MOTOR RACING: BRADFORD on Avon racer Ed Moore has branded rival Matt Rivett a "sore loser" after he was cleared of cheating to win the Formula Ford 1600 Carnival at Castle Combe.

Moore had his Van Diemen RF99 engine stripped by the Formula Ford scrutiny team after Rivett and 11 other drivers protested about the speed of his car.

But tests carried out last week confirmed what Moore had told colleagues all along, that his engine was entirely legal.

The 30-year-old speedster, who has 22 race wins to his name at the north Wiltshire circuit, believes his family name has been dragged through the mud.

He said: "My family has had a long history of success at Castle Combe. I'm second in the list of all-time winners there.

"If these accusations of cheating even cast a slight shadow over my achievements then it's not acceptable.

"I work very hard to be successful and I pride myself on being a good sportsman -tough but fair.

"If somebody lodges a protest I am happy to follow procedure and have my engine checked.

"But I cannot accept the harassment from Matt Rivett. At every opportunity he has tried to undermine my achievements with snide comments.

"Matt should focus on his own driving skills and not worry about me."

Moore revealed he had received messages of support this week from other drivers who refused to believe he would tamper with his engine.

He has demanded an apology from Worcester-based driver Rivett, whose parents live in Calne, but so far none has been forthcoming.

Rivett said he was "surprised" the engine check came back legal and does not regret backing the protest.

He said: "We would have liked a representative at the tests, but if the car was legal then I accept that.

"There's nothing to apologise for. The rules say that drivers have the right to protest after a race."