BBT Strikes Back!

Shaun Hollamby romped to twin wins in the Volkswagen Racing Cup at Castle Combe, the Golf R32 racer leading almost every inch of both races to underline the superiority of his four-wheel-drive machine.

They were sweet victories for the Kent driver, coming shortly after the news of his surprise exclusion from the results of last month's sixth round of the championship at Knockhill following post-race scrutiny. The R32 was found to be over power despite being checked before every race this year, including Knockhill, and being well within the power limits. Hollamby is appealing the decision and is confident of reversing the outcome.

After his first win of the day at Combe Shaun said: 'Those were the most important 25 minutes of the 25-years that I have been racing. I needed that win to prove a point. Once all the facts are put in front of the RAC tribunal I am sure the right decision will be made.'

Reigning champion Philip House collected third-place finishes in both Combe races; with Hollamby handed a draconian points penalty in addition to his Knockhill exclusion, it is now Beetle racer House who leads the championship overall.

Hollamby's Revo Technik and Big Boys Toys-backed Golf was in superb form right from the first moments of qualifying, and the 39-year-old looked set to claim his third pole position of the season until the closing moments of the session when North Yorkshireman House found an extra tenth to deprive him of top spot.

But it made little difference when the starting lights signalled the off for the first of the day's races, Hollamby's R32 leaping into an instant and impressive
lead. His closest pursuer was 16-year-old Dan Thackeray (Buntingford), up from fourth on the grid and going great guns in his re-engined Corrado, with the Bora of Mark Smith (Hednesford) third and House fourth.

A two-lap safety car period - brought about by the need to remove Giles Lock's smashed Caddy TDI from the main straight after it smote the barriers – gave Thackeray a chance to narrow the gap between himself and Hollamby but Shaun responded to stay ahead of the youngster. Much to Hollamby's relief, Dan's race came
to a close four laps from home with more engine problems.

Knockhill victor Joe Fulbrook (Maidenhead) quickly made up ground from seventh on the grid in his Bora to move past Smith and then House into second spot with four laps remaining. By the fall of the chequered flag he had narrowed the gap between himself and Hollamby to 1.5 seconds, but had to settle for second.

House was happy with third given that overheating problems had blunted his Beetle's pace, with Smith staying ahead of the Golf TDI of Lloyd Allard (Cheltenham) to take fourth. Martyn Culley (Basingstoke) snatched sixth from the grasp of Exeter's Rob Palmer and his Golf TDI at the final corner. Seventh was nonetheless novice Rob's best placing of the season so far.

Championship newcomer and youngest driver, 16-year-old Darelle Wilson, brought his Vento VR6 home an encouraging 18th on his debut.

There was going to be no stopping Hollamby in race two, either. He made another blinding getaway, this time from row three, to slot in behind pole position man Martyn Culley. By the time they reached the first right-hander, Quarry Corner, Shaun was through and into a lead he would never lose.

That was not for the want of trying on the part of Fulbrook, however, who dislodged Culley from second on the third lap and set about bringing down the gap
between himself and Hollamby to half a second within a further three laps. 'At that point,' said Joe, 'I decided that maybe I was driving a bit beyond my ability and maybe I should back off. My concentration was lapsing a bit and Shaun's a hard man to pass.' Hollamby was certainly relieved: 'I think he was the quicker man out there.'

Hollamby crossed the line 2.3 seconds ahead of Fulbrook, with House and Smith once again taking third and fourth respectively. Smith had relieved Culley of third spot on the 12th lap after a long battle, diving through on the inside of Camp Corner; the two made contact and Culley's Vento spun sideways, glancing the barriers, but he was able to continue to sixth behind Allard's Golf.

Craig Inskip (Northiam), whose Golf had suffered handling problems throughout qualifying and the first race, found a better balance in race two to take seventh, ahead of the cars of Wood, Marino, Lark, Dave Turner (Stonehouse) and Paul Lloyd-Roach (Laxey).

The race was brought to a premature close following a heavy accident which befell Michael McInerney, whose Beetle went off at Tower Corner and hit a tyre wall. McInerney was later taken to hospital for precautionary checks.

With four rounds remaining, the Volkswagen Racing Cup championship points table is now headed by House. Philip has a 34-point advantage over erstwhile leader Hollamby, but on the evidence of Castle Combe, Shaun's title bid is far from over…

More pictures from the Race can be viewed here