Norton breaks win record at Castle Combe

The first of the day’s two Formula Ford 1600 races was the final round of the Castle Combe Championship, with reigning champion Roger Orgee and Michael Moyers going head-to-head for the title.

There was drama the moment the lights went out as 80-year-old Pete Diccox – who was making his final appearance at Castle Combe after a 26 year career – collided with Richard Mayall bringing out the red flag.

At the restart there was even more drama as rivals Orgee and Moyers collided with both retiring, giving the title to Orgee.

By the end of the opening lap it was Melksham’s Ed Moore from eighth on the grid who was leading ahead of Norton and Chippenham’s Luke Cooper.

As Moore began to drop down the field and eventually into retirement, Norton and Cooper became locked in a titanic battle swapping positions throughout the race.

After 15 laps Norton took the win, his second of the season and enough to claim second overall in the championship, ahead of Cooper and Josh Fisher in third-place.

In the 20th anniversary of the Formula Ford Carnival, Norton started on pole and led from Moyers in his repaired car and the chasing field including Nathan Ward, Cooper, Fisher, Rob Hall and Orgee.

With the front duo pulling a gap the rest of the field Moyers tried a move on the inside of Norton into Camp corner, with the former spinning in avoidance and into retirement.

With Moyers out Norton was free to coast home for his fourth win in the carnival, a new record after surpassing Robin Parsons.

“It’s amazing, I can remember coming here for the first time and I can remember seeing Robin Parsons and being in awe of him,” said Norton.

“It’s a real achievement and it’s a fine way to end the year.”

Ward finished second with Fisher third and Cooper fourth, but there was to be no fairy tale finish for Diccox who after his car was fixed from his earlier crash retired with six laps to go after a suspension problem.