WAYNE POOLE RACING - TEAM DRIVERS

Over the years scores of drivers have raced or tested under the Wayne Poole Racing banner including professional race drivers such as Peter Dempsey, Steven Kane, Danny Watts and Oliver Jarvis at prestige events like the Walter Hayes Trophy.

Details of current and recent drivers can be found below:

Current
Wayne Poole
Pete Diccox
Des Andrews
Guy Parr
Ash Clifford
Olly Bull
Jim Morris
Darren Houldcroft
Matt Horwood
Steve Bracegirdle
Denise Bracegirdle
Don Boyack
Ray Smith
Vince Mann
Tom Margetson
Chris Bennett

Former
Josh Fisher
Felix Fisher
Matt Docherty
Steve Lowdon
Andrew Higginbotham
Matt Devenish
Andy Steele
Guy Woodward

WAYNE POOLE RACING - CURRENT DRIVERS
WAYNE POOLE
Team Principal and regular competitor, Wayne Poole from Dursley, has been competing in the Formula Ford Kent category for many years. Concentrating on his local Castle Combe circuit he has many successes including winning the polepositions.co.uk Class B Championship in 2000 in his Van Diemen RF88. In recent years the demands of team mangement have limited him to occasional outings in one of the team cars.

Wayne Poole crosses the line at Castle Combe at the end of the 2000 season*

2000 Castle Combe Class B Champion*

* Images copyright of Neil Ormston.

PETE DICCOX

Probably the oldest regular Formula Ford competitor at Castle Combe and probably in the country, Pete, from Chippenham and who turned 74 in 2010, has been a stalwart of the local FF championship for many years. In fact way back in 1997, racing a Van Diemen RF89 as he still does to-day he managed to beat a young Wayne Poole a couple of times early in the season.

Pete tests regularly and keeps in good shape. This helps him remain competitive and he is capable of running 1m 16s at Combe and even breaking into the 15s on occasion. At the end of 2010 Pete scored a Class podium position at the final round of the Combe Championship.

Pete Diccox and his Van Diemen RF89 in the paddock, March 08

DES ANDREWS

Des, from Bath, has previously raced as far back as 2004 in Clubmans with a Mallock MK 23 & MK28 with some success but has now decided to turn his hand to both Formula Ford and GT racing.

At the end of 2008 Des tested and raced a WPR Mygale SJ01 and, in a new venture for the Wayne Poole team, had his forst outing in his own Sleek sports car powered by a 2 litre Vauxhall engine.

Des had a few outings in the Sleek in 2009 but decided to switch to a Radical SR3 for 2010 which he has share, on occasion, with the BARC's Guy Woodward.

Des in his Radical SR3 at Combe in 2010

GUY PARR

Guy, from Bath, has been following a similar path to Des Andrews. Having had some success in Clubmans racing with a Mallock MK23 and a Gem Guy has also decided to give Formula Ford and GT racing a go.

At the end of 2008 Des tested and raced his Van Diemen RF00, sponsored by the Flying Pig Renovation Company, under the Wayne Poole Racing banner.

For 2010 Guy decided to switch to GTs and acquired a Nemesis 02 with a 2 litre Vauxhall engine. Appearing in 2009 in a striking shade of green Guy had some promising outings but 2010 saw the breakthrough. Enjoying the racing and now in a yellow and black colour scheme Guy toof his first class win and then his first overall win at the end of the season.

Guy's Nemesis 02 at Castle Combe

ASHLEY CLIFFORD

Ashley, 20 and formerly from Stroud Glos but more recently from Palma de Mallorca, Spain for the past 13 years, joins the WPR squad in 2009.

Ashley started Karting at the age of 12, competing successfully in various categories in the Spanish Balearic championships:

2002:Junior Yamaha Balearic championship 3 overall, 2 wins, tested at Kerpen Germany
2003:Senior Int A Balearic championship 3 overall, 2 wins
2004:School commitment. Raced in 24 hour race team. Team finished 8 out of 21 teams
2005:Senior Rotax Max championship. 1 overall, 5 wins
2006:125 gearbox kart. 2 wins
2007:125 gearbox kart and 100cc senior. 3 wins in both categories.
2008:125 gearbox kart. 1 race meeting, 1 win.

