TOP WEST COUNTRY TALENT IN FORMULA FORD FIGHT
Two of the West Country’s most talented single seater drivers square up for a fascinating encounter at the Castle Combe Circuit’s British Raceday on Saturday June 23.
The battle takes place in what will be the fourth round of the Melton Concrete Products Formula Ford 1600 championship, which for the last few seasons has been under the control of local driver, Ed Moore, from Bradford on Avon.
During this time, another West Country driver, Josh Fisher from Bridgwater, has been working to establish a professional career in the sport, but like many others has found talent is not enough to succeed at the highest level.
Despite progressing to the British Formula 3 Championship after finishing third in the Formula BMW championship in 2004 and winning more races than any other driver, the 22 year old is currently without a regular drive. Having won his very first Formula Ford race at Castle Combe in 2003 when just 17 years old, many of those involved with the championship were keen to see Fisher take on Moore.
The opportunity arose for the first time at the last meeting, with the Dursley based Wayne Poole Racing Team offering Fisher a complimentary drive in its Mygale SJ01. Fisher fulfilled his part of the bargain, putting the car on the front row alongside pole sitter Moore and leading the wet race until three laps from the end when he retired with a broken ignition switch.
Moore had similar misfortune, his Van Diemen RF00 damaged after an incident with a back marker.
After the gutting disappointment of the last round, Wayne Poole has offered Fisher another chance to shine, whilst the circuit’s tifosi enjoys the bonus of what should be a tremendous battle between two drivers totally committed to winning.
Not that the race is solely about these two. Other young new local talent revealed its potential at the last meeting when the wet conditions showed how those with skill can come to the fore when the conditions are less than perfect
One of the best examples was Bathampton’s Matt McKillop, who took his first victory in a short career in his Swift SC95 and will be one of the few hoping to get wet on the day. Joining him though will be Chippenham’s Adam Higgins who took Class C victory in only his third Formula Ford race in his Van Diemen RF89 and was also awarded the ‘Driver of the Day’ accolade.
The depth of local talent continues with the likes of championship leader Steven Jensen from Saltford in his Swift SC92, Castle Combe’s Andy Jones in his Ray GRS07, Chepstow’s Nick Jones in his Van Diemen RF00 and Bratton’s Ben Norton in the Spectrum run by Wiltshire College.
If that were not enough, the circuit’s other championships for Saloons and Special GT’s have their own thrilling stories and the British Racing theme encompasses the super close action from the ever popular Minis and Caterhams.
Bath’s Guy Woodward is due a trouble free outing in the 3.5 litre Jade Trackstar in the savesometax.co.uk Castle Combe Special GT Championship. His latest misfortune was a misfire which helped in him losing the lead, but the 65 year old still leads Class A.
Westbury’s Shane Marshall is a real star of the season in his Mallock P21 not only dominating the Class B but always a strong outright contender too.
Bristol’s Thomas Richardson in the Nemesis RME 02 is no slouch either, so expect a good tussle between these two. Richardson’s team mate, Tony Michael, is similarly competitive in the Class C Westfield SE, but has the returning Mark Funnell from Trowbridge to contend with in his amazing road going Lotus Exige.
The National Mobile Windscreens Saloon Car Championship race is turning into a ‘battle of the Evos’, the participants being Mark Harrison from Kingston Bagpuize, Russ Humphrey, Barry Squibb and Atworth’s Robert Ballard.
Nailsworth’s Keith Murray is able to put his Audi A4 Quattro in amongst them when all is going well, whilst Bristol’s Mark Wyatt can match their times in the 2.0 litre Astra, but has no answer for their superior traction at the start.
Class C should be between Weston Super Mare’s Alex Ferguson in the 205 GTi and Calne’s Tony Hutchings in the MG ZR, with Swindon’s John Avery not far away in his Honda Integra Type R.
Class D should see the usual tight battle between Bath’s Oliver Lewis and Chippenham’s William Di Claudio in the Peugeot 106’s.
The Motorsport News Caterham Roadsport Challenge race has Swindon’s Luke Embling and the Mini Se7en Challenge, Darren Thomas.
Saturday's action starts at 8.35 am with qualifying, racing getting under way from 12.30 pm.
Admission prices are £12 for Adults, £6.00 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
