Motor Sport Circuit Guide


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Castle Combe

Castle Combe Circuit opened just 18 months after Silverstone in the summer of 1950, making it one of the longest established circuits in the UK. Until 1999, the circuit followed its original layout, around the perimeter of the old air base. In that first year, a young Stirling Moss won a race and over the next few years, names like Mike Hawthorn, Colin Chapman, Les Leston, Roy Salvadori and John Surtees thrilled huge crowds.

By the 60's, several planning constraints had seen the circuit become run down and although the old Brands Hatch company, Motor Circuit Developments tried hard to develop meetings in the early 70's with Formula 5000 and other major events, planning problems prevented long term development. However in 1976, the circuit lease was obtained by the current owners and the long road to developing the circuit as a modern national racing venue began. Nigel Mansell, Ayrton Senna, and David Coulthard all won races in the 70's and 80's, and by the 90's, the circuit hosted rounds of most of the national championships.

Today, the circuit boasts modern facilities for competitors and spectators, and the resurfaced and now reshaped circuit providing what is generally recognised as providing the closest circuit racing in British motorsport.

Click here to read our exclusive interview with Circuit Owner, Howard Strawford, first published on 10th August 2009.

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Castle Combe Sporting Highlights

1950 Circuit opens. Stirling Moss wins 2.5 litre race

1952 John Surtees wins 500cc Motorcycle race

1953 Ken Wharton wins in BRM V16

1955 Last F1 race in Wiltshire. Harry Schell wins in Vanwall

1962 Mike Hailwood wins 250cc race on legendary 250cc Honda Four

1965 First 100mph lap. Chris summers in Lotus 24 Chevy

1971 Future World Champions Alan Jones & Jody Scheckter on F3 podium

1972 Barry Sheene wins 125cc race

1976 Nigel Mansell wins Formula Ford race

1982 Ayrton Senna wins Formula Ford 2000 race

1985 Damon Hill finished 6th in Formula Ford race

1989 Carl Fogarty stars in motorcycle meeting

1989 David Coulthard wins Formula Ford race

1995 First 2 day race meeting

1997 First 130mph lap establishes new outright lap record

1999 New corners increase circuit length to 1.85 miles

2000 Circuit celebrates 50th Year Anniversary

2001 F3 returns to Castle Combe Circuit after 25 years

2003 Three times F1 world champion Nelson Piquet watches his son race in F3 at the circuit

2004 First ever two day motorcycle meeting at the circuit, Castle Combe Superbike Grand National draws record crowds

2005 Handful of local residents force the local council to issue a noise nuisance order, effectively preventing the running of the British F3 & GT Championships

2006 Castle Combe launch it’s own Racing Club and run the British round of the World Superside Championship, our first ever World Championship event

2007 The circuit’s championships averaged their highest grid numbers

2008 Circuit runs its first ever 2 day classic meeting as forerunner to 2009 Classic Week

Time Zone : (GMT) Western Europe Time, London, Lisbon, Casablanca

Major Events : Dunlop Great & British Motorsport Festival

Turns : 9

Lap Record : TBA

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	Castle Combe Circuit - The First 60 years by Paul Lawrence and Peter Stowe Posted on: 15/04/2010 Castle Combe celebrates it's 60th Anniversary this year, and to commemorate the first 60 years of racing at the friendly Wiltshire circuit, Paul Lawrence and Peter Stowe have put together this excellent hardback book detailing the history, the champions, the racing and the people involved in this great British track. For 60 years, Castle Combe has... Read More >>

	MSA LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT HONOUR FOR HOWARD STRAWFORD Posted on: 11/03/2010 Howard Strawford, the man who rescued the Castle Combe circuit from closure and developed it into arguably the best venue of its kind in the UK has been honoured with a 'Lifetime Achievement' award from the Motor Sport Association. The award is one of the highest accolades in UK motorsport and is given to those the MSA consider to have made ... Read More >>

	UK Vaux-Pop First At Castle Combe Circuit Posted on: 11/02/2010 Vauxhall owners and enthusiasts will have their first UK-exclusive track and action day at Castle Combe circuit in August as part of the popular Wiltshire motorsport venue’s 60th Diamond Jubilee celebrations this season. Organisers say that the Total Vauxhall Live event on Saturday August 7 will be totally dedicated to the celebrated V... Read More >>

	New Elite Track Days Launched At Castle Combe Circuit Posted on: 22/01/2010 New high performance ‘Elite’ Track Days for experienced drivers and bikers are being planned by Castle Combe circuit in Wiltshire as part of its 60th anniversary celebrations this season. The Elite Performance days are restricted to drivers and riders aged over 25 who have full licences and who have experienced ten previous Track... Read More >>

	Sparkling New Programme For Castle Combe's Diamond Anniversary Year! Posted on: 12/01/2010 Castle Combe circuit has launched an exciting new race and events programme to celebrate its 60th anniversary, with many new features and many prices held for yet another year. New events at the popular motorsport venue near Chippenham in Wiltshire include: • A new series of races for high performance four wheel drive saloons w... Read More >>

	2010 ACTION DAY DATES ANNOUNCED Posted on: 26/11/2009 Castle Combe Circuit is pleased to announce its Action Day dates for 2010 and - after a record year in 2009 - the same successful format will be repeated. The Action Day season opens on Saturday 24 April, with the Performance Car Action Day. This opening event has sold out for the last three years, with well over 100 clubs representing almos... Read More >>