Looking for a new direction and after visiting Castle Combe for the first time in Oct 2008 Ashley decided that racing FF1600 with Wayne Poole Racing would be a great opportunity to gain further experience. After a successful first test at Llandow in January 2009 Ashley is looking forward to his first season. Ashley has continued to live in Mallorca and commute for all races.

After a promising 2009 season in a Class C Van Diemen RF88 Ahs decided to move up to Class A with the ex Josh Fisher Championship winning Mygale SJ03. Commuting from Spain and limited testing have made the adjhustment to the stiffer Class A car a real challenge but some promising lap times have shown that the potential is there.

Ashley testing at Combe, March 2009

OLIVER BULL

Oliver, from Swindon, began his racing career with the Caterham Academy series for novices in 2000. This first season went well seeing Oliver's maiden win and he then progressed though the Caterham racing ranks with the following results:

2000 Caterham Academy, 1 win
2001 Caterham Super-Graduates, 4th in Championship and 1 win
2002 Caterham Roadsport, 3rd in Championship
2003 Caterham Roadsport Eurocup, Champion with 8 wins
2004 Caterham R400 Eurocup, 4th in Championship
2005 Caterham R400 Eurocup, 5th in Championship and 3 wins
2006 Caterham CSR Eurocup, 3rd in Championship
2007 Caterham CSR Eurocup, 2nd in Championship and 5 wins
2008 Castle Combe FF, wins in Combe Class C and good showing at the WHT

After such a successful career in Caterhams Oliver is seeking a new direction in his race career. Keen to try single seaters he had a test and race in one of the WPR Class C Van Diemen RF89s at Castle Combe in May 2008. Both the test and race went as well as anyone could hope for with close to record times and a win the first time out.

Following more good showings in the WPR Van Diemen Olly has acquired a Swift SC92 which is being run by the Bull family but entered and supported by Wayne Poole Racing.

Oliver testing his Swift SC92 at a wet Combe

JIM MORRIS

Jim is the MD of Lifeline Fire & Safety Systems who are a familiar supplier of safety equipment to the motor sporting world. Based near to Silverstone, Jim has had a varied career in motor sport including racing Karts and Saloons as well as Sprinting an F3 RALT RT30 which he still owns.

After a few races with a Quest FF87 a Van Diemen RF05 was acquired and converted to run in Kent engined Club Formula Ford. In 2008 the pressures of a demanding business limited Jim to tests with WPR and a few outings at Silverstone but these were enough to indicate the potential of car and driver. 2009 saw Jim concentrating his efforts at Silverstone in the Van Diemen.

For 2010 Jim decided to sell the Van Diemen to Josh Fisher and try something different. An immaculate Lotus 23B was acquired and this has been run by the team, predominantly at Silverstone although there are plans to venture further afield.

Jim in the Van Diemen RF05 at Castle Combe

DARREN HOULDCROFT

Darren, an IT consultant from Reading, is new to circuit racing having previously raced on dirt ovals as a teenager. Returning to motorsport after a long break (due to a lack of funds), Darren was able to take in a few tests and races at Combe in 2008 with Wayne Poole Racing.

Since then Darren has driven his Van Diemen RF88, sourced for him by WPR, at Combe when time and other commitments allow and has gradually increased his pace to become a podium contender..

Darren has also been supporting the Steps Charity, a small national charity supporting children and adults affected by a lower limb condition such as clubfoot or a hip condition, through his racing.

Darren testing his Van Diemen RF88 at Combe in March 2008

MATT HORWOOD

Matt, a Sales Manager from Oxford, is returning to racing after a recent lay off following a successful career in Karts and FF1600. Having raced in Karts from the age of 14 to 21 Matt then moved to Formula Ford in 2000, winning the Super Classic Championship in 2001 (including the event at the Brands Festival) before stopping in 2002. More recently Matt took in a few Formula Mazda races in the USA including such notable tracks as Laguna Seca and Sears Point (Infineon Raceway).

Matt decided to return to British FF a couple of years ago and acquired a Zetec engined Mygale SJ01 which underwent a Kent conversion but was never quite finished. Keen to get out on the tracks once more Matt got in touch with Wayne Poole Racing and Tom Margetson got the car race ready within a few weeks.

After occasional (but promising) outings in the Mygale in 2009 and 2010 Matt decided to swap to a more comfortable (!) and manageable Class C car by doing a shared ownership deal with Tom Margetson for his Championship winning Reynard 89FF.

