If the last meeting was anything to go by, the battle for the Startline Formula Ford 1600 championship at the Castle Combe circuit's 'Summer RaceDay' on Saturday August 3rd, could be very hot, both on and off the track.The contest for the championship title developed a nasty edge at the last meeting with allegations of 'dirty driving' and championship leader, StevenJensen from Saltford, threatening to retire.In the spot light was Chippenham's Adam Higgins who took both wins over the weekend, but was accused of dangerous driving by Jensen, who refused to share the 'winner's' car for the lap of honour, such was his anger.Clerk of the Course at Castle Combe, Ken Davies said," It's a pity we had this situation at the last meeting and I will be stressing to all the drivers that a spirit of sportsmanlike behaviour and good driving standards is what we want to see. We looked at the allegations last time and could find no independent evidence to substantiate them."Jensen, who has a one point lead in the championship over Higgins, is in the 'Kevin Mills Racing' Spectrum whilst the Higgins family runs Adam's Van Diemen JL12.Lurking not very far in the background are several other drivers more than happy to pounce if the opportunity arises. Jensen's team mate, Roger Orgee from Langford, in his Van Diemen RF00 and Ed Moore from Melksham, in the Van Diemen JLO13K, both now have their cars much more to their liking and will need little prompting to strike. Orgee's troubles so far this year have centred around a change in set up to his car, which took him in the wrong direction, now hopefully reversed and putting him back on track. Moore meanwhile had to give up on his previous chassis and is relieved his new car allows him to drive the way he likes.Flax Bourton's Ashley Crossey is another young charger looking to go places in his Spectrum 011C in class A, whilst in total contrast is 77 year oldPete Diccox from Chippenham, who took his first class C victory and his first win of any kind at the last meeting. In his usual modest style theveteran said of his rivals, "I think they gave it to me in sympathy!" Brilliantly, Pete is equal second in the class points in his immaculate Van Diemen RF89.In class B, Nathan Ward has also been fending off a 'Higgins', this time, Adam's brother Richard from Burnham -on -Sea, who has been going well this year in his Van Diemen RF90. Ward has the Swift SC95 and the pride of four fastest laps.Success ballast has done nothing to diminish the speed of Corsham's Will Di Claudio, who has an immaculate record of wins and fastest laps in his class C Peugeot 106 Gti in the Castle Combe Saloon Car championship.With a car which should be out-gunned by the those from the bigger classes, Di Claudio still manages to run at the front with what appears to berelative ease. Earlier in the year, Di Claudio's wins were attributed by his rivals to the wet conditions but at the last meeting in particular the former champion proved he can hold off the likes of Bristol's Mark Wyatt in the class A Astra, whatever the conditions. Incredibly, at the end of therace Di Claudio revealed his little car had a top end misfire! With Wyatt absent this time, it's down to the rest to show their mettle.

Burton's Rob Ballard in the SEAT Leon Cupra is the man who would love to get ahead of Di Claudio at the start, although as far as championship points are concerned, it's only the class positions which count. Ballard's powerful machine is one which can suffer in the heat, but six class wins and fastest laps have placed him not far behind the Peugeot driver. His principal class opposition, the Vauxhall VXR of Seend's Julian Ellson, is not quite a match for Cupra power and the likes of Bath's Dave Scaramanga in the equally powerful VW Bora need a little more experience to get on terms.Adrian Slade from Seend and James Winter from Chippenham, are Di Claudio's principal opposition in class B, both finding the Peugeot 106 Gti to be the most effective weapon in this under 1800cc category.Charles Hyde Andrews Bird from Shepton Mallet has class D pretty much under his control in his Fiesta, though still has to keep racking up the points to be sure. Only a 'glitch' at the opening race at Easter spoils his otherwise perfect record.The Castle Combe Sports and GT championship has few hairier cars than the 6.2 litre TVR Tuscan of Perry Waddams, who is the man to beat in class D and leads the points overall.

Josh Smith from Wrington is the top scorer in class B and the only realistic rival to Waddams. But Smith is missing this round, so is likely to fallfurther behind. Trowbridge's Andrew Shanley, who has missed the last few races, is back for this event and pretty much favourite to wipe up inSmith's class.The full programme of races otherwise fall under the wing of the 'Motor Sport Vision' organisation, which has the exciting new 'Atom Cup' debuting.The Mini Challenge has Stewart Calder from Bristol and Gloucestershire's Kevin Norman whilst amongst the various Monoposto races, Geoff Fern from Warminster is in the JKS TFR 11 Suzuki Hayabusa in Mono Moto.Saturday's action starts with qualifying at 08:30. Racing gets under way from 11.35 and will go on until around 18:00.Admission prices are on 15 for Adults, 10.00 for OAPs, 2-50 for PaddockTransfer, whilst accompanied children under 16 are admitted free.For further information, visit the Castle Combe Circuit online at www.castlecombecircuit.co.uk   built by Racecar

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