After a lap record smashing opening meeting at Easter and some scintillating performances from the leading protagonists, all eyes will be on the Melton Concrete Products Formula Ford 1600 race at the Castle Combe Circuit’s Husqvarna Springtime Raceday on Monday May 5.
Whilst the competition was even more intense due to the addition of the ‘Golden Helmet’ races, Easter Monday’s Formula Ford action was of the highest quality.
Outstanding amongst a pack of drivers who all seemed to have ‘upped their games’ for the new season, were Bradford On Avon’s Ed Moore and Bridgwater’s Josh Fisher.
Although it was Fisher who beat Moore comprehensively in the circuit’s championship race, Moore showed his class by coming through from the back of the grid to win the prestigious ‘Golden Helmet’. But it was Fisher who smashed the lap record, previously held by Moore, reducing it to a previously unthinkable 1:10:511, an improvement of almost three quarters of a second!
Chasing these two hot shots this time are a number of local drivers, itching to get their share of the points. Possibly the most impressive is Chippenham’s Adam Higgins in only his second year of competition and his first in a Class A car. Taking third on his debut last time, son of quadruple champion, Bob, will be looking to put his Van Diemen RF01 on the top step this time.
Wotton Under Edge’s Nelson Rowe makes his Class A debut in a Van Diemen DP08 and could well trounce them all, given his ability to run at the front in his ancient Crossle. Castle Combe’s Andrew Jones is another fast Class A man in his Ray GRS07 as is Bratton’s Ben Norton in the Spectrum 011.
Castle Combe based, Swift Cooper, will be looking to Robert Hall to give the Swift SC92 a Class B win, but last time he lost out to Felix Fisher, brother of Josh, showing super-fast pace in his Swift SC92.
The National Mobile Windscreens Saloon Car Championship has enough entries to run as two races, the Class A four wheel drive cars back with the 2WD Class Bs after mixing it with the Special GTs last time.
Expect another Evo walkover at the front, Southampton’s Gary Prebble warding off the likes of Melksham’s Simon Norris in these formidable Mitsubishis.
Other local Class A entries are Cheltenham’s Laurence Kilby in an Evo 8 and Bristol’s Paul Ashton in a Subaru Impreza.
Class B saw Mark Wyatt take a comfortable win last time in his Astra from fellow Bristolian, Tim Maddocks, in his impressive Honda Civic Type R.
Reigning double champion, Tony Hutchings from Calne, endured a few teething troubles with his new Audi TT last time and should be pitted against the similarly powered SEAT Ibiza Cupra R of Trowbridge’s Tim Hanlonk, who is hoping to return to the championship on Monday.
Bath drivers, Ingram Legge and Angus Cunningham, have their Nissan 200 SXs,
Bristol’s David Kift is the new man to beat in Class C after an impressive debut win last time in his 205 GTi.
Chippenham’s William Di Claudio took Class D victory at the opening round in his 106 but will need to watch out for Yatton Keynell’s Jason Cooper who finished second on his debut in his relatively standard Fiesta. Bath’s Ollie Lewis has his Peugeot 106, whilst Chippenham’s Geraldine Duff debuts her Rover 25.
Westbury’s Shane Marshall took a clear win in the savesometax.co.uk Castle Combe Special GT Championship race at Easter, but has Bath’s Guy Woodward, also in a Jade, to contend with this time.
Kemble’s Ed Lovett clinched Class B and second overall in his unique Norma M20, with Bristol’s Tony Michael not far behind in the Nemesis RME02 in Class B. Josh Fisher was faster than both those ahead of him, despite his three FF1600 races that day, so should be stunning in the Mantis Supersport 2 litre run by John Pugsley.
Cirencester’s Rob Clarke could also be in contention in the Radical Clubsport.
Easter’s Class C and D race saw Trowbridge’s Mark Funnell take a phenomenal win from the back of the grid in his Lotus Exige. At this meeting he is also out in the LMA Euro Saloon and Sports Car race, competing against some formidable Super Tourer opposition, including the Nissan Primera of Keith Butcher.
Keith Sprules from Castle Combe is the eye catching entry in Class D with his Ferrari 360 Challenge.
Cirencester drivers, Alex Heynes and Andrew Telling are the other locals in the LMA race in their BMW M3 and Clio Cup car respectively. Joss Ronchetti could be the man to beat though in his flying Talbot Sunbeam Lotus after finishing 3rd in the Special GT race for Class C & D in March.
Much of the day’s action will be centred around the three races for various iterations of the Caterham Graduate championships, offering new drivers the opportunity to progress as their experience increases. Bristol sends Bill Hombersley in the Super Graduates and Pete Cannard in the Classics.
Completing the day’s entertainment is the Castle Combe debut of the Max5 Racing championship for Mazda MX5s and including Tom Roche of Cardiff, plus the Lenham Cars MG Midget Challenge featuring virtually road going cars to fully modified fire breathers.
Monday's action starts at 8.40am with qualifying, racing getting under way from 12.45pm.
Admission prices are £15 for Adults, £7.50 for OAPs, £2.50 for Paddock Transfer, whilst accompanied children under 16 are admitted free.
For further information, visit the Castle Combe Circuit website on www.castlecombecircuit.co.uk built by Racecar
