Luke Cooper extends successive home CCRC Formula Ford wins to six at Castle Combe’s TCR UK extravaganza weekend…

19th July 2018

Another day in the sun for Cooper as glorious weather bathes down on Wiltshire’s Castle Combe Circuit

Chippenham’s Luke Cooper further cemented his Championship advantage by taking his sixth successive CCRC Formula Ford triumph at Castle Combe’s inaugural TCR UK meeting over the weekend (July 14-15).

The youngster was again the man to beat in the Castle Combe Racing Club Formula Ford 1600 Championship sponsored by Melksham Motor Spares, bagging pole position by 0.177secs from Josh Fisher – last year’s CCRC FF Champion – before eventually proceeding to notch up the victory and take the fastest lap.

The race was initially red flagged when Tom Hawkins ran into trouble and on the re-start Cooper lost out to Bridgewater’s Fisher, before eventually re-taking P1 a few laps later and leading thereafter to the chequered flag.

Fisher finished 1.6secs back, with David Vivian from Bradford on Avon completing the podium.

“I am absolutely ecstatic,” said Cooper on Saturday following his latest CCRC success. “It has been an amazing year so far. I couldn’t really have asked for much more here – six out of six, I am really happy with it.”

“I was a bit fortunate with the red flag because I was quite a long way off the leader at that point,” he admitted. “The red flag brought us back into it. I didn’t get the best of starts though and Josh got a very good start and was able to pull out a bit of a gap on the first couple of laps. But I was able to catch that back up and then get passed him and got into the lead. Once I had broken the tow, I was able to put in consistent lap times and pull away.”

“Overall it has been a bit of a dream year to date at Castle Combe. We have been really fast in the Avon Tyres Formula Ford National Championship as well, but have not been as fortune with the results. Still we have taken a win there and it has been brilliant for the team, the car and me. It has been an amazing year so far,” added Cooper, who later followed up his CCRC Formula Ford win with a third, eighth and a tenth in the three Castle Combe Formula Ford National races – all won incidentally by Championship leader Niall Murray.

Meanwhile, pole sitter Barry Squibb piloted his Mitsubishi Evo 9 2200 to victory in the Castle Combe GT Simonstone Championship, finishing 12.1secs up on Steve Putt. Tony Bennett was third – and also took the class B honours – ahead Stanton St Quintin’s Alan Hamilton, only 0.530secs back after the 15 laps. Westbury on Trym’s Tim Woodman, Bristol’s Paul Arber, Bath’s Stephan Lansley and Wesbury’s Adam Hall were ninth, twelfth, 13^th and 16^threspectively – the latter claiming Class E honours.

In the 32-car strong Castle Combe Saloon Car National Windscreen Championship, Gary Prebble moved up into P1 on lap 7, before bringing his Seat Leon Cupra 20v T home 3.8secs ahead of Calne’s Simon Thornton-Norris.

Melksham’s Neil Greenland was the Class B winner in seventh, while Adrian Slade – also from Melksham – took home gold in Class C (and 12^th overall). Class D went to Bristolian Matthew Parr in his Citroen Saxo.

As for the TCR UK Touring Car Championship, Huddersfield man Dan Lloyd won both races for WestCoast Racing, although he was demoted to second in the first after picking up a one second penalty for ‘driving in a manner incompatible with general safety’. That handed pole man Oliver Taylor the inaugural race win, 0.432 secs up.

Of the rest, Bristol’s James Colbourne did the double in the Teekay Couplings Production GTi Championship (with Chipping Norton’s Martyn Walsh both times ‘best of the rest’), while Adam Southgate won two of the Toyo Tires Porsche Championship races and James Coleman took the third. Steve Roberts won the first BRSCC Mazda MX-5 SuperCup race, before James Blake-Baldwin bagged gold in the second and third races. Michael Watton took a clean sweep of wins in the three Speed Group F1000 Championship races, with Steven Daily the double victor in Nankang Tyres BMW Compact Cup and Tom Stoten bagged a lights-to-flag victory in the sole SRCC Sports 2000 Championship race in his Gunn TS11. In total there were 22 races over the two days.

The racing now resumes at Castle Combe on August 11-12 with the BRSCC Caterham Race Weekend.

