A SUMMER ‘FIESTA’ AT CASTLE COMBE

Nathan Edwards claimed his first senior race win in the Quaife Fiestas – Photo: James Roberts

Last weekend saw the BRSCC South Western Centre run their only two day meeting of the season at Castle Combe, but what an exciting and challenging 19 race programme it was.

With four races collectively, both of the Club’s Fiesta championships were well to the fore! In the Fiesta Juniors, both race wins were taken by Harry Gooding with Callum Hawkins–Row and Bradley Burns in two fine second places and the consistent Nicholas Reeve bagging two third’s. In the highly competitive senior division, Nathan Edwards won a two part first race with James “JJ” Ross having the pace over Samuel Priest who claimed two strong second places for his weekends work.

Popular visitors to Combe over many years, the Club’s Alfa Romeo Championship delivered race wins for Andy Robinson and Bryan Shrubb with Keith Waite and Tom Hill rounding out the top three on both occasions. At the other end of the scale, the “new to Combe” BMW Race Days Compact Cup brought big grids, close racing and excitement for the good Sunday crowds. Scotland’s Steven Dailly brought home the win in Race 1, with non- finisher Joe Wiggin recovering well to take Race 2 from James Gornall who was also the second car home on both occasions. With the 330 Cup waiting in the wings, these BMWs are definitely going to be a crowd pleaser at Combe for many years to come.

Sports 2000 also made a welcome return to Wiltshire with Michael Gibbins taking a good win in the Duratec class, and Mark Powell picking up honours in the Pinto Class. It was also wonderful to hear again the evocative tones of the recently retired Brian Jones commentating on Sports 2000; I know fellow commentator Chris Dawes was thrilled to share the commentary box with Brian on his return to Combe. Hope you can make it out of retirement for us again in 2017, Brian!

Richard Styrin took two overall wins in his Boxster for the Toyo Tires Porsche races to extend his points lead in the bid for another title, while the returning Pip Hammond also did the double in the evergreen 924 class.

On Saturday we were entertained by two enormous grids of HRDC competitors competing for honours in Touring Greats, TC63, Academy and A-Series Challenge. Race 1 saw Michael Squire in his 1964 Mustang just hold off the hard charging Mike and Andy Jordan in the 1958 family Austin A40, while the second saw TVR Griffith mounted John Spiers hold off local hero Ted Williams in his wonderful AC Cobra.

Talking of local heroes, three of Castle Combe’s championships were well subscribed. Michael Moyers’ narrow victory over Roger Orgee by half a nosecone was almost equalled by Simon Norris in his Mitsubishi Colt when he beat both Dave Scaramanga and Gary Prebble in the local saloon encounter. Barry Squibb had things slightly easier in the GTs.

Rounding off a wonderful two days racing, The Welsh Saloon and Sports Car Championship brought over 30 cars across the Severn Bridge to do battle with the locals in what were probably the fastest overall races of the weekend. The locals did run out winners with David Krayem’s Ginetta G50 taking the spoils on both occasions from ex-Combe FF1600 champion Adam Higgins in the family’s newly acquired Ginetta G50, which was rebuilt over Saturday night after dad Bob’s little grassy excursion at Tower in the Combe GT race! It was also great to see circuit marshals Susanne Jones and Andrew Williams out in the Welsh races, Andrew actually swapping course car for race car on Sunday.

Finally I must thank all the marshals who made this two day event possible, as well circuit foreman Les Rawlings and his team for all their help both on and off the track! In addition, thanks go to Castle Combe Circuit & Racing Club, the members of the South West Centre and all of our friends from HQ and other centres, especially Rita and Lucy Ashman who helped us sign on over 400 drivers during the weekend.

That’s all from the South West Centre for 2016, please come and join us again in 2017!

The full breakdown of results from the weekend are available via TSL Timing HERE.

Ian Danaher