Our Open series began the year with just eight entries. In Q1 it was Marco Lee Pullen on pole with a most impressive time of 1.15.35. This is the ex - Paul Ciardiello yellow car that has been skillfully“woken up” by QV London for Marco. Now on slide throttle injection and full engine management it develops around 380 bhp and is clearly quite a weapon. Marco himself has been taking instruction in the winter from Eugene O’Brien, and this has clearly paid off. Of the current entries only the 512M of Alan Cosby can surely get on this pace. My congratulations to all concerned. The fastest 355 in Q1 was Mark I’Anson on a 1.19.29.

In Q2 it was Marco again (1.16.34) from Edward Bourne in his 355 (1.17.29). For the record Ted Reddick managed a 1.16.4 in PMFC 2003 in his 355. However this may have been a particularly quick day, as with hindsight the 360 times were good too.

Race One
By the time it started we had already lost Marco Lee Pullen from the line-up. He retired late in Q2 with a smoky engine. A dropped value was suspected. Cosby too did not take the start - a loose battery terminal preventing the car from firing up. So then there were six. Oddly enough it was a good race, won finally by Mark I’Anson from Tim Mogridge and Edward Bourn, all in 355s. They were very close and raced well throughout the 20 minutes. Fastest lap went to Ed Bourne on a 1.17.99.

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Race Two
At least we had the benefit of Alan Cosby, whose 512 was now running. He showed well at first but then faded eventually to retire on lap 12. The car had not been right all week-end. His eventual retirement was due to a crown wheel and pinion problem. We also lost Tim Mogridge (problem unknown) and Tris Simpson to mechanical failure (sounded expensive), so only 4 cars crossed the finish line. Winner this time Edward Bourne from Mark I’Anson and Wayne Mars. Wayne deserves great credit for his performance. It was his first ever race weekend and he did an excellent job.

Quite where Swifty goes with Open is anyone’s guess. This level of entries is simply not sustainable. If he invites 360s to play then I suspect that the 355s will go home. If he combines Open with classic we will loose a significant number of classic entries.

Use it or loose it!

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