the gap between 2nd and 3rd.  Who was 2nd?

Race 2 footage - Photo Finish

2016 Pirelli Ferrari formula classic - Provisional Calendar

2016 Pirelli Ferrari formula classic - Provisional Calendar

The 2016 calendar is now in draft and the F355 Challenge cars have been invited to join in.  We are covering the main UK tracks along with a return to Spa for a European event and the introduction of Val de Vienne.

Pirelli Ferrari formula classic

Race	Date	Venue
Races 1&2	May 7	Oulton Park International (D/H)
Races 3/4/5	June 2-5	Val de Vienne (T/H)
Races 6&7	July 2/3	Donnington Park GP (D/H)
Races 8&9	July 22-24	Spa-Francorchamps (D/H)
Races 10&11	August 14	Brands Hatch Indy (D/H)
Races 12&13	August 26	Castle Combe (D/H)
Races 14&15	September 23/24	Silverstone GP (D/H)
D/H - Double Header T/H - Triple Header