MOTORACING: CLASSIC racing from the 50s, 60s and 70s is the theme for the Easter Monday meeting at the Castle Combe Circuit, with retro saloons and sports car races reliving a classic era.

Monday's meeting features four 45-minute races for the likes of the Cloth Cap Coys Trophy for pre-66 European Historic Sportscars. Bristolian Julian Bronson, one of the country's most accomplished drivers of historic and classic race cars, returns at the wheel of a 5.3 litre Chevrolet Corvette, having finished ninth in last year's endurance race at the wheel of the venerable Austin Healey 3000, DD 300.

Also driving a Corvette is fellow Bristolian racer Ted Williams, in his Stingray. The Top Hat Sir John Whitmore Trophy for pre-66 Historic Touring Cars has Minis mixing it with Mustangs in a two driver race, which saw the Ford Falcon of Leo Voyzides and Andy Bacon triumph last year, having been runners-up the year before.

The Groovy Baby Challenge for Soulful 70s Saloons is being run as a tribute to the late Gerry Marshall, one of the greatest saloon car drivers of all time. Watch out for Capris, Dolomites, 2002 BMWs, Fulvias, Alfas and even a Daimler Sovereign.

Completing the historic action is a capacity field for the Oldies but Goldies Jack Sears Trophy for pre-60 European historic touring cars and GTs. Rae Davis will be out to perform a giant killing act with his rapid yet unlikely A35, with plenty of Jaguar XKs to contend with as well as an eclectic mix, including an Austin A105, Volvo Amazon, Zodiac, Hillman Minx, Standard Vanguard, Sunbeam Rapier and a Peerless GT.

In stark contrast are the circuit's own three championships for saloons, Formula Ford 1600 and Special GTs. Saltford's Steven Jensen hit new form in the opening round of the Melton Concrete Products Formula Ford 1600 Championship, leading for a while and finishing second. The youngster is determined to win this year and the task of beating former champion Ed Moore, from Bradford on Avon, continues on Monday.

Calne's Matt Rivett had a disappointing start to his 2006 campaign, dropping back to fifth after qualifying on the front row. Veteran multiple champion Bob Higgins, from Bath, is always a contender to surprise his young opposition and will be looking to beat his sixth overall from last time.

The National Mobile Windscreens Saloon Car was a cracker last time, former champ Gary Prebble winning after the retirement of Stroud driver Keith Murray and his Audi A4 Quattro.

Tim Hanlon, from Holt, the former champion and lap record holder, will be hoping his SEAT Ibiza Cupra will be ready to go this time.

Julian Ellison, from Devizes, has his Volvo S40 T4. The savesometax.co.uk Castle Combe Special GT Championship has some real vigour this year, a number of sophisticated sports racing cars in contention.

One of the front runners is Bath's Guy Woodward, second at the last meeting in his purple Jade Trackstar, complete with 3.5 litre Nissan engine. Calne's Steve Coen is in the same class with a somewhat smaller motor in his tiny ADR. The 1.3 litre Suzuki Hayabusa engine in the back is turbocharged to give a reputed 350 bhp.

  • The action starts at 8.40am with qualifying, with racing from 12.45pm. Admission prices are £15 for adults, £7.50 for pensioners and £2.50 for paddock transfer. Accompanied children under 15 are admitted free.