Special Motorsports Event - Historic Drivers Race At HRDC Castle Combe On April 9

Castle Combe, Feb. 1, 2012: Early entries for grid slots at the HRDC 'Historica' Festival - which will be held on the traditional Easter Bank Holiday Monday race meeting date (9 April) at Castle Combe - have been flooding into the HRDC Race HQ in Leamington Spa.

HRDC's Race Director - Julius Thurgood - commented: "The response from competitors to this Easter Monday Castle Combe meeting has been amazing, especially so early in the year. This is probably due to the reputation earned by the HRDC last season for fielding full grids and the fact that this particular date at Castle Combe has been so well established over the years; it is considered a 'must-do' event in the historic racing diary. Certainly Howard Strawford's team at Castle Combe add a 'feel-good' factor to everything that they do at this historic venue. There is also the added factor of the value for money entry fee system operated by the HRDC - £395 for 70 minutes of track time is a really good deal in the historic sector."

Le Mans ace, Darren Turner, was one of the first competitors to sign-up for Castle Combe. He will be partnering James Turner in the ex-Adam Gittings Ford Zodiac Mk2 which the pair bought early last year. Currently being fettled by Shaun Rainford's team at CCK Historic, this well-known racer is set for a full season of HRDC 'Touring Greats'. No doubt this will be a series front-runner. Looking to keep the Ford pairing honest will be Goodwood ace, Rae Davis, in his diminutive Austin A35 - "I'm looking forward to giving all the big cars a real run for their money at Castle Combe - I can't wait to get out there!"

The HRDC 'MGB50' is set to bring a big grid of FIA historic 'B' racers - along with several works cars including the 1965 Le Mans car, which will be pedalled with verve by Barry 'Sideways' Smith.

HRDC 'GTS65' will see a great range of larger-capacity historic GTs run in a long-distance format. Keith Ahlers is entered in his fabulous Morgan Plus 4 SLR; 'Whizzo' Williams will be partnering Richard Frankel in the ex-Scuderia Filipinetti Porsche 904/6.

A strong grid of HRDC 'Grand Touring Greats' small-bore GTs is expected. Mike Youles will be looking for a win with his rare Rochdale Olympic, after a great debut last year at Snetterton. Ian Burford will debut the freshly restored 'Lumbertubs' Sprite.

HRDC 'TC63' ran an impressive grid for the first time at Snetterton back in October. Paul Clayson hopes to debut the recently re-discovered ex-Chris Lawrence, Zolder-winning, Blydenstein Vauxhall VX4/90. Tony Murray will again be out with his gorgeous Alfa Romeo 2600 Sprint.

HRDC RACES AT CASTLE COMBE ON 9 APRIL

:: HRDC 'Touring Greats' for pre-'60 historic touring cars and XK Jaguars (45 mins race/25 mins practice);

:: HRDC 'Grand Touring Greats' for pre-'66, sub-1500cc historic GT cars (30 mins race/15 mins practice);

:: HRDC 'GTS65' for pre-'66, over-1500cc historic GT cars (45 mins race/25 mins practice);

:: HRDC 'TC63' for pre-'64, historic touring cars (30 mins race/15 mins practice);

:: HRDC 'MGB50' for FIA pre-'66 MGB cars (30 mins race/15 mins practice).

Entries and registration to HRDC (no registration fee!) can be made via www.hrdc.eu.