Reports > Castle Combe Carnival & Finals day Oct 8 2016
Pete's Farewell at Combe finals day
The Grand Finals (and Formula Ford Carnival) Race Day at Castle Combe on Saturday October 8 was really all about one thing - Pete Diccox's last race after countless years competing at the venue with Wayne Poole Racing.
The organisers and marshals arranged a special celebration and guard of honour on the grid for Pete and wife, Rita along with the whole of the WPR team. However, this is motor racing and all didn't go smoothly. Morning practice was wet and saw Pete only get in a few laps in his Van Diemen RF89 which meant he was due to start on the final row of the grid for the CCRC Championship race. After one of his customary good starts, Pete was hit up the back going into Quarry on the first lap and had to retire on the spot. The team were able to make some hasty repairs and, although he wasn't entered for the Formula Ford Carnival due to take place later in the afternoon, Pete was allowed to start his final race in the Carnival. He was able to complete 9 laps before the rear suspension unfortunately failed.
The other WPR drivers in the two Formula Ford races fared rather better with identical results in both races. Josh Fisher, aboard the Hudson-Evans Van Diemen JL came through from his 5th place grid spots to take 3rd overall and in Class A in both races. Andrew Higginbottom (Van Diemen RF88) continued his run of good form with a pair of second places in Class C with Steve Bracegirdle (Van Diemen RF89) backing this up with a couple of thirds in Class C.
In the Castle Combe Saloon car race Guy Parr and Steve Bracegirdle qualified their Mini Cooper S's in line astern in 30th and 31st places. They finished in 27th and 31st places respectively with Steve hampered by an open tailgate after the catch failed! Guy Parr also took part in the Mighty Mini Championship race in his newly acquired car qualifying and finishing a good seventh. Completing a busy day for himself and the team (who were running 8 cars out on track 22 times!) Guy also took part in the Sports vs Saloons race qualifying 24th and finishing 19th.
Many thanks for Mike Stokes of Trackside Images for the photos
