Formula Ford Championship
Club racing at its best!! Catering for Kent engined Formula Ford 1600s, this superb championship has been a crowd favourite at the circuit since 1969. The Castle Combe Championship is now the oldest in the country and arguably the most successful, blending intense competition with a friendly atmosphere amongst the competitors. Large grids and close racing ensure the success of the Championship for competitors, sponsors and spectators alike!
Half a century of Castle Combe’s circuit-based Formula Ford 1600 championship was celebrated at the circuit’s during the 2019 season. Formula Ford racing has been an incredibly important part of the Wiltshire track’s story since the late 1960s.
For 50 years, wheel-to-wheel dicing and plenty of thrills and spills have been a key element of Castle Combe race meetings as the circuit’s own championship has consistently delivered hugely competitive racing from strong grids. Formula Ford was first created in 1967, and early races were held at Castle Combe in 1967 and 1968 before the circuit championship was inaugurated for the 1969 season.
In 1969 the Castle Combe Formula Ford Championship was created as the first circuit-based championship in British motor racing, thanks to the foresight of the late Howard Strawford, the man who would go on to save the circuit from closure and develop it into one of Britain’s most popular venues.
“I was the first person in the country to come up with the idea of having a regional championship,’ said Strawford, speaking in 1998. “I applied directly to the RAC for the Formula Ford championship for 1969. By chance someone I knew from South Wales had moved across to this area and was in charge of advertising for Guards cigarettes. So we started off with sponsorship from Guards. I thought we could generate enough interest in the area for it to work.” As usual, Strawford’s vision was proved correct.
Four classes allow any type of Kent- engined Formula Ford 1600 to run competitively against its peers.
Class Type | Class Description | Lap Record | Record Holder | Record Vehicle |
---|---|---|---|---|
Class A - Post 95' | Caters for the latest generation cars built after the 1st January 1996. | 1:09.866 | Michael Moyers | Spectrum 011c |
Class B - 1990-1995 | For cars built between 01/01/1990 and 31/12/1995. | 1:10.337 | Luke Cooper | Swift SC92 |
Class C - 1985 -1989 | For cars built between 01/01/1985 and 31/12/1989. | 1:11.679 | David Cobbold | Van Diemen RF89 14-9-19 |
Class D - Pre 85 | Is for pre-195 classic cars. | 1:14.568 | Bob Higgins | Macon 07 19-9-20 |
The Castle Combe Racing Club Formula Ford 1600 series lays rightful claim to being Britain's oldest regional FF1600 series. First held in 1969, it pre-empted the Champion of Brands series by a year.
Early FF1600 visitors included the Frank Williams Racing Team, later to become Williams Grand Prix Engineering, with American driver John Bisignano, as well as future multiple British Touring Car champion Andy Rouse who cut his teeth in a Dulon LD4C. How many fans in the crowd on September 11 1976 could have realised they were witnessing a future British world champion in FF1600 race winner Nigel Mansell?
The 1978 season was another landmark in Castle Combe history, with the closure of the Llandow circuit in South Wales, the FF1600 and Special Saloon Car Championships became one circuit series. Prior to that, both had been known as BRSCC South West series featuring rounds at both circuits. Indeed, in its early years, the FF1600 championship has also taken in races at Thruxton.
However, in the circuit's 50-year history, few drivers have been as successful as quadruple champions Bob Higgins and Gavin Wills. Both have records that stand close scrutiny, for with a little more luck, either could have added a fifth or perhaps even a sixth title.
Year | Driver | Car |
2020 | Luke Cooper | Swift SC18 |
2019 | Josh Fisher | Van Dieman JL14 |
2018 | Luke Cooper | Swift SC16 |
2017 | Josh Fisher | Van Diemen JL14 |
2016 | Roger Orgee Jnr | Van Diemen RF00 |
2015 | Roger Orgee Jnr | Van Diemen RF00 |
2014 | Adam Higgins | Van Diemen JL12 |
2013 | Adam Higgins | Van Diemen JL12 |
2012 | Ben Norton | Spectrum 10b |
2011 | Rob Hall | Swift SC11 |
2010 | Marcus Allen | Swift SC92F |
2009 | Ben Norton | Spectrum 011 |
2008 | Josh Fisher | Mygale SJ03 |
2007 | Ed Moore | Van Diemen RF00 |
2006 | Matt Rivett | Ray GR97 |
2005 | Tim Reynolds | Swift SC92F |
2004 | Ed Moore | Van Diemen RF01 |
2003 | Chris Axford | Swift SC92F |
2002 | Simon Ashley | Swift SC92F |
2001 | John Hutchinson | Van Diemen RF90 |
2000 | John Hutchinson | Van Diemen RF90 |
1999 | Richard Carter | Van Diemen RF92 |
1998 | Richard Carter | Van Diemen RF92 |
1997 | Kevin Mills | Swift SC92F |
1996 | Kevin Mills | Swift SC92F |
1995 | Kevin Mills | Swift SC92F |
1994 | Gavin Wills | Swift SC92F |
1993 | Gavin Wills | Swift SC92F |
1992 | Bob Higgins | Reynard FF91 |
1991 | Nigel Jenkins | Reynard FF90 |
1990 | Nigel Jenkins | Reynard FF89 |
1989 | Gavin Wills | Van Diemen RF89 |
1988 | Gavin Wills | Van Diemen RF86 |
1987 | David Llewellyn | Van Diemen RF86 |
1986 | Robert Davies | Van Diemen RF84 |
1985 | Howard Lester | Reynard FF83 |
1984 | Martin Cooper | Royale RP33M and Reynard FF83/84 |
1983 | Bob Higgins | Royale RP29A |
1982 | Bob Higgins | Martlet DM4 |
1981 | Bob Higgins | Martlet DM3/DM4 |
1980 | Steve Lincoln | Royale RP26 |
1979 | Geoff Davies | Crossle 32F |
1978 | Mike Wallaker | Jomic Mk2 |
1977 | David Wheeler | Royale RP21A |
1976 | David Toye | Royale RP21 |
1975 | Terry Richards | Merlyn Mk11A |
1974 | Roger Orgee | Dulon MP15 |
1973 | Clive Power | Dulon MP15 |
1972 | Buzz Buzaglo | Elden Mk10 |
1971 | Mike Campbell-Cole | Merlyn Mk11A |
1970 | Peter Lamplough | Palliser WDF2 |
1969 | Bryan Sharp | Merlyn Mk11A |
CCRC FF1600 Championship
CCRC GT Championship
CCRC Hot Hatch Challenge Series
CCRC Saloon Car Championship
General News
Marshalling
Great news that we are returning to racing in some form at the beginning of July. We are looking forward to seeing everyone again – even if just from a distance!
