Reports > MSVR Raceday Castle Combe August 3rd 2013

A class win and second place for Steve Bracegirdle

The WPR team had three Formula Fords entered for the 15 Lap Castle Combe FF Championship race with Calum McHale making his second appearance in the his Mygale SJ01 following a good test the Thursday before the race along with Steve Bracegirdle hoping to close up on Championship Class leader Iain Houston and Pete Diccox out in Wayne Poole's own Van Diemen RF88 as Pete's usual car was still being repaired.

Practice was warm and dry with Calum, celebrating his 21st Birthday, getting into the 1m 14s to line up midfield in 12th place. Steve outqualified his championship rival with Pete just behind and finding the set up on the RF88 a bit twitchier than his usual car.

In the race Pete made his customary good start sliding up the inside of Steve (struggling with a misfire that soon cleared itself) at Quarry and then repeating the manoeuvre at Tower. But Pete ran wide with Steve missing the rear of his car as Steve cut back to take second in class and set off in chase of the class leader who was up the road just behind Calum.

Steve quickly caught Iain Houston and was engaged in a very close championship tussle for a few laps until the safety car came out. On the re-start Calum got away well and proceeded to lap quickly and consistently, pulling away from the cars behind to finish an excellent ninth.

Meanwhile Steve extended his class lead with his rival suffering a broken exhaust and came home the class winner with fastest lap and closing the gap a little in the championship standings. Pete completed the race to take third in class.

Steve Bracegirdle was out again in the GT race and with many of the regulars away at Brands for an OSS race STeve was pleased to qualify on the front row with his Nemesis GT just half a second away from pole. By the time the race started heavy showers had soaked the track and Steve, no lover of the conditions, made a good start to lead the first 4 laps but lost the lead although he followed closely for a few more laps before dropping back and settling for second overall at the finish.