Matt in his Mygale SJ01 at Combe, July 2009

STEVE BRACEGIRDLE

Steve, from Chepstow, is embarking on his first season of Motorsport in 2010. Having done a few Jim Russell school days in the late seventies Steve had another go with the Castle Combe Racing school in 2009 and enjoyed the experience so much that he contacted Wayne Poole Racing with the idea of doing some testing and race hire but ended up acquiring the ex Margetson, Docherty, Bennett Van Diemen RF88.

Following his debut year in 2010 culmination in a Class win at the final Combe meeting Steve has swapped his Van Diemen RF88 for an RF89 version fitted with a new Philspeed motor for 2011.

Steve in his RF89, testing at Combe, March 2011

DENISE BRACEGIRDLE

Denise, like husband Steve from Chepstow, is embarking on her first season of Motorsport in 2011 in the Vand Diemen that Steve used in 2010. This will be the first time that a husband and wife team have competed in Formula Ford since Hugh & Mary Elliott in the 1990s.

Denise has been carrying out an extensive testing programme with the team in order to get up to speed for the start of the 2011 season.

Denise in her RF88, testing at Combe, March 2011

DON BOYACK

A new car/driver combination for 2010, both the car and driver have interesting backgrounds. Don, an IT consultant from Woking specialising in digital mapping, from Woking has had a sporadic race career involving Australian FF for 18 months in the early nineties and more recently with a 2002 Spectrum at Barbagallo Raceway in November 2009!

Don's Van Diemen RF88 is the ex John Village run car that Vincenzo Sospiri won the 1988 FF Festival with. In 1989 it was exported to Australia where it led the national FF championship for a while before being sold to Don wha ran it for a year or so before the money ran out! Working offshore, Don kept the car and shipped it back to the UK where it was stored since 1993. Recently restored by Peter Alexander and fitted with new yellow bodywork (Don still has the original blue Sospiri bodywork) it had its first run for many years at a Combe test at the end of 2010.

Don in his immaculate Van Diemen RF88 testing at Combe in 2010

RAY SMITH

A new car/driver combination for 2011 sees Ray Smith, a tax lawyer from Hampton, join the team after an earlier outing in friend, Don Boyack's car at Silverstone.

In fact Ray previously raced (and crashed!) Don's Van Diemen RF88 in Western Australia back in the late Eighties. Ray had begun in Karts and became the International Class Western Australia champion before moving on to Formula Ford. Some success followed and Ray took part in the 1988 FF support race for the Australian GP as well as taking the class lap record at Wanneroo Park in 1989. Moving back to the UK Ray did a few FF races with the Jonathan Lewis team including a memorable 7th at Oulton in a race which saw David Coulthard and Kelvin Burt finish in the top two places. In 1990 Ray dod a few Vauxhall Lotus races before calling it a day.

Now equipped with a Swift SC92 and BOLD engine, recently acquired from historic FF racer Amanda Whittaker who reportedly only used the car in three races in three years. Before that it is believed the car was run by PA Motorsport. Ray is planning to take in races which [articluarly appeal including Outlon Park and the Walter Hayes. With two Karting sons there won't be too much time to do many more events!

Ray in his Swift SC92 testing at Combe in 2011

VINCE MANN

A new driver in the WPR team for 2011, Vince Mann, from Exeter purchased one of the team's Van Diemen RF89s to finish his first season in circuit racing having previously competed in a few Castle Combe Formula Ford races in a hired Swift.

Vince, who runs 4 Honda dealerships in the South West previously did a couple of seasons racing in 125 Rotax Max at Dunkeswell and has competed in a large number of marathons. Having acquired his own car, Vince plans to concentrate on the Castle Combe series and become more familiar with Formula Ford racing.

Vince's first test at Combe, Sept 2011

TOM MARGETSON

Tom has been associated with Wayne Poole Racing for many years and ran one of the familiar Poole Van Diemen RF88s before acquiring his own Reynard FF89 which he has campaigned in the Castle Combe Championship in recent years supported by Glassimage. After a few fast but largely unsuccessful seasons Ton's luck and performances improved in 2008 and finally, in 2009, became the Class C Combe Champion. For 2010 Tom is planning to take a sabbatical to concentrate on his business.

Tom continues his association with Wayne Poole Racing by helping out back at base and at test sessions.

