With just three rounds remaining in our 2022 programme, Prescott 2 was a key event for some of our PFHC competitors.  The Bugatti Owners Club, who own and operate the hill have hosted a Ferrari class for more years than you could shake a stick at, and throughout the history of the FOC it has always featured twice in our annual calendar.  In recent times, the ‘Bug Club’ – as it is affectionately called – seems to have encountered a few problems.  In an effort to resolve the difficulties there has been a wholesale change of personnel, with previous systems and methods being altered, not always for the better.

Unfortunately this affected the PFHC’s appearance at the meeting on Saturday 3^rd September.  Normally the Ferraris would be allocated an appropriate position in the paddock: either an area on the grass near the Start or, if it wasn’t being occupied by Bugattis running in their own class, the spacious ‘Bugatti Terrace’.  All this is good sense, since the Ferraris are arguably the widest and lowest of the road cars taking part.  For some unexplained reason, we were shoe-horned into a cramped area at the very top of the paddock where the cars had to be carefully manoeuvred with great difficulty, and with a risk of damage in so doing.  Our sensible appeal to be allowed to use the deserted Bugatti Terrace (the Bugattis were not due until the following day) was refused: “The board of the Bugatti Owners’ Club have said that in future only Bugattis can use the Terrace”, we were summarily informed.  Another of our problems was the timing of the Ferraris: our first timed run was to be immediately after the lunch break; the second, and final run, the last of the day.  So we looked like kicking our heels in the afternoon for over four hours.  Add to this continual changes from the Final Instructions and the meeting sadly became perhaps the most disorganised we have ever attended.

The Ferrari class was reduced to 10 after Dave Snelson withdrew and the non-arrival of Martin Jones – an unfortunate victim of Covid 19.  We wish Martin a speedy recovery. Pauline Goodwin turned up without her race suit, an omission rapidly rectified by a photographer, who happily had with him a set of overalls to lend her (a bit on the large side, as you will see from the photos).  Indicating how cramped we were in the paddock, the Scrutineer managed to damage the writer’s F355 by banging an adjacent Ferrari door against the bodywork.  We were hustled down for first practice at 8.30am sharp.

P1 times were adversely affected by all that early hassle in the paddock.  John Kennedy was without his family support but drove his California T with his usual verve to record 52.89.  Steve Thompson (488GTB) posted an excellent 51.16, just 0.61 sec quicker than record-holder Nick Taylor in his 430.  Following first practice, there seemed to be exceptionally long periods of inactivity on the hill.

P2 eventually arrived, producing generally better times.  Thompson dipped below 50 seconds (49.75) to lead the field from Taylor – now with incipient clutch slip – on 50.12, and Kennedy (51.02).  Of the others, the two 360 Modenas of Preece and Wibberley produced almost identical competitive times: 53.79 and 53.62 respectively. Pauline G. showed that her over-size overalls were no handicap.

The first timed run for the Ferraris was changed to immediately before the break for lunch (instead of after, as per the Finals).  So, very strangely, we lined up for R1 without a pause after P2. Kennedy improved to a very useful 50.70. Preece recorded an exceptional run in 51.81, some 3 seconds ahead of his rival Wibberley (54.90).  Pauline Goodwin clocked her fastest ever in her 328GTB (54.24).  Steve Nunney (348 ts) continued his good progression with an excellent 57.93 while Nick Taylor set what was to be the winning class FTD: 49.52.

Sadly, our final competitor, Steve Thompson, was immediately unlucky.  As he entered the Esses, near the top of the hill, his 488GTB slid into the barrier and he came to an abrupt halt.  Thankfully he immediately got out of the car without injury although the meeting was delayed for a long period while the damaged Ferrari was recovered.  We are happy to report that Steve was subsequently in good spirits despite the nasty experience.

And then things paused for lunch.  The Bugatti restaurant beckoned but on this occasion proved to be a disappointment, with only three (one vegan) choices of dish on offer.  With few people at the dining tables there is, perhaps, another message that needs to be picked up by BOC.  During the long afternoon we were wonderfully entertained by a number of fly-overs by a lone WW2 Lancaster bomber.  It flew at very low – almost worryingly low – altitude.  The old aircraft brought back lots of memories for many of us at Prescott that day.

And then, with the track temperature cooling significantly, it was time for the last runs of the day.  The Ferraris – now just eight of them, since Nick Taylor had prudently withdrawn in view of his 430’s  clutch slip  – assembled for R2.  Everyone, apart from a faster starting Mark Wibberley, was predictably slower than R1.  The calculations were made and the day’s winners were determined.  The Scratch and BOC Award winners were 1^st: Nick Taylor (49.52) 2^nd: John Kennedy (50.70) 3^rd: Richard Preece (51.51).  Nick Taylor collected the 20 Championship points with Steve Nunney being rewarded with the Ferrari Handicap award. Paul Booth’s beautifully presented 458 Spider was adjudged the winner of the best presented Ferrari.

We finally adjourned to the bar, where Nick Taylor had generously left some cash to treat everyone to a celebratory drink.  Cheers Nick!  And, to their credit, the Bugatti OC sent a representative to the bar to present our winners with their awards.