Castle Combe 5th May 2003

A hot and sunny day at Combe saw as predicted a much better race-day for the Van Diemen runners.

Star of the weekend was undoubtedly our Hathaway racing pair of Dave Mountain and Allen Timpany.

Dave Mountain’s new car arrived last week and despite only a quick run on the local airfield, Dave put the car on pole position for the Pro Sports race. The car and Dave were on top form recording a 1.09.031 lap before he left the track at the end of the day, this was over 0.5 seconds quicker than his pole time and was achieved in the GT race. Dave and Graham Hathaway are sure there is lots of time and development still in the car and they are looking forward to the next race.
Nik was third on the grid and seemed to be working very hard to better his lap record from last years race, which of course was run in his pinto car. The Duratec should have been much quicker, and he was unsure of the problem at this stage.

Allen Timpany finished 3rd overall and second in class

The race was a triumph for Dave Mountain as despite getting away slowly and being led by the Carbir of Manderson for a couple of laps he was closing in when the Carbir engine failed. Dave charged on and led to the flag from the Combe specialist Chris Gilbert in his Duratec Lola. Allen Timpany finished third after a great battle with Louis Jones, and achieved second in class, putting some points on the board.

Dave Mountain, WINNER

Nik only completed two laps as his engine power disappeared, a fault traced to the fuel pressure regulator, which had allowed the pressure to drop as the lock nut had loosened and the pressure screw unwound. This was a blow, but at least the engine is OK and we will fight another day.
Our pinto runners finished their race with Mike Turner coming fifth and Rupert Russell seventh. David Houghton again finished the course with ever better lap times.
Nik will miss the next round, as he will be in the USA for three races that start his campaign there.