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Castle Combe Celebrates 75 Years of Racing
The 75th anniversary celebrations at Castle Combe commenced on Easter Monday, showcasing exciting performances from the resident racing clubs, which featured four championship double-headers. The day began with a damp morning but soon transformed into a warm, sunny afternoon, setting the perfect stage for exhilarating racing events. Spectators were treated to exciting 500cc Formula 3 races, evoking a sense of nostalgia as they recalled the triumphant seasons of Curly Dryden, Stirling Moss, and Peter Collins in 1950.
Craig Dolby made a notable return to GT racing with the Lamborghini Huracan GT3, a car he previously piloted from 2016 to 2018, now under the stewardship of Nigel Mustill. Dolby demonstrated exceptional skill on wet tires, managing to lap all competitors except for Dylan Popovic, who kept pace with his uniquely colored Ginetta-Chevrolet G50. Meanwhile, Keith Butcher, driving a Huracan Evo, overtook 1989 World Group C2 champion Nick Adams in a Porsche 911 Carrera Cup for third place.
As the race progressed and conditions shifted to slick tires, Dolby pushed the V10 engine of the Lamborghini to new heights, crossing the finish line a full lap ahead of Popovic and Josh Smith, who drove a Caterham-Suzuki. His impressive quickest lap of 1m04.101s (103.89mph) not only secured him victory but also broke the long-standing Lister Storm British GT record set by Mike Jordan in 2002.
In the Hot Hatch category, Jason Stack transitioned from a Renault Clio to a Honda Civic EP3 over the winter season. Despite facing mechanical issues that relegated him to 22nd on the starting grid, he swiftly maneuvered to sixth place by the first lap, eventually seizing the lead from Nathan Nicholls (BMW Mini Cooper S) on the tenth lap and holding on to win the race.
Geoff Ryall in a Peugeot 106 GTI overcame Stack in the second race to claim victory, while another Clio-to-Civic switcher, Corey Webber, achieved the fastest lap of the race. The first race saw top qualifier Crofton Woodhatch’s Mini eliminated due to a crank sensor failure, while Michael Nunn, driving an ex-Jez Williams Citroen Saxo, surged from the back of the pack to lead class C before encountering mechanical troubles.
Competitive Spirit in Formula Ford
Rory Smith, last year’s runner-up in Formula Ford, faced intense competition from Luke Cooper throughout both races. He managed to fend off Cooper’s advances, with Alex Kite shadowing Cooper during the latter stages of the second race. Kite recorded a best lap of 1m10.362s, placing him among the fastest competitors. After a four-year absence, Richard Higgins returned to racing and successfully defended against multiple class B champion Nathan Ward in a thrilling race filled with strategic maneuvers.
The Saloon race faced disruptions, including a restart due to incidents involving turbocharged competitors Adam Prebble and defending champion Harrison Chamberlain. Prebble had a dramatic incident, going airborne after colliding with Boulton’s compromised Golf, which resulted in his retirement. In a subsequent race, Prebble outperformed Chamberlain, who had claimed victory in the earlier contest, while Will Self’s Civic and Bill Brockbank’s SEAT Cupra Leon remained competitive behind them. Class B winners Kieren Simmons and Mark Wyatt, as well as Wayne Rushworth, capitalized on luck with Nathan Sutton’s MG ZR retiring from both races.
The 500 Owners Association’s F3 races were marked by close battles. In the first race, pole sitter Tommy Waterfield faced disaster with “total brake failure,” allowing Alex Wilson to inherit the lead and secure victory. Hamish Cameron-Eveleigh and Simon Dedman followed closely, showcasing their competitive spirit. Waterfield bounced back in the second race, achieving a remarkable fastest lap time of 1m25.316s (78.06mph) and claiming victory after Wilson faced mechanical issues.
In a thrilling conclusion, Dylan Popovic managed to secure the Dave Allan Trophy in a mini-endurance race by showcasing a pace reminiscent of October’s earlier achievements, while the Adams family Porsche and Dan Ludlow’s SEAT Leon trailed behind.
A Nostalgic Return to Racing Roots
The 500cc F3 cars not only demonstrated speed and skill but also provided a nostalgic link to racing history at Castle Combe, reminding participants and spectators alike of the rich legacy within motorsport.
Source
www.autosport.com