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In Car Video . .

Thanks to the equipment and expertise courtesy of Paul Webb and Colmworth Classic Cars, race coverage from 2010 -

WSM 208 at Brands Hatch April 10th with the 'Equipe' GTS grid

05/05/2012 HRDC 360 . .

For many, the 300 circuit at Snetterton was a new and pleasurable experience, and the HRDC tie up with the 360MRC equally so - the ethos of endurance racing allied to a relaxed paddock is shared by both organisations -

Practice - the Sebring Sprite of Gordon Elwell headed the Grand Touring Greats grid ahead of Rae Davis's Mini Gem GT and Ian Hulett's WSM, while the MGB50 times had James Cottingham comfortably on pole from Will Linley.

GTG Race - Hulett's WSM retired on the out lap with ignition failure, but Elwell's start was immaculate as usual and he headed Davis until lap 5 when the Mini Gem slipped inside through Coram. The Le Mans Sprite of Jim Prentice was obviously not on full song as he sank to 8th, and Arculus battled with Adam Gittings' Ashley GT for 4th. Elwell and Davis were well matched, but Elwell's decisive move came on lap 7, and he was not to be headed again as Davis retired late on. A recovering Prentice caught the battling Arculus (3rd) and Gittings (4th) on the last lap for second.

MGB50 - Dave Alston's rapid getaway and unlucky Cottingham's head gasket demise handed Alston the lead off the line, but Bill Kirkpatrick was on his case and seized the advantage on lap 2 to then dominate with a 7 second margin, while Linley and Jon Sandilands demoted Alston to 4th at the flag.

Pit & Paddock

Clive Cocks was pleased with 8th in WSM210 and springs a leak beside the Alexander Sprite as Paul Freeman (red overalls) watches the flow . .

It was'nt clear to Freeman or Hulett just how the pedestrian had become attached nor for how long . . ?

Ding Boston (OUMF) and woolly hatted Bob Ridgard (Ridgard Seats) in colour sync . .

pictures courtesy of Paul Webb

Mike Youles is sorting his Rochdale Olympic for the next HRDC event, and continuing a Sebring build incorporating a bootlid as per DW-S in 1962 - the connection between WSM and Rochdale stems from the latters windscreen curvature being the basis of the WSM pattern.

The Alexander Sprite of Paul Freeman was awarded Best Prepared Car by the HRDC organisers.

Next race Spa Summer Classic, Saturday 16th June HRDC

09/04/2012 Wringing Wiltshire . .

Typical Bank Holiday weather all day failed to dampen HRDC's sunny disposition, and the sun still shone from organiser Julius Thurgood's administrative orifice -

'Grand Touring Greats' qualifying saw several new entries, the quickest including Ben Adams (Turner Mk 2), Ken Selfe (Mini Marcos) and Will Penrose (Ashley GT) amongst a stellar 27 car grid. Paul Woolmer (Sebring Sprite) was singing in the rain with pole, while Rae Davis (Mini Gem) lurked in second. WSM interest surrounded Ian Hulett's continued progress with the 401 Sanction 2 setup, with Brian Arculus (WSM 202) in close company, and Clive Cocks (WSM 210).

Race - Davis took the lead from Woolmer and Adams as the Selfe Marcos remained rooted to its 4th place grid position and initiated a scamble in the pack to miss the diminutive obstacle. Adams ghosted by the Mini Gem on lap three and held Davis and Woolmer at bay until Davis upped the stakes on lap 13. Recovering Selfe set fastest lap and was 3rd by lap 12, but Davis was away for an 11 second margin at the flag as the Marcos succumbed to mechanical failure and Adams settled for the silver medal. Woolmer took another comfortable podium, while Andrew Frankel demonstrated exquisite handling of the Alfa Giulietta SS in 5th place. The WSM flag flew with Hulett in 6th, Arculus in 12th and Cocks 21st, but a dnf for WSM 208.

Click on for results

Click on for Marcus Pye's Autosport column

pictures courtesy of Paul Webb

Pit & Paddock

A good week-end for WSM pilote Arculus, with a win at Donington on Saturday in the Lotus Elite, and getting to grips on Monday with his recently acquired Hillman Minx Alexander in 'Touring Greats'. .

Ex-WSM 205 owner and racer Mike White with wife Annabelle braved the elements in support of WSM once again from their Oxfordshire home, both well qualified to compare this meeting with last years deluge at Mallory in May . .

The 'MGB50' qualifying threw up the usual rapid suspects in Tom Smith and James Cottingham, but both were usurped by Ben Rushworth for pole . .

Driver of The Day was Marc Campfield in the 'GTS65' race for pre-66 Historic GT cars, where downright exuberent useage of the Austin Healey 3000 was hugely entertaining in a dominant display . .

Ted Walker of Ferret photographics fame stopped by the WSM entourage and will be visiting the Isle of Man on two-wheeled business within the next few weeks - he's sworn to provide an alibi for a pint or two . .

Charles and Vicky Botsford brought family links from Shepton Mallet, Somerset, but I think Vicky may not be a convert to motorsport after such miserable weather . .

Maggie Hulett provided shelter, warmth, food and drink from the motorhome to all - Sainthood beckons . .

Next HRDC meeting including WSM's - Snetterton May 5th

02/04/2012 Historica Day . .

High Class Historics for Castle Combe Season Opener . .

