Circuit News
Castle Combe's links to 'Senna'
The new ‘Senna’ film released on the 3 June has brought back memories to many local people of the Brazilian legend’s visit to the Castle Combe circuit in 1982.
At the time ‘Senna’, now acknowledged by many as the greatest racing driver of all time, was still known as Ayrton Senna da Silva and was competing in the Pace British Formula Ford 2000 championship, which he went on to win.
Before the race on 10 July 1982, Senna came to the Castle Combe Racing School to gain some tips and ideas about the circuit. Quadruple Castle Combe Formula Ford champion, Bob Higgins, then living in Chippenham was one of the instructors at the time and was asked by Senna to show him around the circuit. Higgins said, "I took him around in a Range Rover to show him the racing line and explain where the bumps were."
There was a further strong connection with the West Country in that the 2 litre ‘Pinto’ engine in Senna’s car was built by Andy Jenkins, working for Nelson Racing engines then based at Calne. Jenkins now works at the circuit as one of the tutors for the Wiltshire College Motorsport department. Andy said” The Rushen Green Racing team which Ayrton drove for had three engines built for its two cars. After trying them all Senna decided which he would use and had 2 of the 3 with the 2nd driver having the same one all season. Even then he was ruthless about winning.”
On race day, Senna qualified his Van Diemen RF82 on pole position, a feat he repeated a total of 13 times that season in the UK.
As expected, Senna went on to win the race, breaking the lap record on every one of the 15 laps, his fastest being 1m 02.6 seconds. Chippenham’s Charles Tilley, the father of the reigning Pre 1990 Castle Combe Formula Ford 1600 champion, Kyle, was in the same race and finished 6th.
http://www.picturehouses.co.uk/cinema/The_Little/film/Senna/
http://www.picturehouses.co.uk/cinema/The_Little/film/Senna/