MOTOR RACING: BRADFORD on Avon's Ed Moore has been crowned Castle Combe Driver of the Year for 2006.

Moore received the accolade at the circuit's annual presentation and dinner dance at the De Vere Hotel in Swindon on Saturday.

The 30-year-old race ace left five other nominees trailing in his tyretracks to lift the award for the first time.

Moore said he was overwhelmed by the reaction of the other drivers when he went to collect his trophy.

He said: "It was very nice. I think I got the biggest cheer of the night when my name was called out. A lot of people were shouting Ed Moore' even before the winners were announced.

"This award is not just for me but for the people who refused to believe I would cheat to win the Castle Combe Carnival. It's nice to be recognised for my achievements on the track in this way."

Moore was recently cleared of alegations madeby rival drivers that he had tampered with his engine to win the Carnival event.

Moore collected 14 chequered flags this summer, five at Castle Combe, en route to winning the Formula Ford Midlands South race series.