MOTOR RACING: Le Mans star poised for Castle Combe appearance (From Swindon Advertiser)

MOTOR RACING: Le Mans star poised for Castle Combe appearance

7:10am Saturday 4th February 2012 in Sport

LE MANS ace Darren Turner is one of the many early entries for grid slots at the HRDC ‘Historica’ Festival - due to be held on the traditional Easter Bank Holiday Monday race meeting date (April 9) at Castle Combe - which have been flooding into the HRDC Race HQ in Leamington Spa.

Turner was one of the first competitors to sign up for Castle Combe and he will partner James Turner in the ex-Adam Gittings Ford Zodiac Mk2, which the pair bought early last year.

Currently being fettled by Shaun Rainford’s team at CCK Historic, this well-known racer is set for a full season of HRDC ‘Touring Greats’. No doubt this will be a series front-runner.

Looking to keep the Ford pairing honest will be Goodwood ace, Rae Davis, in his diminutive Austin A35.

He said: “I’m looking forward to giving all the big cars a real run for their money at Castle Combe - I can’t wait to get out there.”

HRDC’s Race Director Julius Thurgood said: “The response from competitors to this Easter Monday Castle Combe meeting has been amazing, especially so early in the year.

“This is probably due to the reputation earned by the HRDC last season for fielding full grids and the fact that this particular date at Castle Combe has been so well established over the years.

“It is considered a must-do event in the historic racing diary.

“Certainly Howard Strawford’s team at Castle Combe add a feel-good factor to everything that they do at this historic venue.

“There is also the added factor of the value for money entry fee system operated by the HRDC - £395 for 70 minutes of track time - it’s a really good deal in the historic sector.”

The HRDC ‘MGB50’ is set to bring a big grid of FIA historic ‘B’ racers - along with several works cars including the 1965 Le Mans car, which will be pedalled with verve by Barry ‘Sideways’ Smith.