SIMON Norris is ready to win on the Castle Combe circuit where he almost lost his life last year.

The 30-year-old, of Hornchurch Road in Melksham, survived an extraordinary smash in October but holds no fear about racing on the circuit again.

His Mitsubishi Evo 6 catapulted into the air after he clipped backmarker Christina Lewis on the straight in the Castle Combe Saloon Car Championship.

His GPS system measured the car travelling through the air at 83 miles per hour, before barrel rolling into the safety fence and the start finish, then landing on its roof.

But, somehow, the former Corsham School pupil walked away from the wreckage without a scratch.

Now, with a new 650 horse power Evo9 RS, Norris wants to take the Saloon Car title.

"I am aiming to win this season," he said.

"I only had two races last season and did well in both, before the crash in the second, and I believe the new car is good enough to win."

But, despite his lofty ambitions, Norris says he will be more careful when negotiating backmarkers this season.

"I'm going to be a bit more cautious when going past them," he said.

"I never had any disregard for them, I just wanted to get past. Now I won't mind if I lose a few car lengths.

"I'm just more patient. Before, if someone went past and if there was an opportunity for me to follow I would do the same."

With his old car now stripped, salvaged and scrapped, a new calm has dawned on Norris.

He has installed extra in-car safety features, such as the £1,000 HANS device to protect his head and neck.

"It was my first major accident in nine years, which is pretty good going," he said.

"Occasionally it crosses my mind, but it is something which just happened."

2:53pm Thursday 28th February 2008

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