Tickets are on sale now, with further details at www.castlecombecircuit.co.uk

Images courtesy of Steve Jones
For further information about the circuit visit www.castlecombecircuit.co.uk
For hi-res images, please email info@castlecombecircuit.co.uk

	Date	Circuit / Layout	Event Type	Cost
September 2023
+	Tuesday 26 September 2023	Spa Francorchamps Grand Prix	Track Day A track day is an event that allows you to take your CAR or BIKE (with a valid MOT) on any listed circuit with your valid road license. Briefing must be attended before taking to the track. Some days are sessioned based on time of day, the car/bikes power or the driver/rider experience, an open pit lane means the circuit is open at all time to all attendees until the track limit is reached. Overtaking is usually by consent of the leading car/bike. No timing or GPS is allowed on track days. Passengers are allowed.	£649
	Duration Full day Country Belgium Skill level - Requirements Notes: Photography Spa Francorchamps There are 2 pitlanes in use currently, the GP pits (detailed in the map above) & the endurance pits (entry after the GP exit, and exit onto the start of Kemmel). A lap starting from the GP exit goes down towards Eau Rouge and Raidillon. The trick is to go as close to the wall as you can, and stay there. Then, you cross to the left, over the big patch of curbstone. You straighten the wheel again and brake as you see fit. After the braking, and when you’ve started the climb of Raidillon, Read more
+	Friday 29 September 2023	Thruxton Full	Track Day A track day is an event that allows you to take your CAR or BIKE (with a valid MOT) on any listed circuit with your valid road license. Briefing must be attended before taking to the track. Some days are sessioned based on time of day, the car/bikes power or the driver/rider experience, an open pit lane means the circuit is open at all time to all attendees until the track limit is reached. Overtaking is usually by consent of the leading car/bike. No timing or GPS is allowed on track days. Passengers are allowed.	£179
	Duration Full day Country United Kingdom Skill level - Requirements Closed Wheel Only Notes: Free photography, free tuiton, free refreshments Thruxton One of the longest and the fastest circuits in the UK at 2.356 miles, Thruxton is another old airbase which has been used for motorsport since 1950. Racing at Thruxton is limited, and track days are even rarer due to strict noise restrictions so the visit of British Touring Cars and the British Superbike Championship are the main points of the season at Thruxton. The surface at Thruxton is a tough one and is known for causing severe tyre wear. Graining occurs but it does give surprisingly Read more
October 2023
+	Monday 09 October 2023	Anglesey Coastal	Track Day A track day is an event that allows you to take your CAR or BIKE (with a valid MOT) on any listed circuit with your valid road license. Briefing must be attended before taking to the track. Some days are sessioned based on time of day, the car/bikes power or the driver/rider experience, an open pit lane means the circuit is open at all time to all attendees until the track limit is reached. Overtaking is usually by consent of the leading car/bike. No timing or GPS is allowed on track days. Passengers are allowed.	£184
	Duration Full day Country United Kingdom Skill level - Requirements Closed Wheel Only Notes: Free photography, free tuiton, free refreshments Anglesey David Walley – Porsche 997 GT3 www.davidwalley.com The newly tarmacked Anglesey circuit has some breathtaking views (even while driving). As you drift around Peel corner, the view of the Irish Sea is spectacular. The TV series 5th Gear used the circuit for “shoot outs”, which shows how demanding this circuit can be with Tiff Needell thrashing factory cars around. Needless to say, in Wales it’s normally wet, but there’s a surprising amount of grip. However, for a dry lap the Read more
+	Tuesday 10 October 2023	Donington Park Grand Prix	Track Day A track day is an event that allows you to take your CAR or BIKE (with a valid MOT) on any listed circuit with your valid road license. Briefing must be attended before taking to the track. Some days are sessioned based on time of day, the car/bikes power or the driver/rider experience, an open pit lane means the circuit is open at all time to all attendees until the track limit is reached. Overtaking is usually by consent of the leading car/bike. No timing or GPS is allowed on track days. Passengers are allowed.	£649
	Duration Full day Country United Kingdom Skill level - Requirements Notes: Photography Donington Park Paul Wilson – www.paul-wilson.net Vantage GT3 for a Leonard AMR in the VLN Nordschleife series Donington Park (with one N!) was the first permanent park circuit in England, opening in 1931. During the Second World War, the track was requisitioned by the Ministry of Defence and it took until 1971 before the track was purchased by local man Tom Wheatcroft and turned back into the track it is today. Below is an expert guide to Donington Park by Paul Wilson, Caterham R300 Champion, Read more
+	Friday 13 October 2023	Cadwell Park Full	Track Day A track day is an event that allows you to take your CAR or BIKE (with a valid MOT) on any listed circuit with your valid road license. Briefing must be attended before taking to the track. Some days are sessioned based on time of day, the car/bikes power or the driver/rider experience, an open pit lane means the circuit is open at all time to all attendees until the track limit is reached. Overtaking is usually by consent of the leading car/bike. No timing or GPS is allowed on track days. Passengers are allowed.	£149
	Duration Full day Country United Kingdom Skill level - Requirements Closed Wheel Only Notes: Free photography, free tuiton, free refreshments Cadwell Park Jamie Stanley – www.jamiestanley.co.uk Cadwell is just off the A153 between Louth & Horncastle. From the south, leave the A1 at Grantham and take the A153 all the way to the track. From the north, take the A18/A16 to Louth, then the circuit is 7 miles south on the A153. Coppice is a very fast corner but be really smooth with the turn in and allow the car room on the exit of the corner. Following the first corner, bring the car back to the left, light brake and then turn the car in Read more