Tom Margetson in his Reynard FF89 at Castle Combe May 2008

CHRIS BENNETT

Although not part of the race team Chris Bennett runs a WPR sourced and maintained Van Diemen RF89 in the British Sprint Championship. Chris, from Acton Turville, has raced, sprinted and hillclimbed his Caterham 7 for a number of years and after retiring decided to try a single seater. In 2006 he acquired the ex Matt Dochery/Tom Margetson Van Diemen RF88 which was used with some success in Sprints through to the end of the 2008 season.

For 2009 the Van Diemen RF88 was swapped for one of the team's RF89s which had recently undergone a rebuild and was now fitted with new bodywork in the customary Wayne Poole blue. This car has had a very successful past having been campaigned by Matt Rivett and more recently achieving class wins in 2008 in the hands of Oliver Bull, Wayne Poole and Nick Jones.

In 2010 Chris contested both the British Sprint and Richar Egger Insurance HSA Speed championships, winning the Formula Ford class in the HSA. In another change the RF89 is being swapped for a similar RF89 recently built up from new parts and acquired by the team. With a Philspeed motor for 2011 another go at the British Sprint Championship is planned.

Chris Bennett in his Van Diemen RF89 at Goodwood, June 2010

WAYNE POOLE RACING - FORMER DRIVERS

JOSH FISHER

Although still in his twenties, Josh Fisher, from Bridgwater Somerset, already has an impressive motor racing pedigree. From Formula Zip, Josh has raced successfully in Formula BMW (third in the 2004 Championship), Formula Renault and National Class F3 with team SWR Crypton which included a win at Donington in 2005.

Josh, as well as being a fast and experienced competitor, is also a highly effective development driver and has worked with Wayne Poole Racing to assist them with the ongoing development of their Mygale SJ01s which have been converted from Zetec to Kent Ford power.

As part of the arrangement Josh has been racing in the Castle Combe FF1600 Championship and immediately made a strong impression. On his first outing at the May 28th 2007 meeting Josh took pole and was leading comfortable in wet conditions before an electrical problem put him out. Later in the season the wins began to come at Combe and Josh was a fovourite for the end of year WHT classic but was taken out while in contention.

For 2008 Josh continued in the WPR Mygale (now rebodied to SJ03 spec) and was mostly unbeatable taking the Championship comfortably. The season ended with a strong showing at the WHT meeting with a strong second place in the grand final.

More recently Josh has been running his own(ex Jim Morris) Van Diemen but is on hand to assist the team when needed.

Josh in the WPR Mygale SJ01 at Camp corner, Castle Combe

FELIX FISHER

Felix, brother of Josh, Fisher had his first Formula Ford race in a Wayne Poole Racing entered Swift SC92 at the 2007 Walter Hayes Trophy meeting at Silverstone.

Prior to this Felix had completed a season on Formula Renault, competing in the 2007 BARC series. For 2008 Felix targeted the Castle Combe Class B Championship and success was quickly forthcoming. Felix ran very competetively in Class B notching up several wins and easily took the Class Championship and second place in the overall Championship behind brother Josh. Highlights of the year included an overall win at the August Combe meeting and a fighting sixth place at the end of year WHT.

2009 proved to be another successful year with the Class B Combe Championship, plenty of wins and third on the podium at the end of year Walter Hayes Trophy meeting at Silverstone.

Felix in the family Swift SC92 at Silverstone

MATT DOCHERTY

One of the youngest drivers in the Wayne Poole squad, Matt from Magor, began in one of the team's Van Diemen RF88s putting up some encouraging times and performances. In 2006 the Van Diemen was replaced with a Mygale SJ01 similar to the one the team principal was running. The high expectations for 2006 went unfulfilled after some promising testing times gave way to a couple of mechanical problems and a shortage of funds.

Matt made it out at the Walter Hayes Trophy at the end of the 2006 season but was a little race rusty and didn't make the final. The 2007 season was restricted to a couple of outings and finished with a blown engine at a Powernight meeting at Silverstone.

Matt Docherty's Mygale SJ01 at the WHT 2006

STEVE LOWDON
Another regular with the Wayne Poole squad, Steve from Bracknell, has been racing his familiar Van Diemen RF89 in the local Combe championship for a number of years. More recently Steve's outings have been restricted to the prestigious end of season Walter Hayes Trophy meeting at Silverstone. Morte Powernights events are planned for 2008.