The first meeting run by the new Castle Combe Racing Club takes place on Saturday March 25 at the Wiltshire circuit, with the prospect of a stunning battle between a former champion and a lap record holder.
Always a big attraction, the Melton Concrete Products Formula Ford 1600 championship is lining up for what could be the most thrilling season for many years.
The big story is that 2004 champion Ed Moore from Bradford On Avon will be pitted against lap record holder, Matt Rivett from Calne. Rivett returns to the fray with a Ray GR97, based on the modern ‘Zetec’ chassis, also used by Moore in Van Diemen form over the last 3 years with devastating results.
Rivett has contested only limited races during that time, though his 2002 record has remained defiantly intact. New kerbing at the circuit could well affect the times and the rivalry between the two is intense. Moore is desperate to add the lap record to his collection of honours and Rivett needs to settle an old score, having been denied the championship title in 2002 after clashes with Moore. What a great season in prospect!
But there’s more….Chepstow’s Nick Jones, the 2004 Pre ‘90 champion, will be using a similar Van Diemen chassis to that of Moore, whilst reigning Pre ’90 champion, Ben Norton, from Bratton is moving up to Class B with a Swift SC92.
Similarly equipped are Castle Combe’s Andrew Jones and Saltford’s Steven Jensen, the latter having jumped teams to the ubiquitous Kevin Mills Racing from Gloucester. Another strong championship contender and Kevin Mills driver is Stroud’s Paul Barnes, also Swift mounted.
The City of Bath fields two drivers this year, namely Michael Bradley in a Van Diemen RF90 in Class B and Chris Acton in his Reynard FF89 in Class C. Amongst Acton’s local rivals will be Faulkland’s Andrew Miles, Castle Combe’s Richard Watkins, Bradford On Avon’s Andrew Crapnell, Kington St Michael’s Jim Hamilton and Chippenham’s Pete Diccox.
The circuit’s National Mobile Windscreens Saloon Car Championship also sees the return of a former champion in the shape of Tim Hanlon from Holt. Hanlon and his Peugeot 205 GTi dominated Class B for over 3 years and still hold the record. For 2006, the ‘99 champion has a new SEAT Ibiza Cupra for the 1800 to 3.0 litre class and should be able to challenge for outright honours. Interestingly, Bill Brockbank from Stonehouse is fielding a similar car and Ditcheat’s Kevin Bird has a Seat Leon Cupra R.
Nevertheless, it’s likely that Keith Murray will remain the man to beat in his stunningly fast Audi A4 Quattro.
The circuit’s Special GT Championship has similar fascinations and interest. Bath’s Guy Woodward is back at the wheel of a Jade Trackstar and will be up against David Krayem in the mighty B6 Stealth. Experienced sports car racer, Steve Coen from Calne, has built a new ADR with a turbocharged 1.3 litre bike engine, running in the same class as the 6.6 litre B6 and the 3.5 litre Jade! A real David and Goliath battle!
Also ADR mounted, though normally aspirated, is Corsham’s James Johnson, with Cirencester’s Rob Clarke and Doynton’s Dave Smith, joining him in Class B with Radical Clubsport and Mallock MK34 respectively.
A very full supporting programme sees the inimitable Formula Vee championship make a long awaited return to Castle Combe. Effectively single seater VW Beetles, the Vees are incredibly closely matched and surprisingly quick. John Hughes and Ben Evans are Bristol’s representatives.
Classic Saloons and Historic Touring Cars relive the early days of the British Saloon Car Championship, with Weston Super Mare’s Tony Lake amongst the myriad of different machinery in his Morris 1000.
Staying with the close competition theme, the three races for Caterham Graduates, Super Graduates and Mega Graduates, will be as close as any you are likely to see. Bristol’s Pete Cannard is the sole West Country representative amongst the massive entry.
Finally, a new series to Castle Combe is the Easytrack Production BMW Championship, catering for the popular 318i and 320i BMWs from the late ‘80’s.
Saturday's action starts at 8.40 am with qualifying, racing getting under way from 1.00 pm.
Admission prices are £12 for adults, £6 for OAPs, £2.50 for paddock transfer, 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
