2004 News Archive
Race Preview - Rounds 7 & 8 Castle Combe & Donington Park

By Lindsay Morle
Jun 16, 2004, 18:26

After ‘doing the double’ at Snetterton a fortnight ago, the Scuderia Ecosse team will be going all out for a repeat performance at Castle Combe this weekend. Chris Niarchos will be back in the driving seat of Car #34 which will have no extra ballast to run this weekend. Car #35, driven by Andrew Kirkaldy and Nathan Kinch, will run with the maximum load of success ballast (60kgs) after winning the last two British GT races.

Stewart Roden, Scuderia Ecosse Team Principal
“We’re going to have a busy couple of weeks with back-to-back races but we’re ready for it. We had a great pair of results at Snetterton so we want to carry the momentum forward to Castle Combe and also to Donington. The team has been flat out preparing for this event so I hope they are rewarded with the results they deserve.”


Car #35 – Ferrari 360 GTC:

Andrew Kirkaldy
“It’s been a long time since I raced at Castle Combe as it was back in 1997 in Formula Vauxhall (Andrew was runner up in the Championship that year). The circuit was very fast then but it has been changed since. I had a run on it last year in a T-Car so I know the track but haven’t driven the 360 on it. It’s still very fast though which should suit the Ferrari. It’s also pretty narrow so overtaking poses more risk than at other circuits. It’s difficult to know how we’ll do until we get there but I’m hoping we’re on a roll now and can get on the top step of the podium again this weekend.”

Nathan Kinch
“I’m in the middle of a very busy month of motorsport! I went out to Le Mans straight from Snetterton and now I have this weekend’s races at Combe followed by the FIA GT race at Donington the weekend after. I wouldn’t have it any other way though as I’m having a fantastic time. Castle Combe, although very bumpy, should suit the car well so I’m hoping Andrew and I will pick up some more silverware this time out.”


Car #34 – Ferrari 360 GT:

Tim Mullen
“The last time I raced at Castle Combe was 1997 in Formula Vauxhall. The circuit has changed a bit since then with the addition of chicanes so I’ll have to let you know what I think of it on Saturday! Although our sister car won both races at Snetterton we didn’t have such a good time…sixth on the Sunday and just missing the podium with fourth place on the Saturday. Our objective this weekend is to make sure we are back up on the podium, in both races!”

Chris Niarchos
“This is my favourite circuit and the one that I know better than all the rest. I used to do a lot of corporate days here with my clients so I think I’ve driven here more times than all the other UK circuits put together. Combe is a fast but notoriously bumpy circuit that is definitely not for the faint-hearted! There are some very fast, sweeping corners and big braking areas and ‘offs’ tend to be rather expensive! The Ferraris will love this track as fast bends and heavy braking are strong areas for us. I’m really looking forward to getting back behind the wheel this weekend.”



© Copyright 2007 by Scuderia Ecosse. All rights reserved.
www.scuderiaecosse.com