Castle Combe
Buxton saves the day for GAC with a podium as Galpin, Farmer and Hands hit trouble.
The fourth round of the Formula Vee Championship took place at the spectacular Castle Combe circuit in Wiltshire on Bank Holiday Monday and, true to form, it didn't just rain but it poured.
With no rain for over six weeks the track was treacherous but qualifying saw Martin Galpin line up second on the grid with wet weather maestro Ian Buxton a row behind in fourth, Danny Hands eighth, Martin Farmer thirteenth and Jamie Conyers fifteenth.
At the start it was Galpin in his red and white GAC01 who got the jump on pole man James Birch in the Scarab leading the pack down to the daunting Quarry corner for the first time. Buxton had already consolidated his fourth place but it was all to go wrong suddenly for Danny Hands who had made a flying start from the fourth row. Braking just after the crest before Quarry Hands was collected at high speed by Paul Taylor in his AHS Challenger sending both cars into the wall and out of the race.
Meanwhile, Martin Farmer was making spectacular progress through the pack from row seven and made a move on Ben Evans going into the Esses the first time around. Unfortunately the two came together and that was the end of Farmer's race.
Galpin led over the line at the end of the first lap but now with reigning Champion Sam Oliveira right on his tail and with Buxton chasing James Birch for third. Lap two saw Oliveira take the lead but with Galpin right on his gearbox as they started the third lap. Galpin passed the Sheane on the run down to Quarry to retake the lead but Oliviera immediately countered with a move at the Esses. The battle continued as they started lap four with Oliveira again leading but with Galpin's GAC stuck to his tail waiting to pounce. When the two leaders caught a backmarker at Hammerdown Galpin seized his chance with a daring move around the outside at Tower corner
His lead was to be short lived though as approaching Bobbies chicane a tell tale puff of blue smoke signalled a broken pushrod and the end of Galpin's race. Oliveira swept past and cruised home to win from James Birch ahead of Ian Buxton's GAC in third
After the race Martin Galpin said "This new GAC is very fast, no doubt about it. I feel I could have won that race but that's motor racing. I set the second fastest race lap on my second lap, before my tyres were even up to temperature. There's no doubt that this season the GAC is the chassis to have and I can't wait until Pembrey in June".
Despite his misfortune, Martin Farmer continues to lead the Championship with 70 points and Danny Hands right up there in fourth with 55
Rounds 5 and 6 of the Championship take place at Pembrey, Wales on the weekend of June 23rd and 24th
Thanks goes to John Galpin for this Report