'The Castle Combe circuit’s 2012 season gets under way by going back in time to the era of the late 1950’s and early ‘60’s, with ‘Historica’ race day on Easter Monday, April 9. The Historic Racing Drivers Club with its highly professional approach and enviously regarded catalogue of well supported races, presents a marvellous array of machinery to delight the crowds.

Five HRDC races encompass some of the best historic racing cars and drivers imaginable, with the ‘Touring Greats’ for Pre-’60 touring cars just one of the highlights. Many of the cars seem unlikely competition contenders, but the rules are specifically written to attract the likes of the Hillman Minx, Rover 105S, Borgward Isabella, Standard Vanguard and Daimler Conquest. A full grid bodes well for a superb race.

In this the 50th anniversary year of the MGB, it’s fitting to welcome the first ‘MGB50’ race to Castle Combe, with a number of stunning cars, including the fast 1963 ‘Roadster’ of James Cottingham, and a WSM GT (left).'

The slightly more modern ‘TC63’ for pre-’64 cars is equally diverse, with such gems as a Mercedes Benz 300SE, Studebaker Lark Daytone 500, Vauxhall VX4/90 and the MG Magnette of HRDC founder Julius Thurgood. The race is dedicated to the memory of the late Alan Mann.

Ted Williams from Nailsea, a veteran of Castle Combe and historic racing generally, swops from an AC Cobra shared with son Mark to his Austin Healey 3000 in the 45 minute ‘GTS65’ race for pre-’66 historic sports cars. Barry 'Whizzo' Williams is amongst the opposition, and the legendary Whizzo will be sharing a Porsche 904/6 with Richard Frankel. The Morgan Plus 4SLR of Keith Ahlers (pictured) should be interesting, but American muscle may rule if the day is dry.

The ‘Grand Touring Greats’ for sub-1500cc cars provides one of the most interesting races with a huge field of mainly ‘Sprite’ based specials including three wonderful WSM cars, one of which (right) is driven by Ian Hulett, former FISC European champion. Barrie Williams (pictured left with WSM 208 in 2011) gets another ride in an Ashley GT and there’s even the Le Mans prototype car from 1966. The main opposition for the BMC based cars comes from the Alfa's, including the Giulietta SS, with the Williams/Frankel partnership again behind the wheel.'

Click on for the full page of Castle Combe Racing Club News.

31/03/2012 Swingers In Leicestershire . .

Clive Cocks and Ian Hulett in WSM's 210 and 401 were at Mallory last Thursday for a test day. Ian made some suspension changes to the rear springs and the front geometry with the knowledge that it could'nt be worse than last October at Snetterton when the car made its racing debut. They swapped cars mid session, which lead to Clive removing some rear suspension mods, and Ian considering a change in brake pad composition . .

30/03/2012 Combe Entries . .

WSM will be out in force on Easter Monday in the Historica Race Day HRDC races - 202, 208, 210 and 401 will contest the 'Grand Touring Greats' grid, and the WSM MGB makes a 2012 debut in the 'MGB 50' race. We also look forward to catching up with Derek Ayres, a long time friend and motor sport associate of DW-S who shared a love of Bentley's and lives not far from the circuit.

08/02/2012 Season opener in Wiltshire . .

With all the itineraries published, it appears the 50th birthday celebrations will be extensive - the MGCC trilogy kicks off with a dedicated MGB race at Silverstone MGLive 23rd/24th June, then parties on with the Silverstone Classic 20th/22nd July and culminates with a gathering at Blenheim Palace 23rd September.

Meanwhile the HRDC, 'Equipe' GTS and 'Ecurie' GTS race series all have events throughout the season, although only the HRDC host MGB celebratory grids. The season begins at the Castle Combe 'Historica' Race Day on Bank Holiday Monday April 9th, and the WSM MGB is entered for the 30 minute single driver event. The WSM Sprite's of Arculus, Cocks, Davis and W-S are contesting the 'Grand Touring Greats' half hour enduro alongside Paul Woolmer in BXN . .

HRDC calendar . .

Almost as exciting as the Pirelli version, but actually has race dates and venues - Castle Combe, Spa and Donington highlight the 'Grand Touring Greats' and the 'MGB50' grids from the Thurgood stable. A 'definite' will be the 18th August date at Lydden Hill in Kent, where tarmac was first laid in 1965 and only WSM 206 with DW-S at the helm has set foot -WSM engine builder Keith Calver recently raced there in his Cooper S and highly recommends also. Belgian frites beckon on 16th June to the historic Francorchamps circuit, and a welcome return is carded to Donington on 28th July for our first time since circuit reviver Tom Wheatcroft's demise . .

25/11/2011 MGB50 . .

Birthday celebrations in 2012 for the MGB 50th are planned, and FIA MGB's will be faced with a multitude of choice. First out of the blocks was Julius Thurgood at the HRDC, conspiring with Barry Sidery-Smith who headlines a series of races kicking off with Castle Combe on April 9th. Ron Gammons at the MGCC includes the Silverstone MGLive event in June as the jewel in their series of races, while the 'Equipe' GTS grids, now esconced with the AMOC, have for years attracted substantial numbers. The new kid on the block is 'Ecurie' GTS, similar in nature to 'Equipe' but administered within the MGCC . .

23/11/2011 Healey Sport . .

Following the demise of the Austin-Healey Club race championship, Healey Club director and Competition Secretary Joe Cox detailed the changes made to ensure an ongoing future for Spridget pilots. The MGCC take over responsibility for the Lackford Engineering Midget & Sprite Challenge, and with no changes to specifications, the transition should be seamless.