As the summer of ‘big events’, festivals, holidays and sporting occasions gets into full swing, the Castle Combe circuit adds a refreshing West Country motorsport flavour to the mixThe quantity of races at Castle Combe’s meetings is never in doubt and this weekend is far from being an exception, with all the popular ‘home’ championships out in force, enhanced by a varied delight of visiting races for historic and modern machinery.In particular, a pair of races from the prestigious ‘Historic Racing Drivers Club’ will appeal to lovers of traditional motor sport. The ‘Touring Greats’ race brings back memories of some of the wonderful saloon car racing of the 1950s and early 1960’s. Whilst designed to attract the more unusual cars of that era, the Austin A40 is proving to be the weapon of choice, with drivers such as Mike Jordan showing prowess in both car preparation and control. Morris Minor, Standard Vanguard and Riley 1.5 are amongst the other entertaining entries.The combined HRDC ‘Allstars’, ‘A-Series Challenge’ and ‘A35 Academy’ race will find the well-developed Mini Cooper S, such as that of Steve Jones from Wells, very hard to beat. But expect a gang of the equally matched ‘Austin A35 Academy’ cars to provide much fun and cuteness. A few special bodied cars will also be in evidence, such as the Lenham GT of circuit PR man John Moon from Bath.Now almost historic, but ever evolving into an optimum state of fitness, is the circuit’s Formula Ford 1600 championship. As it enters its ‘second half’ for 2016, Langford’s Roger Orgee manages to maintain a healthy lead despite the pressure from a field so blessed with quality drivers, it’s easier to list those who are unlikely to win!From Orgee’s team alone, the likes of Michael Moyers from Wellingborough and Coventry’s Nathan Ward, both race winners, is challenge enough. But with the resurgence of Bratton’s Ben Norton, in the Wiltshire College Spectrum, Bridgwater brothers Josh and Felix Fisher impossible to discount and Yatton Keynell’s Luke Cooper in the ever improving Swift, predicting a winner is as tricky as with a referendum result!Nevertheless, within the sub classes things are a little more clear cut with Bradford on Avon’s David Vivian almost untouchable in ‘B’ and Plymouth’s David Cobbold similarly dominant in class C.A man with a referendum style dilemma in the Castle Combe ‘Saloon Car Championship’ is Corsham’s Will Di Claudio. While his new class C Peugeot 106 was being prepared, the triple champion has been borrowing a class D Citroen Saxo with which he has managed to get himself to the top of the overall points chart!If Di Claudio ‘Dexits’ to the new car, which is now ready, he will forfeit his points and have to start again with no possible chance of catching up. So remaining with the Saxo seems to be the way forward, despite a new and formidable opponent in the form of Reading’s Russell Humphries in his Vauxhall Corsa.Ready to snatch the overall lead if Di Claudio exits is Calne’s Simon Norris. His unlikely 1500cc turbocharged Mitsubishi Colt is at the top of class B and just 3 points adrift of Di Claudio. Mark Wyatt from Bristol and his Astra have been almost permanent fixtures prior to the Japanese car’s arrival, but with no turbo boost to adjust, normally aspirated machines’ days at the front look numbered.This is evidenced most strongly in class A, where no turbo equals no mojo. After the infamous three car accident deleted the class’s main protagonists at the opening round, Bath’s Dave Scaramanga was shown an open door to the class A points lead. This time though, Southampton’s Gary Prebble will be back behind the wheel of the rebuilt SEAT Leon Turbo and likely to be at the sharp end once again. Vauxhall Astra Turbo drivers, Keynsham’s John Barnard and Seend’s Julian Ellison, occupy 2nd and 3rd places in the ‘A’ points.
As for class C, with Di Claudio looking unlikely to return, the way is clear for Bristol’s Hadyn King to clean up in his first season in his 106 Gti.Almost un-noticed, Chris Vinall from Axminster has propelled his SEAT Leon Supercopa to the head of the circuit’s GT championship. But each of the respective class points leaders is within range, so things are far from settled. Southampton’s Michael Harris has made class F his own in his rapid 205 GTi, whilst right at the front. Torquay’s Barry Squibb will show the drag race type capabilities of his ferociously powerful Mitsubishi Evo.Reigning champion, Portishead’s Oliver Bull, keeps the Vauxhall powered Tigra silhouette at the head of class C, whilst Blagdon’s Doug Watson shows off his unique V10 BMW M6 Coupe.The remainder of the two day programme consists of much contrast, such as the nimble front wheel drive machines in the BRSCC Fiesta championships and the rear engined power of the Toyo Tires Porsches.The Alfa Romeo championship has contrast of its own, as does the visiting Welsh Sports and Saloon Car championship, having its annual visit across the water. This a championship where almost anything goes, so expect Sierra Cosworths, Davrian, Minis and even a Ka!. Some of Castle Combe’s regulars will be tempted to pit their skills to spice things up even more.For lovers of proper ‘Sports Racing’ cars there is plenty to appreciate in Sunday’s two races for ‘Sports 2000’ cars, whilst the ‘BMW Compact Cup’ is designed for low cost thrills, with a rear wheel drive bonus.Saturday starts with ‘free practice’ at 08:30, with the first race 12:35. Sunday's action starts at 08.30 with qualifying, racing getting under way from 09:50.A 2-day ticket for adults is just £20, with seniors at £15, Accompanied under 17s are admitted free on both days
