May Bank Holiday Raceday at the Castle Combe Circuit not only has a tasty menu of exciting races for the fans, but also marks an important and possibly unique anniversary in the club’s history.
Amongst the impressive line up of races are three for Porsches and a couple for MG and TR enthusiasts, but many long standing supporters will be turning up to witness the 250th round of the circuit’s Formula Ford 1600 Championship, now backed by Melton Concrete Products.
As far as the circuit is aware, no other regional championship has such a history. “We have been doing our research, but can’t find any championship which has run so many rounds. It’s been a mainstay here since 1969.” commented circuit chairman, Howard Strawford.
Aiming to make the event a memorable one will be a group of drivers who have fought tooth and nail in the first three rounds this year, guaranteeing this will be yet another classic year for the series.
The man with the slight points advantage at this stage is Stroud’s Paul Barnes, one of the ubiquitous Kevin Mills Racing Team drivers. He’s picked up two second places and a win to top the charts, benefiting from Ed Moore’s retirement with a rear brake disc failure at the last round.
Bradford On Avon’s Moore is still undecided about whether he is contesting the entire championship, despite winning the first two rounds in his Van Diemen RF01.
Chepstow’s Nick Jones, another ‘Kevin Mills’ protégé, lies second overall after some consistent runs in his RF01. Chippenham’s Tim Reynolds (another Kevin Mills team member!) has shown great speed, taking two fastest laps in his Swift SC92 plus a second at the last round and must be due a win soon.
Despite running in Class C for Pre ’90 cars, Bratton’s Ben Norton is third overall and clearly a force to be reckoned with in his Swift FB89.
Saltford’s Steven Jensen has been racking up some steady points in his Swift, whilst Castle Combe’s Andy Jones is still taming his new Spirit WL05. Pat Blakeney has plenty of speed, but needs some consistency to go with it.
Nailsworth’s Keith Murray is looking frighteningly dominant in his Audi A4 Quattro, having won all three rounds of the National Mobile Windscreens Saloon Car Championship. The hugely powerful ‘all wheel driver’ will take some catching, even by Bristolian, Mark Wyatt, who couldn’t beat him last time despite breaking the lap record! These two were in a class of their own last time, only the fast starting 4WD Impreza of Weston Super Mare’s Steve Turvey coming close at any stage.
Atworth’s Rob Ballard is right on the pace in his Astra with Ian Craig notching up some useful points.
‘Mad’ Tony Macwhirter from Cardiff, missed out on a class b win at the last meeting with a throttle cable failure but is still looking strong.
Porsche lovers can indulge themselves with the ‘Open’, ‘Club’ and 924 championships, with every kind of rear and front engined example in action.
MG enthusiasts may be feeling a little low after the demise of MG Rover, but the much-loved cars will be soldiering on in competition for a long time yet. The MG Car Club Andrew Actman Eyewear Midget Championship is a classic enthusiasts sports car series and the competition should be closely fought. Somerset’s Adrian Moore has his 1380 Midget.
The Drayton Manor Park MG Metro Cup includes Bristol’s Glen Bowker and Stephen Dowler from Hucclecote.
The Castle Combe Special GT championship receives a welcome boost with the entry of Bath’s Guy Woodward in one of the stunning Jade Trackstars which have proven so effective at the Wiltshire circuit. The local solicitor has a wealth of experience, results and undoubted speed in a variety of sports racing cars so should be worth watching in the Fromevale backed machine.
Dodington’s Derek Gore is pitted against him in the LM 3000, whilst Class c has a pair of intriguing ADR Sports for Corsham’s James Johnson and Nailsea’s Paul Wilson. Castle Combe’s Keith Sprules faces stiff opposition this time in Class D in his Ferrari F355.
Completing the line up is the Moss Europe TR Register/TSCC Championship race with Frome’s Andy Vowell in a Spitfire and Bristolian Steve Small in a TR7 V8.
Monday's action starts at 8.35 am with qualifying, racing getting under way from 1.30 pm.
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
