Castle Combe on August bank holiday Monday always means a large crowd. With warm sunshine it was an added bonus. A slightly smaller than expected grid of just 9 intermarque silhouettes had their own races, as the timetable just about had enough time to do this.
Qualifying saw a close tussle between local track expert Reuben Taylor and twice winner at Lydden Ray Harris. The two Ginettas traded fastest lap, until Ray emerged in front by just a quarter of a second. Colin Smith made it a trio of Ginettas in the first three grid slots, whilst Richard Smith was fourth fastest in his Mercedes SLK. However, Richard would be starting from 8th as he was running an experimental transmission. Phil Spinks was therefore promoted to 4th with Keith White next up. Mick Robertson was fairly happy with 6th. Steve Phillips found himself uplifted to 7th as Nick Bass (like Richard Smith) was demoted to the rear as he is trialling an experimental gearbox.
The rolling start saw Taylor grab the initiative, as they roared towards Avon Rise. Spinks was briefly in third, until Colin Smith demoted him. Already up to fifth was Richard Smith. Lap two and the first retirement was Nick Bass, when his propshaft broke. The battle at the front raged on, with barely a car length between Taylor and Harris. Colin Smith soon had Richard Smith closing in, whilst White got past Spinks on lap 6. At the same time Robertson trundled into the pits, with a sick sounding engine. As the laps ran down Harris tried every way to find a way past, but in the end had to settle for second. Colin Smith did enough to hold off Richard Smith, whilst White did likewise over Spinks. A late retiree was Phillips, when his gearbox jammed in third.
Race two saw White on pole position with Colin Smith alongside. Row two contained Harris and Taylor, with Spinks and Richard Smith completing the six starters. This time Harris made a text book start, darting around the slightly slow starting White to take the lead. Taylor was on Ray’s bumper in second, with Richard Smith already up to third from Colin Smith. Lap two and Colin Smith re-took third place, only to have a grassy moment a lap later which let Richard back through. On lap ten we witnessed the move of the race, as somehow Taylor went around Harris going through the Esses. At the same time Spinks overtook White for fifth position. Fortunately all six cars made it to the finish, as Taylor held on to take his second win of the day. Harris set a new lap record in one minute 10.922 seconds. Richard Smith was comfortable in third, fighting off Colin Smith’s attention. Spinks pulled away from a slowing White, as all the cars went the full distance.
Next up is Silverstone, as all three categories have a run out on the National circuit on September 28th.