The Castle Combe Circuit’s 2005 season kicks off on Easter Monday March 28 with a whole host of races for classic saloons and sports cars from the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s.
The packed eight race programme features two hour-long endurance challenges for Coys Top Hat Octane European Historic Touring Cars and Coys Cloth Cap pre-’66 European Historic Sportscars.
In the latter, Bristolian Julian Bronson, one of the country’s most accomplished pilots of historic and classic race cars, will be back behind the wheel of the world’s most famous Austin Healey 3000, ‘DD 300’.
The car has been owned and driven to countless successes over the last 4 decades by fellow Bristolian and owner, John Chatham, now unable to race due to ill health. Bronson, a former Autograss racer, will again share the famous car with Chris Clarkson. Last year the duo took ‘DD’ from the back of the grid to a fine 4th place and will be keen to improve on that this year.
Their competition includes another well known Bristolian racer, Ted Williams, in a Corvette Stingray, as well as a trio of AC Cobras, E-Types, TVRs, and much more.
Marlborough’s Hugo Shipley is no stranger to the Wiltshire circuit with his fast starting Lotus Mk vi in class c.
The Glen Maskell Trophy for the Historic Touring Car race also features pit stops and driver changes during its 60 minute format.
The big American ‘muscle cars’ should be the ones to beat if the weather is dry, though last year even Leo Voyazides and Andy Bacon were thrashed by the Mk1 Jag of John Young. This year they are back with a Ford Falcon 289 with Galaxie 500s, Mustangs and even a Studebaker Daytona 500 to contend with.
At the other end of the scale, Graham Churchill and Peter Baldwin are partnered in a Mini Cooper ‘S’ in class D.
In true ‘Austin Powers’ fashion, the Coys ‘Groovy Baby’ Challenge for Soulful ‘70s Saloons is the interesting title for a half hour race featuring Capris, Dolomites, 2002 BMWs, Alfas and even a Firenza.
There’s another 30 minutes of historic action with the Coys ‘Oldies but Goldies’ pre ‘60 European Historic Touring Car and GT challenge.
Weston Super Mare’s Chris Sanders was mighty in his Lotus Cortina at Castle Combe last year, winning his class and 3rd overall in the 60 minute race. He appears this time in a Standard 10. ITV’s Formula 1 pundit, Tony Jardine, is back with his A40 which took second in class last year.
The circuit’s own three championships for saloons, Formula Ford 1600 and Special GTs should not be forgotten either.
Back to defend his Melton Concrete Products Formula Ford 1600 Championship title is Bradford On Avon’s Ed Moore, joined in class A by Pre ’90 champion, Nick Jones from Chepstow, also in a Van Diemen RF01, run as last year by Kevin Mills Racing. Stroud’s Brian Soule is another addition in an RF00.
Class B sees the return of Saltford’s Steven Jensen, now run by Swift Cooper Racing based at Castle Combe. Stroud’s Paul Barnes is another quick returnee in the hands of the Gloucester based Kevin Mills aboard his trusty Swift SC92.
The National Mobile Windscreens Saloon Car Championship looks to be even more diverse than usual with a number of interesting new entries, especially amongst Class A. Reigning ‘Mod Prod’ champion, Nick Williamson, returns with his 205 Gti, whilst making his four wheel debut is former motocross ace, Mark Harrison from Kingston Bagpuize, in his new Honda Civic Type R. Bristolian, Terry Thorne, has a Ford Focus RS, Nailsworth’s Keith Murray an Audi A4 Quattro and Julian Ellison from Devizes brings back his Volvo S40 T4.
Rupert Crook from Wootton Bassett, debuts a new ‘BMW’ style Mini Cooper ‘S’ in class B.
Reigning champion, ‘Mad’ Tony Macwhirter from Cardiff, is back behind the wheel of his Corsa, but now in class B and will no doubt continue with his ‘maximum attack’ style of driving.
The Castle Combe Special Gt championship has its usual varied grid with Derek Gore from Dodington the reigning class A champ’ in his LM 3000 whilst Doynton’s Dave Smith is back with his Mallock MK34.
Monday's action starts at 8.35 am with qualifying, racing getting under way from 12.30pm.
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
