Classic racing from the ‘50s ‘60s and ‘70s is the theme for the next race meeting at the Castle Combe Circuit on Easter Monday April 17 with retro saloons and sports car races reliving a classic era.
The Easter Monday Raceday features four 45 minute races for the likes of the Cloth Cap Coys Trophy for pre ’66 European Historic Sportscars.
Bristolian Julian Bronson, one of the country’s most accomplished pilots of historic and classic race cars returns at the wheel of a 5.3 litre Chevrolet Corvette, having finished 9th in last year’s endurance
race at the wheel of the venerable Austin Healey 3000, ‘DD 300’.
Also Corvette mounted is fellow Bristolian racer Ted Williams, in his Stingray, with an oversubscribed field of AC Cobras,E-Types, TVRs, Morgans and even a Bizzarrini to beat.
Another well known Bristolian face is George Douglas, wheeling out his trusty Ginetta G12 in the up to 1600 cc invitation class.
Looking to beat the ‘big bangers’ is Marlborough’s Hugo Shipley in his deceptively fast Lotus Mk VI in class c.
The Top Hat Sir John Whitmore Trophy for Pre ‘66 Historic Touring Cars has Minis mixing it with Mustangs in a two driver race, which saw the Ford Falcon of Leo Voyzides and Andy Bacon triumph last
year, having been runners up the year before.
The ‘Groovy Baby’ Challenge for Soulful ‘70s Saloons is being run as a tribute to the late Gerry Marshall, one of the greatest saloon car drivers of all time. Watch out for Capris, Dolomites, 2002 BMWs, Fulvias, Alfas and even a Daimler Sovereign!
Completing the historic action is a capacity field for the ‘Oldies but Goldies’ Jack Sears Trophy for pre ‘60 European Historic Touring Cars and GTs.
Rae Davis will be out to perform a giant killing act with his rapid yet unlikely A35, with plenty of Jaguar XKs to contend with as well as an eclectic mix including an Austin A105, Volvo Amazon, Zodiac, Hillman
Minx, Standard Vanguard, Sunbeam Rapier and a Peerless GT. There’s also an invitation class for ACs.
In stark contrast are the circuit’s own three championships for saloons, Formula Ford 1600 and Special GTs.
Saltford’s Steven Jensen hit new form in the opening round of the Melton Concrete Products Formula Ford 1600 Championship, leading the race for a while and finishing a happy second. The youngster is
determined to win this year and the task of beating former championEd Moore from Bradford On Avon continues on Monday.
One of the most impressive drives at the opening round came from Bath’s Chris Acton, who worked his elderly Reynard up to 3rd overall, easily winning the Pre ‘90 class.
Calne’s Matt Rivett had a disappointing start to his 2006 campaign, dropping back to 5th after qualifying on the front row.
Veteran multiple champion, Bob Higgins, from Bath is always a contender to surprise his young opposition and will be looking to beathis 6th overall from last time.
Nick Jones from Chepstow, in a Van Diemen RF01, and Stroud’s Paul Barnes in his trusty Swift SC92 should also be in the hunt.
The National Mobile Windscreens Saloon Car was a cracker last time, former champ’ Gary Prebble winning after the retirement of Stroud driver Keith Murray and his Audi A4 Quattro.
Tim Hanlon from Holt, the former champion and lap record holder, will be hoping his SEAT Ibiza Cupra will be ready to go this time, whilst Bristol’s Mark Wyatt is back with his beautifully prepared Astra, also in
Class B. Nick Mizen, also from Bristol, went well last time in his Rover 220 Turbo, finishing 4th. Julian Ellison from Devizes has his Volvo S40 T4.
Midsomer Norton’s David Mears has his first outing of the year in his 205 and will be praying for rain, a downpour likely to put him and fellow ‘Pug’ driver, Simon Spearing, right up front.
The savesometax.co.uk Castle Combe Special GT Championship has some real vigour this year, a number of sophisticated sports racing cars in contention.
One of the front runners is Bath’s Guy Woodward, second at the last meeting in his purple Jade Trackstar complete with 3.5 litre Nissan engine. Calne’s Steve Coen is in the same class with a somewhat smaller
motor in his tiny ADR. The 1.3 litre Suzuki Hayabusa engine in the back is turbocharged to give a reputed 350 BHP!
Bristol’s Tony Michael has swapped his Westfield SE for the Nemesis RME02 he shares with Thomas Richardson. Both drivers ran well at the opening meeting, Michael finishing an amazing 4th in the wet
conditions, Richardson retiring whilst in second place. Richardson drives the Westfield this time out!
Monday's action starts at 8.40 am with qualifying, racing getting under way from 12.45 pm.
Admission prices are £15 for Adults, £7.50 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
