LIKE FATHER, LIKE SON
There was an abundant supply of father-and-son pairings at Castle Combe’s Formula Ford celebrations, as no fewer than three championship-winning families were represented.
The attendees included Roger Orgee Sr and Jr, the former the 1974 champion while Junior bagged titles in 2015 and 2016. Reigning champion Luke Cooper, whose uncle Martin took the 1984 crown, was there, as was Luke’s father and Swift Cooper team boss Alan, who also raced at Combe in period.
They were joined by triple champion Bob Higgins, who claimed the 1981-83 and 1992 crowns, alongside his noteworthy mechanic – son Adam – who claimed the championships in 2013 and 2014.
Bob Higgins wasn’t there merely for the celebrations, though, because he was taking part in the opening round ahead of a full campaign in his new Firman 17, undeterred as he approaches his
70th birthday.
“Racing against the youngsters, I find when
I get out they go, ‘Cor he’s old,’” Bob laughs. “I last raced a Formula Ford three years ago at the Walter Hayes Trophy.
“I’ve not done a whole championship for many years. I bought a new car and thought, ‘OK I’m 70 years old next month, I’m going to have a go.’
“These new cars are a bit more technical, you’ve got to slow down to go faster. I’m more old-style, 1989-90 stuff, which is you throw it in and sort it out when you’re in there, but not with these new ones. You have to be precise. My son has been teaching me how to drive one.”
“I’m quite happy to run him and race when he’s not,” says Adam, who has also recently competed in the Ginetta GT4 Supercup. “It means a lot to me,
Castle Combe, and I live in Chippenham so it’s only four miles down the road. Dad taught me everything that he knew, and I’ve learnt a lot of other things along the way as well.”
The effort is a family affair in another way, since North Yorkshire resident Bob combines Combe visits with spending time with his south-west-based grandchildren.
Yet Bob isn’t participating frivolously and old habits die hard. “I don’t know how I’m going to get on – if I’m in the top 10 it’s a bonus, but I want to win,” he says.
“I have this inbuilt thing that if there’s a gap I’m in it; if it’s an accident so be it.”
Higgins Sr managed to finish 16th and 10th across the weekend’s races in the 24-car field.