+	Thursday 26 October 2023	Brands Hatch Indy	Track Day A track day is an event that allows you to take your CAR or BIKE (with a valid MOT) on any listed circuit with your valid road license. Briefing must be attended before taking to the track. Some days are sessioned based on time of day, the car/bikes power or the driver/rider experience, an open pit lane means the circuit is open at all time to all attendees until the track limit is reached. Overtaking is usually by consent of the leading car/bike. No timing or GPS is allowed on track days. Passengers are allowed.	£239
	Duration Full day Country United Kingdom Skill level - Requirements Closed Wheel Only Notes: Free photography, free tuiton, free refreshments Brands Hatch Paul Rivett – www.paulrivett.com Brands Hatch was once a dirt track motorcycle circuit on farmland, but is now one of the most thrilling circuits in the UK with races from grass track to DTM. Below is an expert guide to Brands Hatch by Paul Rivett, three-times Clio Cup Championship winner. The circuit begins on the Brabham Straight, an off-camber, slightly curved stretch. The ideal line is to hug the pit wall until the start/finish line and then move to the left of the circuit to Read more
November 2023
+	Tuesday 07 November 2023	Snetterton 300	Track Day A track day is an event that allows you to take your CAR or BIKE (with a valid MOT) on any listed circuit with your valid road license. Briefing must be attended before taking to the track. Some days are sessioned based on time of day, the car/bikes power or the driver/rider experience, an open pit lane means the circuit is open at all time to all attendees until the track limit is reached. Overtaking is usually by consent of the leading car/bike. No timing or GPS is allowed on track days. Passengers are allowed.	£199
	Duration Full day Country United Kingdom Skill level - Requirements Notes: Photography Snetterton Ben Clucas – www.benclucas.co.uk Snetterton has three configurations, split up into the 100, 200 and 300. By far the most used circuit for almost all track days, test days and races is the 300, three-mile configuration, completed in 2011. It isn’t the easiest of the main UK circuits to get to, situated in Norfolk, with parts of the A11 still single carriageway if you are coming from the Midlands or South, although this road is currently under construction and may all be dual Read more
+	Monday 13 November 2023	Donington Park National	Track Day A track day is an event that allows you to take your CAR or BIKE (with a valid MOT) on any listed circuit with your valid road license. Briefing must be attended before taking to the track. Some days are sessioned based on time of day, the car/bikes power or the driver/rider experience, an open pit lane means the circuit is open at all time to all attendees until the track limit is reached. Overtaking is usually by consent of the leading car/bike. No timing or GPS is allowed on track days. Passengers are allowed.	£149
	Duration Full day Country United Kingdom Skill level - Requirements Closed Wheel Only Notes: Free photography, free tuiton, free refreshments Donington Park Paul Wilson – www.paul-wilson.net Vantage GT3 for a Leonard AMR in the VLN Nordschleife series Donington Park (with one N!) was the first permanent park circuit in England, opening in 1931. During the Second World War, the track was requisitioned by the Ministry of Defence and it took until 1971 before the track was purchased by local man Tom Wheatcroft and turned back into the track it is today. Below is an expert guide to Donington Park by Paul Wilson, Caterham R300 Champion, Read more
+	Thursday 16 November 2023	Cadwell Park	Track Day A track day is an event that allows you to take your CAR or BIKE (with a valid MOT) on any listed circuit with your valid road license. Briefing must be attended before taking to the track. Some days are sessioned based on time of day, the car/bikes power or the driver/rider experience, an open pit lane means the circuit is open at all time to all attendees until the track limit is reached. Overtaking is usually by consent of the leading car/bike. No timing or GPS is allowed on track days. Passengers are allowed.	£175
	Duration Full day Country United Kingdom Skill level - Requirements Notes: Photography Cadwell Park Jamie Stanley – www.jamiestanley.co.uk Cadwell is just off the A153 between Louth & Horncastle. From the south, leave the A1 at Grantham and take the A153 all the way to the track. From the north, take the A18/A16 to Louth, then the circuit is 7 miles south on the A153. Coppice is a very fast corner but be really smooth with the turn in and allow the car room on the exit of the corner. Following the first corner, bring the car back to the left, light brake and then turn the car in Read more
+	Friday 17 November 2023	Donington Park Grand Prix	Track Day A track day is an event that allows you to take your CAR or BIKE (with a valid MOT) on any listed circuit with your valid road license. Briefing must be attended before taking to the track. Some days are sessioned based on time of day, the car/bikes power or the driver/rider experience, an open pit lane means the circuit is open at all time to all attendees until the track limit is reached. Overtaking is usually by consent of the leading car/bike. No timing or GPS is allowed on track days. Passengers are allowed.	£199
	Duration Full day Country United Kingdom Skill level - Requirements Notes: Photography Donington Park Paul Wilson – www.paul-wilson.net Vantage GT3 for a Leonard AMR in the VLN Nordschleife series Donington Park (with one N!) was the first permanent park circuit in England, opening in 1931. During the Second World War, the track was requisitioned by the Ministry of Defence and it took until 1971 before the track was purchased by local man Tom Wheatcroft and turned back into the track it is today. Below is an expert guide to Donington Park by Paul Wilson, Caterham R300 Champion, Read more

