Fisher men fight for Formula Ford honours at Combe
1:31pm Friday 16th May 2008
Motorsport: Brothers Josh and Felix Fisher continue their family rivalry as they battle for honours in the Melton Concrete Products Formula Ford 1600 championship at the Castle Combe Circuits Caterham Carnival Raceday on Monday May 26.
At the last round on May Day, the Bridgwater based siblings not only took it in turns to lead the race, but both won their classes, Josh, the outright winner in his Mygale and Felix finishing third and taking Class B in his Swift.
The intensity of battle, in this the most competitive championship of its kind, is surely at the highest level ever seen, with talents such as Bradford On Avons Ed Moore, the reigning champion, having to fight like never before.
And there are other hugely capable drivers ready to pounce, few more able than Brattons Ben Norton who took second overall at the last race despite a spectacular oil leak. The Castle Combe based Swift Cooper team also have the talents of young Robert Hall, who put his Class B Swift SC92 on outright pole last time.
Saltfords Steven Jensen, the reigning Class B champion, hopes to make his 2008 debut in an exciting new car, whilst Wotton under Edges Nelson Rowe makes his first appearance in the new Van Diemen DP08.
Chippenhams Adam Higgins has his Van Diemen RF01 and Castle Combes Andrew Jones his Ray GRS07.
Wayne Poole Racing, the team behind the Fisher brothers, could well be the people to beat in Class C too this year, having propelled Swindons Oliver Bull to victory at the last meeting.
The National Mobile Windscreens Saloon Car Championship is a hotbed of Evo action, another incident at the last round eliminating front runners Gary Prebble from Southampton and Melkshams Simon Norris. Cheltenhams Laurence Kilby also succumbed early in the race after taking pole in his Evo 8. Brian Cox was the beneficiary, taking his first win in his Evo 5. Bristols Paul Ashton is the lone Subaru Impreza fighting the Mitsubishi hordes.
Class B should be in the hands of Bristols Mark Wyatt in the Astra chased by fellow Bristolian, Tim Maddocks, in the Honda Civic Type R and Bridgwaters Tony Dolley in the 206.
Reigning champion, Tony Hutchings from Calne, continues to develop his unique Audi TT whilst Bath drivers, Ingram Legge and Angus Cunningham, have their pair of similarly unusual Nissan 200 SXs. Grantley Woodhatch from Midsomer Norton will be looking for a reliable run this time from his so far recalcitrant VW Vento 3 litre.
Chippenhams William Di Claudio is becoming a real star in his Class D 106, finishing a superb second overall on May Day in the combined Class C and D race. Yatton Keynells Jason Cooper is another impressive talent in his debut year, pedalling his Fiesta indecently quickly.
Westburys Shane Marshall has won both savesometax.co.uk Castle Combe Special GT Championship races so far this year in his Jade, but has Baths Guy Woodward to contend with this time, also Jade mounted.
Bristols Tony Michael is back with the Nemesis RME02 in Class B, whilst Josh Fisher adds variety to his day by also squeezing in an appearance in the Mantis Supersport 2 litre.
Trowbridges Mark Funnell is the dominant force in Class C in his road going Lotus Exige with Keith Sprules from Castle Combe battling the Caterhams in Class D with his Ferrari 360 Challenge.
Speaking of Caterhams, much of the days action is taken up by races for the Roadsport and Superlight Challenges. Local entries consist of Gloucesters Mark Drain and Swindons Luke Embling in the Roadsport As. Expect lap after lap of nose to tail slip streaming and dicing in these evenly matched road missiles in their five races throughout the day.
Adding a touch more variety is a 20 minute race for the Alfashop Alfa Romeo Championship. The rear wheel drive 75s and GTVs shape up against the front wheel drive 33s, 145s and 156s.
Monday's action starts at 8.35 am with qualifying, racing getting under way from 11.30am.
Admission prices are £15 for Adults, £7.50 for OAPs, £2.50 for Paddock Transfer, whilst accompanied children under 16 are admitted free.
For further information, visit the Castle Combe Circuit website on www.castlecombecircuit.co.uk