Following hot on the heels of our Oulton Park races came the traditional Bank holiday Monday meeting at Castle Combe in Wiltshire. This circuit is possibly second only to Goodwood as a venue to watch motor racing in the UK. The large crowd are close to the action and it is easy to feel really involved with the racers. There is also a sense of value at the circuit. An ice cream that cost me £4.50 at Silverstone earlier this year cost £2.00 at Castle Combe; no wonder the spectator bankings are usually full.  It is also popular with the drivers, despite the infamous bumps and lousy chicanes.

Twenty six of our classic racers qualified, which made a great sight in the collection area. Top of the time sheets was Gary Culver (328) with a simply stunning 1.18.197, 1.5 seconds quicker than he has ever been in the past. Circuits are almost living things of course, track conditions, temperature, humidity, wind speed etc. all have an effect of lap times. In effect tracks have quick days and slow days. The evidence suggests that this was one such quick day.

Next up, following on from his terrific form at Oulton Park, was Ben Cartwright (328) with an also stunning 1.19.222. This is 2.7 seconds quicker than he was last year, and 4.4 seconds quicker than in 2008. We have to remember that this is a Group 3 standard car, that was driven to and from the circuit! The commitment and skill shown by both drivers was there for everyone to see. Watching Gary in particular on the entry and through Camp Corner was spectacular. It amazes me that he has never been poached by a big GT team, as he could certainly hold his own at a higher level.

Times were generally excellent on the day. The first seven cars were in the 1.20s or better. Most notable of these I thought was Chris Butler (328), who had never even seen the place before qualifying.

The race was delayed due to barrier repairs and the duration was cut from the scheduled 15  laps to 12 laps.  The only non-starter was David Hathaway, whose newly bought from eBay 308 GT4 managed just a few laps in qualifying before crying enough.

At lights out the best starter (as usual) was Chris Butler, but when everything settled down it was Ben C who just lead from Gary. Next up was an excellent Nigel Jenkins, giving his Gp 4  328 an airing. David Tomlin followed, from Nick Taylor’s Gp 4 Mondial T, Chris Butler, and David Goodwin-Hughes driving his Dad Jon’s  Mondial with great verve. Jim Cartwright retired on the first lap, his Oulton Park electrical malady returning, despite it being fine at Donington in midweek testing.

pics in race order, start here top left

The front two pulled away gradually, but it was all much closer than at Oulton. Behind were some super battles.  At half distance Ben lead Gary by just .027 seconds! Nigel Jenkins was a solid third, but Tomlin, Taylor and Butler (4th, 5th ,6th  ) could be covered by a decent sized blanket. Also really close for 7th to 10th were the group of William Jenkins, David Goodwin-Hughes, Peter Fisk and returnee Club Sec. Peter Everingham. There were other battles royal too.

Gary finally got past Ben on lap 8 on the entry to the first chicane. It was a pass that Ben might have been able to defend, but maybe it would have just happened a little later anyway. Ben hung on terrifically well though, and nearly had a chance to get back the lead whilst lapping slower cars. Pretty soon we will be able to write the headline as “Ben and Gary’s”, but for now it is still “Gary and Ben, the fastest men”. Congratulations once again to without doubt our best ever Club racer, Gary Culver.

A clear third was Nigel Jenkins. We lost Nick Taylor on lap 9, when he just pushed a little too hard on the exit of the second chicane and spun. Fourth was a thrilled Chris Butler who just got the better of Dave Tomlin. There were some truly close finishes through the field. In the paddock after the race there were wide eyes and wide smiles everywhere. Drivers exchanged tales of derring-do do etc, tales which will likely expand over the winter.

One last poser for you, one that has puzzled the racers for some time. Our classic 328s race on (1B) road tyres.  Our 355 Challenge cars in PFO normally race on slicks, but in AMOC Inter-Marque they also have to run on road tyres. The lap times of these two very different cars so equipped can be closer than expected. At Castle Combe Gary’s fastest lap of the day was a 1.18.1 (Gp 4 328 GTB), and Ben C’s was 1.19.0 (Gp 3 328 GTB). Graham Reeder’s fastest lap in this 355 Challenge car during the Inter-Marque race, on road tyres, was 1.18.5. How odd is that?

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