Classic car lovers have their second chance this year to see saloons, sports and racing cars from another era compete at close quarters on the Castle Combe Circuit’s famous tarmac.
The Classic Car Weekly Classic Raceday on Saturday 6th August, features many of the cars from the “Top Hat” and “Cloth Cap” championships which thrilled the crowds in March.
This time, it’s the Historic Sports Car Club which has no less than six races devoted to the older models, backed by a race for the Jaguar XK Championship and the circuit’s three “own label” products.
One of the most spectacular cars out in March was the 5.3 litre Chevrolet Corvette Stringray in the hands of veteran race driver, Ted Williams, from Bristol. Four months ago, Ted shared the wheel spinning machine with his son, but this time, it’s all down to him in the HSCC Classic Sports Car race. Another Bristolian in the same event is Chris Clarkson in his Austin Healey 3000 Mark 1.
The popular HSCC 70’s Road Sports race has a mixture of mildly modified sports cars from that era, with ex hill climber, Charles Barter, often the one to beat. Son, Julian, has a TVR 3000M in the same class, as does Pewsey’s Neil Condliffe. Gloucester’s Paul Anderson is Porsche 928 mounted. Highworth’s Nigel Ashley has his Alfa Romeo GT1600 Junior and Cheltenham’s Adrian Rush a Ferrari Daytona Coupe.
Nelson Rowe from Wotton Under Edge rolls out his Crossle 20F in both the HSCC Historic Formula Ford and Classic Racing Cars championship races, with Cirencester’s Westie Mitchell joining him in the Formula Fords with his Merlyn Mk20.
The HSCC Historic Racing Saloons race is always a popular one, with Anglias, Riley 1.5s, Imps, Lotus Cortinas, Minis, Alfas and Jaguars all doing things their designers never intended. Bristolian Dan Cox is one of the Anglia pilots, his 105E being a 1500 model.
The HSCC Historic Road Sports race is similarly diverse, with the Ford Mustang muscle at one end of the scale and a 1200cc Tuner at the other. Somewhere in between is the Lotus Elan Si of Salisbury’s John Fitzgerald.
Stroud’s Paul Barnes and Chippenham’s Tim Reynolds are close as close can be at the head of the Melton Concrete Products Castle Combe FF1600 Championship. Although Barnes has a 3 point advantage, there are 30 available for a win, so effectively there is little between them. It was Reynolds who took the pole and victory at the last round and has the pyscological advantage of three fastest laps to one for Barnes. Newbury’s Pat Blakeney should not be discounted either. He was the fastest lapper last time on his way to second and is just nine points behind Reynolds in third.
Chepstow’s Nick Jones is team mate to Reynolds in the Kevin Mills Racing Van Diemen RF01 and lies 4th.
Saltford’s Steven Jensen had his strongest run to date last time, holding 3rd until a lap and a bit from home, when he was taken out by a back marker.
Castle Combe’s Andy Jones is hoping to benefit from his new Spirit WL05, a car which should be quick once sorted.
Bratton’s Ben Norton is still clearly the fastest Sarik Vacform Pre’90 runner in his Swift FB89, with a massive lead over Kington St Michael’s Jim Hamilton in the Van Diemen.
The Castle Combe Special GT Championship has it’s usual diverse entry including Bath’s Guy Woodward in the Mowbray Woodwards Jade Trackstar. The 3.5 litre Chrysler engined device expired at the last race whilst leading, but Woodward still leads Class A and is totally enthusiastic about his newly discovered machine.
Corsham’s James Johnson and Nailsea’s Paul Wilson have a pair of unusual, motor cycle engined ADR Sports, whilst Castle Combe’s Keith Sprules is the Ferrari man in Class D.
Cirencester’s Jonathan Wills surprised the rest of the National Mobile Windscreens Castle Combe Saloon Car Championship field by setting 3rd fastest qualifying time in his unlikely MG Maestro Turbo.
Prior to that race, no-one had led the Audi A4 Turbo of Nailsworth’s Keith Murray, but the venerable Maestro was not to be underestimated, Wills managing to lead for almost a lap before Murray recovered his composure and went on to win, though significantly, Wills claimed fastest lap.
Westbury’s Tony Pharo headed the qualifying time sheets for Class B in his Peugeot 205GTi, but was slow away from the line and then lost it at Quarry, leaving Paul Gardner to take the class. Cardiff’s Tony MacWhirter needs a finish to stand a chance of reclaiming his initial points lead in his Corsa.
Saturday’s action starts at 8:35am, with qualifying, racing gets underway from 1:30pm.
Admission prices are £10 for Adults, £5 for OAP’s, Paddock Transfer £2.50, whilst accompanied children under 15 are admitted Free.
For further information, visit the Castle Combe Circuit website on www.castlecombecircuit.co.uk built by Racecar
