Claire Tippet: Smokin at Castle Combe

28 June 2005

Claire Tippet had a weekend packed full of drama as she took part in the latest rounds of the VW Racing Cup at Castle Combe (Wiltshire) at the weekend.

The weekend also saw the unveiling of a new look for Claire as she debuted a race outfit courtesy of her new sponsors Ko-Gee.co.uk. Ko-Gee, an internet lifestyle clothing and accessories company based in Ledbury, Herefordshire, have sponsored Claire's new Alpinestars racesuit, gloves and boots. As well as being eye catching the suit is an important part of Claire's safety equipment. "The new racesuit is a big improvement for me" commented Claire, "fantastic quality and a lot more comfortable than the one I'd been using previously so I am very grateful to Ko-Gee for their support. They have kindly provided some great clothes for 'off track' too so I'll be looking smart this summer!"

Behind the wheel of her Golf GTi Mk1, Claire's qualifying was hindered by a mysterious engine misfire which was particularly frustrating for her given it meant she could not recreate the times she was achieving at a test session at the circuit a few days previously, which would have seen her comfortably into the mid field. Claire qualified in 29th position to the rear of the grid so it was a case of summoning up all her determination for a race from the back!

On Sunday Claire duly delivered. The engine was declared fit to race but still the underlying problem caused a sluggish start off the line. However with every cloud having a silver lining, Claire turned this into an advantage as she witnessed the usual first corner bottle and was able to clearly pick her way through! Back with the pack some hard racing followed as she battled with VW Caddy, swapping places back and forth before finishing the race in 20th position.

Race Two saw the car's pick up off the start line slow once more but Claire was quick to get into the thick of the action. Claire found herself in a tooth and nail battle with three other racers. At one point the action was too close and Claire was knocked off the track but skilfully kept going to rejoin the battle. Keeping her cool, Claire carried on despite the fright of tyre smoke filling the cockpit as on the outside of her car the battle scars were obvious with a wheel arch about to part company with the bodywork.

More seriously, a further plume of smoke filled the cockpit signalling the demise of the gear box, forcing Claire to pull off the circuit but as she did the race was red flagged after a heavy crash elsewhere and the race was declared with Claire in 16th position

"It was a tough weekend" said Claire afterwards, "technical problems plagued me but I was still able to come away with two finishes which in the light of things was as good as we could hope for. My sponsors from Ko-Gee and Cole Easdon Consultants kindly came to see me race which was great support and we certainly provided them with some dramatic action"

Claire's next race will be at the Kent circuit of Brands Hatch on 30-31st July.

See 2005 series calendar for VW Racing Cup

Related Story 27.06.2005 - Double VW Cup Victory for Hollamby at Castle Combe