Castle Combe Historic Formula Ford Report - 6 August 2007
Another cracking HFF Race wowed the spectators at Castle Combe last Saturday...
Castle Combe Historic Formula Ford
It may have only been 10 laps long but the Historic Formula Ford Championship race at Castle Combe on Saturday packed in every bit as much action as usual!
Qualifying saw Nelson Rowe ring the neck of his Crossle 20F to produce a 1.14.07 enough to secure pole position from the Lola T200 of multiple champion Neil Fowler, who was just 3 tenths behind. As usual it would be battle royal at the front! David Wild posted a 1.15.61 in his Lola to line up third, despite being hampered and getting only limited running on the Thursday test day. Westie Mitchells Merlyn Mk20 sporting a battle scarred nose from an ‘off’ on the Thursday test, lined up 4th just 3 tenths behind Wild. It was good to see Paul Sleeman back out and his Jamun T2 was up in 5th ahead of mighty novice Michael Lyons’ Merlyn Mk11A. Neil Bowmans Macon MR7B was 7th and the Westone Bathrooms backed Macon MR8 of Crispin Schlaefli 8th. Sadly, Schlaeflis PA Motorsport team mate, George Fowler was out, his
At the start Rowe got away well to head Fowler into Quarry for the first time, although as they came past the pits on lap one Fowler was glued to the gearbox of Rowes Crossle. Wild had held third and Westie Mitchell had the close attentions of Michael Lyons to deal with, both Merlyns inches apart. Unfortunately for Mitchell, the officials had decided that he had jumped the start and whilst he ultimately held on to fourth place on the track, a ten second penalty dropped him down the order to 10th place. A disappointing end to such a competitive drive. Just behind the battling Mitchell and Lyons, another three car scrap was developing between former Champion Paul Sleemans Jamun, Crispin Schlaeflis Macon, who was up two places from eighth on the grid and HSCC Chairman Chris Sharples’ Palliser WDF1. As they headed down to Quarry on each lap it was anyone’s guess who would emerge ahead.
With two laps to go it was Schlaefli who pulled off a superb move, to take his Westone Bathrooms Macon around the outside of former Champion Sleeman over Avon Rise and to cement the move into Quarry corner. Meanwhile, Fowler had briefly got his Lola ahead of Rowes Crossle and had come past the pits to lead for a lap but next time round it was Rowe again in front. Lap 8 saw Rowe set fastest lap an impressive 1.13.91 to break the tow to Fowler.
Henry Scott had also made up places in his Merlyn Mk11A having passed both Neil Bowman and Greg Thortons Titan. The spectators felt for Michael Wales who had nowhere to go in his Merlyn Mk20 after Gary Critchers immaculate Nike Mk4/6 had spun in front of him at Camp corner. Sadly both cars made contact and were out on the spot, although both drivers did a sterling job getting clear of the circuit.
