Fareham 's James Wren took another step closer to the frontrunners in the Castle Combe Formula Ford 1600 Championship in the final rounds of the toughest regional motor racing series in England . After a top ten finish in the last round at Castle Combe, Wren was keen to continue his good form and push for another top ten position.

After a troubled qualifying session Wren found himself in 29th position and seemly unable to explain the drop off in form.

"The session did not go well, it wasn't that I was having any specific trouble. It just didn't come together. At the moment I just can't explain it, the car felt good everything was working well. It just doesn't make any sense. I have not qualified so low since my novice year. "

With the Castle Combe series being the most competitive, James was going to find it hard to make progress in race one. However he was able to take some comfort that he traditionally raced better than he qualified, with the starting positions for race two being decided by the finishing positions from race one Wren could use his experience to move forward through the course of the two races.

Race one started well for Wren. "A few people got together at the first corner, it was pretty tight, but I think we made the most out of it. For the rest of the lap people seemed to be settling in and so I was able to make up several further places" He enthused.

Wren came round at the end of lap one in a very respectable 18th position, only to be greeted by the red flag. The accident at the first corner was serious enough for the race to be stopped.

With the race about to restart the sunny summer skies had turned grey, and with all the drivers and cars expecting a dry race, all had dry car setups. Wren was again demoted to 29th place on the grid as not enough laps had been completed for the first part of the race to count.

The restart again saw Wren off to an excellent start and making up places, mother nature it seemed had a surprise for everybody. Only a few laps into the race the heavens opened as only they can in the west of England . This change in conditions saw many drivers in trouble, and most had to slow down, however Wren saw an opportunity and took it. He was soon moving through the order a few cars per lap. Wren was able to cross the line in a respectable 17th position.

"That one really worked out well for us, the sudden change in weather often catches people out, that's when they get cautions and that's a great time to push and make up places. People see rain on their visor, but the track can actually be quite dry. In fact the back of the circuit was very wet, however Avon Rise and Quarry were almost completely dry. Most people did not notice that for a few laps, so out braking people into Quarry was far too easy."

This would give Wren a reasonable starting position for race two, something the whole team were pleased about.

However race two was not to turn out as expected. With the track now dry the shortcomings in Wren's Dalmeny Racing team's preparation were showing through. Wren simply did not have the dry weather pace to move forward and would finish the race in 18 th position.

"I really did not have the pace today." said Wren. "It's clear to us now where the problem lies, were just not testing enough. It's been nearly two months since I last sat in the car. It's just too long to be out of that frame of mind."

It was clear to see that Wren had suffered with a lack of testing and long breaks between races in 2004.

"For the 2005 season we are going to change the way we go about racing, there have been a few things holding us back this year, next year we intend to move forward. We will have a full testing programme and we will compete in every race."

Wren's no compromise style and determination to succeed means it will only be a matter of time before he and his Dalmeny Racing team are able to step up on the podium, a position richly deserved.