Cooper & Nippers keen to continue rivalry in CCRC FF1600s
CCRC Formula Ford 1600 points leader Luke Cooper says he looks forward to more battles with Tom Nippers after their two recent nail-biting duels at Castle Combe.
Nippers took both wins, but only after fierce pressure from the triple Combe Champion in race one. The pair were almost inseparable in qualifying too – Cooper on pole by 0.073s for the opener, Nippers ahead by just 0.015s for race two.
Nippers won race one by just half a second after his Wedge Group Van Diemen and Cooper’s Swift Cooper-run Swift swapped positions three times. Victory in race two – in which Cooper suffered with a lack of power – gave Nippers the perfect double on his return after a short lay‑off.
The next opportunity for them to go head-to-head is on 8-9 August when the Historic Sports Car Club’s championships visit for the weekend.
Cooper, 32 years old and local to Combe, said: “I’ve been on track before with Tom before and had some quite close races with him but this time was much closer and more exciting.
“I’d relish him coming back and doing more at Combe this year. He got the upper hand this time – maybe it’ll be my turn next time. Either way we know we will push each other and put on a good couple of races for the crowds.”
Nippers is equally enthusiastic about facing off against Cooper in future FF1600 rounds.
The 23-year-old Newport racer enthused: “I’m planning to be out again in early August and, provided there are no other clashes, at all the Combe rounds too.
“I rate Luke extremely highly – I know if I can beat him I know I can beat anyone in a FFord. I told him after race one I learnt a lot by the way he was defending – he’s a triple Combe champion so to beat him means a lot and is a good benchmark to gauge yourself before the big end of year events like Walter Hayes or the Formula Ford Festival.”
Whitsun Warriors Raceday 25th May CCC