Racing Club News



28/09/2006

International Line Up at Castle Combe

The Castle Combe Circuit’s final and arguably most popular race meeting of the season, the Melton Concrete Products Formula Ford 1600 Carnival is set ready to accept its most impressive line up of foreign drivers in its ten year history, on Saturday October 7.

 

As well as a strong contingent of Irish drivers, looking to win the first ever Castle Combe Anglo-Irish team challenge, the Australian Motor Sport Federation and Borland Racing from Melbourne are sending Ozzy hotshots Paul Laskazeski and John Martin on a 10,000 mile journey to the Wiltshire event.

 

Borland Racing already has a link with the West Country as its Spectrum chassis is imported into the UK by Mark Bailey Racing from Bromham, near Chippenham. Whilst Laskazeski contests the Carnival itself, Martin (the Australian Formula Ford Championship leader) will be out in the UK Formula Ford Championship round also on the bill. This also features local interest from Nettleton’s Nick Lay in a Spirit and the Gloucester based Kevin Mills Racing Team and its driver Steve Roberts from Whitchurch.

 

Looking to defend UK pride in the Carnival will be the regular contenders from the circuit’s local championship, principle among whom will undoubtedly be 2006 champion, Matt Rivett from Calne and 2005 champion, Ed Moore from Bradford on Avon. The pair have fought tooth and nail all season, so pride as well as reputation are on the line at this most competitive of events.

 

Also endeavouring to get in on the action will be Bath’s Bob Higgins, the veteran triple champion, still high from his 25th victory at the last meeting and Saltford’s Steven Jensen. Bath’s Chris Acton and Trowbridge’s Stephen Gibbins will be the contenders for Pre ’90 cars, having enjoyed close battles in the circuit’s Class C championship all season.

 

New for the 10th anniversary event is an Anglo-Irish team competition, with five drivers from England, Scotland and Wales scoring points in the final against five drivers from Eire and Northern Ireland.

 

As well as the frenetic Formula Ford action, Castle Combe’s two other home championships have also to be decided.

 

Tied on points at the top of the National Mobile Windscreens Saloon Car Championship are Tony Hutchings from Calne and Nigel Marsh from Bournemouth. On recent form, Hutchings has the advantage, his MG ZR performing superbly, with a clear performance advantage over Marsh’s Corsa. However, should either fail to finish, Bristol’s Mark Wyatt could still take the overall title by winning Class B and claiming fastest lap!

 

Life is just as difficult for reigning savesometax.co.uk Castle Combe Special GT Champion, Louis Davidson. After his first ever race retirement at the last meeting, Davidson has now fallen 6 points behind Castle Combe’s Keith Sprules, the Class D leader.

 

To overcome the deficit, Davidson must not only win Class B, but set fastest lap, with Sprules failing to score. Given the Ferraris reliability, the scenario seems unlikely, but the tension will be there nevertheless. The Class B Nemesis shared between Bristol drivers Thomas Richardson and Tony Michael have been Davidson’s biggest problem this year, the latter finishing 3rd overall at the last round. 

 

Bath’s Guy Woodward has already won Class A aboard various Jades and is joined by fellow Bath citizen, Guy Parr, in a Radical SR8 this time.

 

Making his second Castle Combe appearance this year is British Touring Car Championship and Le Mans Endurance star, Phil Bennett, guesting in Nigel Mustill’s Omega V8 Star in Class C.

 

There’s plenty more Formula Ford action in the races for the Universal Racing Services Classic 1600 and 2000 championships. Mac McKillop from Bristol represents the West Country in the 1600 race in the family’s Royale RP26.

 

Saturday's action starts at 8.40 am with qualifying, racing getting under way from 12.45 pm.

 

Admission prices are ÂŁ12 for adults, ÂŁ6-00 for OAPs, ÂŁ2-50 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

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