Welcome to my March Bog.

The motorsport season is fast approaching now and ties in with the end of the F1 pre-season testing. The Australian Grand Prix is only weeks away (17th March). Testing as usual was difficult to read into as the only indication of car set-up based on lap time, was tyre choice. This is indicated by the coloured band around the tyres circumference. It seemed that the usual trio of Ferrari, Mclaren and Red Bull were fast, but Mercedes also showed pace in the last few days of testing in Barcelona with both Hamilton and Rosberg.

The MotoGP is also soon to start and testing brings a more likely outcome as to outright pace. The usual protagonists of Lorenzo and Pedrosa were fast but the return of Rossi to the Yamaha showed he can still compete at the top after some poor showings on the Ducati. Newcomer Marquez, on the other factory Honda, showed he will be a podium contender. Brits Cal Crutchlow and Bradley Smith, on the Tech 3 Yamahas, showed good top 10 pace throughout the test days. The series kicks off in Qatar on April 7th.

More local to home is the sad news that Castle Combe circuit owner, Howard Strawford has passed away, aged 77. Howard saved the circuit in the 70s when he bought the circuit and developed it into the modern and successful venue that it is today.

Our awning (part sponsored by Nelson Thornes) has been delivered and looks great. The awning along with the race car, van, trailer and student clothing will give a great corporate feel at race events. As for our race team, we are testing at Castle Combe at the end of the month in the Radical and then racing on April 1st. Visit www.castlecombecircuit.co.uk for more details.