THERE was to be no fairytale for Chippenham racing driver Pete Diccox as the 80-year-old finally hung up his helmet following a dramatic and emotional day of racing at the Castle Combe Circuit.

Mr Diccox, who is believed to be one of the oldest racing drivers in the country, was taking part in his final Formula Ford 1600 races at the Wiltshire circuit after 26 years of competing.

Prior to the racing action, the local driver completed a lap of the circuit in his Van Diemen RF89 before posing for photographs alongside his wife of 62 years, Rita.

Mr Diccox’s first race of the day was the final of the Castle Combe Formula Ford 1600 Championship, but it didn’t last long as after starting 21st he was eliminated on the opening lap.

“I was annoyed and frustrated but I suppose it’s one of them things in racing and you just have to accept it,” said Mr Diccox, who founded and works at Calne company Webcox.

“If I did one lap it wouldn’t have been so bad and before I went out people had said don’t get involved with anything and bring it back in one piece.

“I didn’t want to go out and just dawdle round though.”

After the car was fixed, Mr Diccox lined-up on the grid for the Formula Ford Carnival on Saturday, which was celebrating 20 years, but was unable to finish the race after a suspension problem forced him out.

Despite the poor result, the retiring driver was able to share the victory lap with the winners on what was an emotional day for him and his wife.

“The guys fixed the car up with new parts and they didn’t know or see that something must have been broken or cracked,” added Mr Diccox.

“I felt a twitch in the corner and the casting on the suspension had broken so it was a disappointing way to end.

“I think it’s the time to finish now though, I feel that I have had a good innings and had a few shunts.

“It was touching for me and my wife and I thought what a grand job the circuit had done, I felt like a king, it was fantastic really.

“I owe a lot to Castle Combe and Wayne Poole Racing and I’m still going to keep on working and going out to see the cars and bikes at Combe.”