Circuit News
Formula Ford phenomenon continues at Castle Combe
Formula Ford 1600 has been enthralling the crowds at Castle Combe since 1969 and this Bank Holiday Monday, May 4, should be no different.
Castle Combe's Husqvarna Springtime Raceday is likely to see a continuation of the phenomenally close battle from a field so packed with entries, a qualification race is necessary.
The opening round on Easter Monday showed the 2009 season will be as closely fought as ever, the depth of talent truly remarkable given the high quality of previous years and the racing still some of the best you will witness anywhere on earth.
Nevertheless, a real runaway victor still managed to emerge from the compressed field of protagonists. Bratton's Ben Norton, driving the Spectrum 011 which has been gradually developed with the help of the students from the 'in house' Wiltshire College, romped to a 3.6 second win, leaving the others to squabble amongst themselves. Further aerodynamic tweaks in the pipeline should wring even more from the Australian chassis as the year progresses.
Pole man Andrew Jones from the village, resumed his battle with his nemesis, Steven Jensen from Saltford, the latter improving on his 3rd placed grid position to take second in his locally built Swift SC09. Jensen's car is another to receive an aerodynamic upgrade shortly which should make the Swift less susceptible to slipstreaming from following cars.
Making a welcome return is Matt Rivett, whose sole ambition seems to be to beat his old rival and former champion, Ed Moore from Bradford on Avon, which he managed at Easter after Moore bogged down at the start. Watch out for another no holds barred duel this time. Another strong challenger for Moore and the others will be Nelson Rowe from Wotton under Edge, back with a Van Diemen RF99 in Class A. Bath's Chris Acton should not be discounted either in the Ray GRS08.
Challenging Rivett for class B honours will be the likes of David Vivian from Bradford on Avon, who took second last time and 2008 Class B champion, Felix Fisher from Bridgwater whose Swift SC92 was uncharacteristically off the pace.
Cirencester's Tom Margetson will be looking to beat Julian Heap to Class C victory after out-qualifying him last time.
Similarly successful is the circuit's Saloon Car Championship in association with National Mobile Windscreens. A few of the regular names may be missing this time after a multi car shunt just after the start at the opening round. The accident sidelined Bristol's Mark Wyatt in the Astra, Cirencester's Jonathan Wills in the MG Maestro, Ditcheat's Kevin Bird in the SEAT Leon, Bristol's David Kift and his Peugeot 106 and father and son team, David and Ben Urquhart from Yeovil.
Such is the strength of the championship, a tremendous race still ensued, with some notable star drives. Reigning champion, Will Di Claudio from Chippenham, took Class C in his first outing in his newly upgraded 106 but will be fiercely challenged by Yate's Nick Charles this time, his similar Peugeot a little faster than Di Claudio's but delayed by the Folly accident.
Class D will see a similarly fraught battle resume between Jason Cooper, from Yatton Keynell, in his superbly prepared Fiesta and Bath's Ollie Lewis in the 106. Against the odds, Lewis was more than a match for the Ford driver, setting the fastest lap, despite being pipped to the class win. Expect these two to provide some thrilling competition this year.
Out front, the Mitsubishi Evos will be dominant with Cheltenham's Laurence Kilby hoping his daunting 'rat look' Evo 9 RS is reliable this time after failing to start the opening round.
Bath's Guy Woodward is another local hoping his car is up to scratch having also missed the opening round. His Jade has now been upgraded with a more powerful Nissan engine and should be the class of the savesometax.co.uk Special GT field.
Nevertheless, opening round victor Andrew Shanley from Trowbridge will have the bit between his teeth in the Radical which has already won the championship twice outright and its class three times in the hands of Louis Davidson. Simon Tilling will be doing his best to deny him with his more powerful SR3 variant. Ed Moore relies on 2 litre Vauxhall power in his Mallock as a sideline to his FF1600 exploits.
Mark Funnell continues to drive his giant killing Lotus Exige from his home in Trowbridge and will also be favourite to win the Castle Combe Racing Club Open Sports and Saloon race. His opposition should include the mighty Evo 3 of Melksham's Simon Norris.
Class D see Castle Combe's Keith Sprules looking to get back to form in his Ferrari 360 Challenge car.
Staying with mixed saloon and sports car races is the 20 minute thrash for the LMA Euro Saloon and Sports Car championship. A number of current and former circuit racers will be out, including Mark Harrison from Kingston Bagpuize in the Owen Developments Mitsubishi Evo and former saloon champion, Ilsa Cox, in her SEAT Leon Cupra.
More saloon cars show up in two races for the Gaz Shocks Production BMW Championship catering for the popular E30 shape 3 series Beemers. Locals include Marlborough's Jerry Brown, Bristol's James Redish and Salisbury's Stuart Waite.
The Ma5da MX5 championship has two ten lap races of competitive action for these ever popular little road rockets. Tom Roche is the man in the lead so far this year.
Monday's action starts at 8.40 am with qualifying, racing getting under way from 1.00 pm.
Admission prices are £15 for Adults, £7.50 for OAPs, £2.50 for Paddock Transfer, whilst accompanied children under 16 are admitted free.
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