Date

Circuit / Layout

Event Type

Cost

September 2023

Tuesday
26 September 2023

Spa Francorchamps
Grand Prix

Track Day A track day is an event that allows you to take your CAR or BIKE (with a valid MOT) on any listed circuit with your valid road license. Briefing must be attended before taking to the track. Some days are sessioned based on time of day, the car/bikes power or the driver/rider experience, an open pit lane means the circuit is open at all time to all attendees until the track limit is reached. Overtaking is usually by consent of the leading car/bike. No timing or GPS is allowed on track days. Passengers are allowed.

£649

Duration Full day
Country Belgium
Skill level -
Requirements

Notes: Photography

Spa Francorchamps There are 2 pitlanes in use currently, the GP pits (detailed in the map above) & the endurance pits (entry after the GP exit, and exit onto the start of Kemmel). A lap starting from the GP exit goes down towards Eau Rouge and Raidillon. The trick is to go as close to the wall as you can, and stay there. Then, you cross to the left, over the big patch of curbstone. You straighten the wheel again and brake as you see fit. After the braking, and when you’ve started the climb of Raidillon, Read more

Friday
29 September 2023

Thruxton
Full

£179

Duration Full day
Country United Kingdom
Skill level -
Requirements Closed Wheel Only

Notes: Free photography, free tuiton, free refreshments

Thruxton One of the longest and the fastest circuits in the UK at 2.356 miles, Thruxton is another old airbase which has been used for motorsport since 1950. Racing at Thruxton is limited, and track days are even rarer due to strict noise restrictions so the visit of British Touring Cars and the British Superbike Championship are the main points of the season at Thruxton. The surface at Thruxton is a tough one and is known for causing severe tyre wear. Graining occurs but it does give surprisingly Read more

