MOTORSPORT The Castle Combe Racing Club, responsible for organising race meetings at the local circuit, has added to its collection of awards after receiving a number of further accolades.

Having achieved third place in the Motor Sport Association's motor club of the year competition in 2008, the club went one better by grabbing the runner-up award.

A cheque for £500 and an impressive trophy were presented to the club's president, Howard Strawford, at the recent Autosport International show at the NEC by Allan Dean-Lewis, head of external affairs at the MSA.

With competition from more than 800 other clubs, Castle Combe was singled out for its initiatives with cadet marshals, recruitment and training of existing marshals, and its campaign to introduce more doctors to motorsport, which attracted more than 30 new medics.

Special recognition was also given to the strength of the club's three local championships, which produced full grids, despite the recession. The club's unique race starter rebate scheme, which gives cash back to regular competitors, was a strong contributing factor to the health of its entries.

For the second year running, Castle Combe also gained the club of the year award from the Association of South West Motor Clubs.

Deputy chief marshal Lee Pitts was also given a highly commended award and was runner-up in the marshal of the year competition.

The MSA described Pitts as "a credit to the sport" for his efforts in recruitment and training, as well as his continued active involvement as a marshal across a wide range of motorsport events.

The club's first meeting of the 2009 season at Castle Combe is on Easter Monday, April 5.