Read the full article… Read All Championship News…Monday 5th April 2021 | Howards Day | |
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Monday 3rd May 2021 | Race Day | |
Monday 31st May 2021 | May Race day | |
Saturday 12th & Sunday 13th June 2021 | June Race weekend | |
Saturday 3rd & Sunday 4th July 2021 | July Race Weekend | |
Monday 30th August 2021 | Combe Countdown | |
Saturday 18th September 2021 | Grand Finals Day | |
Saturday 2nd October 2021 | Autumn Classic |
Saturday 28th November 2020 | Virtual Awards Night | |
---|---|---|
Saturday 3rd & Sunday 4th October 2020 | AUTUMN CLASSIC RACE WEEKEND | |
Saturday 19th & Sunday 20th September 2020 | GRAND FINALS WEEKEND | |
Monday 31st August 2020 | COMBE COUNTDOWN | |
Wednesday 19th August 2020 | Charity Track Day | |
Saturday 1st August 2020 | SUMMER SPECTACULAR | |
Saturday 4th July 2020 | COMBE CHALLENGE | Results |
Monday 25th May 2020 | MAY MADNESS - POSTPONED | |
Monday 13th April 2020 | HOWARD'S DAY - POSTPONED | |
Wednesday 1st April 2020 | CCRC Charity Track Day - CANCELLED | |
Sunday 15th March 2020 | Marshals Training Day (2) | |
Sunday 8th March 2020 | Marshals Training Day (1) | |
Friday 28th February 2020 | Novice Driving Training Course (ARDs) | |
Thursday 13th February 2020 | Novice Driving Training Course (ARD's) | |
Saturday 9th November 2019 | CCRC Awards Night | |
Saturday 5th October 2019 | Autumn Classic Race Day | Results |
Saturday 14th September 2019 | Grand Finals Race Day | Results |
Monday 26th August 2019 | Combe Countdown | Results |
Friday 9th August 2019 | CCRC Charity Track Day | |
Saturday 6th & Sunday 7th July 2019 | The BIG Weekend | Results |
Tuesday 18th June 2019 | RACING CLUB AGM | |
Saturday 8th June 2019 | CCRC Saloons Away Round | Results |
Monday 27th May 2019 | Combe Challenge Race Day | Results |
Monday 6th May 2019 | May Day Madness | Results |
Monday 22nd April 2019 | Howard's Day | Results |
Sunday 17th March 2019 | Marshals Training Day | |
Saturday 10th November 2018 | CCRC Awards Night | |
Saturday 6th October 2018 | CCRC Autumn Classic | Results |
Saturday 15th September 2018 | Grand Finals Race Day | Results |
Monday 27th August 2018 | Combe Countdown Race day | Results |
Saturday 11th & Sunday 12th August 2018 | BRSCC Caterham Race Weekend | Results |
Saturday 14th & Sunday 15th July 2018 | BRSCC TCR Race Weekend | Results |
Saturday 9th June 2018 | CCRC TRACK DAY | |
Monday 28th May 2018 | Combe Carnival Race Day | Results |
Monday 7th May 2018 | May Day Madness Race Day | Results |
Tuesday 24th & Tuesday 24th April 2018 | AGM & Guest Speaker | |
Sunday 8th April 2018 | MARSHALS TRAINING DAY | |
Monday 2nd April 2018 | Howard's Day Race Day | Results |
Saturday 11th November 2017 | CCRC Awards Night | |
Saturday 14th October 2017 | Grand Finals Day | Results |
Saturday 7th October 2017 | Autumn Classic | Results |
Monday 28th August 2017 | August Bank Holiday Race Day | Results |
Saturday 12th & Sunday 13th August 2017 | West Country Cracker | Results |
Saturday 15th & Sunday 16th July 2017 | BRSCC Weekender | Results |
Monday 29th May 2017 | Late May Bank Holiday Race Day | Results |
Monday 1st May 2017 | Early May Bank Holiday Race Day | Results |
Monday 17th April 2017 | Howards Day | Results |
Sunday 19th March 2017 | Marshals Training Day |
Howards Day
at
5 April 2021