October 2023

Monday
09 October 2023

Anglesey
Coastal

£184

Duration Full day
Country United Kingdom
Skill level -
Requirements Closed Wheel Only

Notes: Free photography, free tuiton, free refreshments

Anglesey David Walley – Porsche 997 GT3 www.davidwalley.com The newly tarmacked Anglesey circuit has some breathtaking views (even while driving). As you drift around Peel corner, the view of the Irish Sea is spectacular. The TV series 5th Gear used the circuit for “shoot outs”, which shows how demanding this circuit can be with Tiff Needell thrashing factory cars around. Needless to say, in Wales it’s normally wet, but there’s a surprising amount of grip. However, for a dry lap the Read more

Tuesday
10 October 2023

Donington Park
Grand Prix

£649

Duration Full day
Country United Kingdom
Skill level -
Requirements

Notes: Photography

Donington Park Paul Wilson – www.paul-wilson.net Vantage GT3 for a Leonard AMR in the VLN Nordschleife series Donington Park (with one N!) was the first permanent park circuit in England, opening in 1931. During the Second World War, the track was requisitioned by the Ministry of Defence and it took until 1971 before the track was purchased by local man Tom Wheatcroft and turned back into the track it is today. Below is an expert guide to Donington Park by Paul Wilson, Caterham R300 Champion, Read more

Friday
13 October 2023

Cadwell Park
Full

£149

Duration Full day
Country United Kingdom
Skill level -
Requirements Closed Wheel Only

Notes: Free photography, free tuiton, free refreshments

Cadwell Park Jamie Stanley – www.jamiestanley.co.uk Cadwell is just off the A153 between Louth & Horncastle. From the south, leave the A1 at Grantham and take the A153 all the way to the track. From the north, take the A18/A16 to Louth, then the circuit is 7 miles south on the A153. Coppice is a very fast corner but be really smooth with the turn in and allow the car room on the exit of the corner. Following the first corner, bring the car back to the left, light brake and then turn the car in Read more

Thursday
26 October 2023

Brands Hatch
Indy

£239

Duration Full day
Country United Kingdom
Skill level -
Requirements Closed Wheel Only

Notes: Free photography, free tuiton, free refreshments

Brands Hatch Paul Rivett – www.paulrivett.com Brands Hatch was once a dirt track motorcycle circuit on farmland, but is now one of the most thrilling circuits in the UK with races from grass track to DTM. Below is an expert guide to Brands Hatch by Paul Rivett, three-times Clio Cup Championship winner. The circuit begins on the Brabham Straight, an off-camber, slightly curved stretch. The ideal line is to hug the pit wall until the start/finish line and then move to the left of the circuit to Read more

November 2023

Tuesday
07 November 2023

Snetterton
300

£199

Duration Full day
Country United Kingdom
Skill level -
Requirements

Notes: Photography

Snetterton Ben Clucas – www.benclucas.co.uk Snetterton has three configurations, split up into the 100, 200 and 300. By far the most used circuit for almost all track days, test days and races is the 300, three-mile configuration, completed in 2011. It isn’t the easiest of the main UK circuits to get to, situated in Norfolk, with parts of the A11 still single carriageway if you are coming from the Midlands or South, although this road is currently under construction and may all be dual Read more

Monday
13 November 2023

Donington Park
National

£149

Duration Full day
Country United Kingdom
Skill level -
Requirements Closed Wheel Only

Notes: Free photography, free tuiton, free refreshments

Thursday
16 November 2023

Cadwell Park

£175

Duration Full day
Country United Kingdom
Skill level -
Requirements

Notes: Photography

Friday
17 November 2023

Donington Park
Grand Prix

£199

Duration Full day
Country United Kingdom
Skill level -
Requirements

Notes: Photography

Luke Cooper extends successive home CCRC Formula Ford wins to six at Castle Combe’s TCR UK extravaganza weekend…

Upcoming Track Days

Latest News

MotorsportDays.com Relaunch Website

Enduro KA walk through

Circuit du Var Luc

Luke Cooper extends successive home CCRC Formula Ford wins to six at Castle Combe’s TCR UK extravaganza weekend…

Upcoming Track Days

Latest News

MotorsportDays.com Relaunch Website

Enduro KA walk through

Circuit du Var Luc

Are you track ready?