Skip to main content

Magazine

  • Shell Ferrari Maserati Historic Challenge at Estoril 2005
  • Shell Ferrari Maserati Historic Challenge at Estoril 2005
  • Shell Ferrari Maserati Historic Challenge at Estoril 2005
Magazine

Shell Ferrari Maserati Historic Challenge at Estoril 2005

Classic Driver



The friendly rivalry between the Shell Ferrari Maserati Historic Challenge drivers, one of the world's most prestigious 'Gentleman Racers' series, continued last Saturday at the Estoril circuit in Portugal. As usual the event was split into two classes (based on performance), and two heats of each.

Race 1 was on Saturday afternoon with the faster cars, an event won by John Bosch’s Ferrari 512 BB LM. On the first lap, the Dutch driver put the heat on the fastest qualifier Paul Knapfield (512 BB LM) and quickly took the lead. In the end, the Englishman had to be content with second place, followed by Massimo Sordi, for a Ferrari 512 BB LM top three. A brilliant Peter Hardman did well to come fourth in the Ferrari Dino 246S (pictured below). Next across the line was Harry Leventis and his Ferrari 412P, edging out the Belgian Vincent Gaye in the short wheelbase Ferrari 250 Berlinetta.

The first race in the A and B group was full of excitement. After poleman, Josè Albuquerque, had to drop out with a mechanical problem, Alexander Boswell took the lead at the start, a lead he held until the sixth lap when Peter Heuberger moved to the front. Unfortunately for the Swiss driver, bad luck was just around the corner as the fuel pump on his 250F ceased to function properly on lap eight, forcing him out, thus giving Boswell the win.



Heuberger overcame his bad luck in heat 2 and cruised to the win. This time the race took place on a wet track on Sunday morning, the Swiss driver starting well and moving into an early lead over Alexander Boswell’s Ferrari 625 F1 - a car slowed by a clutch problem on lap seven. Nicolas Zapata, did well to finish second in the Ferrari 625 TR while third place was taken by Massimo Sordi and the Maserati 200S.

The event finished with the second race for the group C cars, John Bosch winning again, this time followed home by Massimo Sordi and Peter Hardman. Paul Knapfield, the leader for three-quarters of the race, had to retire with a gearbox problem.

The next date on the calendar is 22/23 October at Mugello, where the Shell Historic Challenge World Finals will take place.



Words: Classic Driver
Photos: Ferrari SpA - All Strictly Copyright

ClassicInside - The Classic Driver Newsletter
Free Subscription!