	28th November Track Day to raise funds for Macmillan Cancer Support Posted on: 13/11/2009 Ever wanted to take your own car around the Castle Combe Circuit? If yes, this could be your big moment! Ben and Katie Elliott have teamed up with Castle Combe Circuit to organise a Charity Track Day on 28th November 2009 to raise funds for Macmillan Cancer Support. Members of the public have the opportunity to drive their own car around the... Read More >>

	TIM STOCK 1944 - 2009 Posted on: 21/10/2009 Tim Stock, one of the directors of the Castle Combe Circuit Ltd, passed away on Sunday morning after a heart attack at his home in Spain. Tim, a successful competitor, had been a director of the circuit for ten years. Chairman Howard Strawford said," Tim raced at Castle Combe in the BMW County championship during the early 1980's but I ... Read More >>

	TIME TO STROKE JANSPEED’S RACING SNAKE Posted on: 21/10/2009 Supercar fans can have a special treat this Saturday (October 24) courtesy of the Janspeed-sponsored Dodge Viper. The car will be among a bevy of supercars giving rides round Castle Combe race circuit close to Junction 17 of the M4 during an event to raise money for, and awareness of, the Read More >>

	CALLING ON ALL DAREDEVILS FOR SUPERCAR SATURDAY! 24th OCTOBER Posted on: 15/10/2009 The Stroke Association is looking for daredevils to take part in a unique opportunity to race some of the finest cars around the track at Castle Combe Circuit in Wiltshire. You'll be able to meet championship-winning drivers and take a ride in your dream car around the track. Supercar Saturday takes place on the 24 October, kick... Read More >>

	Prodrive & the Army raise £6,000 for the "Help for Heroes" charity Posted on: 28/09/2009 Clash of the icons! An iconic British racing car feared on the track came face-to-face with a British tracked icon feared by the enemy. With no smooth racing track in sight to use its superior speed to escape, the Le Mans Series-winning Aston Martin L... Read More >>

	Audi International Day at Castle Combe - Saturday October 10th Posted on: 25/09/2009 Thousands of Audi owners and enthusiasts from all over the country will be descending on Castle Combe Circuit on Saturday October 10th. Organised by Audi Driver magazine, the 'Audi International' day is a major event for Audi owners and includes a wide range of activities. As well as track sessions where enthusiasts can drive their own cars... Read More >>

	HILL FOLLOWS IN FAMILY FOOTSTEPS Posted on: 23/09/2009 Formula Ford is the focus of attention at the Castle Combe Circuit's Wiltshire College backed Carnival meeting on Saturday October 3, the final meeting of the 2009 season, with a famous name following in his family's footsteps. Josh Hill, grandson of former double world champion, Graham and son of world champion, Damon, competes in the final round of t... Read More >>

	Classic Bikes Shine at Castle Combe - August 22nd Posted on: 19/08/2009 Classic motorcycle lovers have a rare opportunity to see their beloved machines in action at the Castle Combe Circuit's Fowlers Motorcycles Probike National meeting place on Saturday August 22. In a packed day of 14 races and parades, the highlight for many will be thetwo eight lappers for the 'Lansd... Read More >>

	"Strictly Sideways" At Rallyday 19th September 2009 Posted on: 17/08/2009 "Strictly Sideways" is the latest exciting attraction alongside the regular action-packed lineup at Rallyday, which takes place at Castle Combe Circuit on Saturday 19 September 2009. The all-new "Strictly Sideways" competition will showcase rally teams demonstrating their drifting and car control in front of a panel of celebrity... Read More >>

	ALISTER McRAE TO DRIVE MITSUBISHI WRC AT RALLYDAY Posted on: 14/08/2009 British Rally Champion Alister McRae will be at Rallyday 2009, which takes place on Saturday 19 September at Castle Combe Circuit. Alister, who now lives in Perth, Australia, makes a very welcome return to this country to star at the UK's premier rally car show in front of an estimated 10,000 rally fans. Alister will be driving a Mitsubishi WRC05 and the la... Read More >>

	MSCG @ Summer Racing Carnival! Posted on: 11/08/2009 Motor Sport Circuit Guide took a stand at Castle Combe last weekend at the Summner Racing Carnival, and we were blessed with the best weather of the year to enjoy the weekends' racing action. Upon arrival on Saturday, we parked up right behind the spectator banking at old Quarry corner, before moving the car to where our stand was located. With new banner a... Read More >>

	MSCG Exclusive: Interview with Howard Strawford Posted on: 10/08/2009 Chris Jenkins (CJ): Howard, thanks for meeting with us. Could you explain how you became the owner of Castle Combe circuit? Howard Strawford (HS): Well, I have to cast my mind back 41 years to 1968. I was an RAC Steward at the time and literally the day after I had moved house from Sw... Read More >>

	Works Mitsubishi Lancer EvoX And WRCar to Star At RallyDay - 19 September Posted on: 31/07/2009 MML Sports Ltd To Show Lancer EvoX And WRCar At RallyDay MML Sports Ltd has confirmed that it will be present at this year’s RallyDay, one of the year’s most important events for rally fans. Not only will the company be displaying both its Group N Mitsubishi Lancer EvoX rally car and the Mitsubishi Lancer WRC05 World Rally Car, it will ... Read More >>

	GTS AND KARTS CONTRAST AT CASTLE COMBE Posted on: 31/07/2009 A packed weekend of top class motorsport, with the contrast of Superkarts and a long distance race for the super successful Britcars, are just two of the highlights of the Castle Combe Circuit's Summer Racing Carnival weekend on 8th and 9th August. Despite their diminutive size,... Read More >>

	Summer Racing Carnival - Saturday 8th & Sunday 9th August 2009 Posted on: 22/07/2009 A weekend not to be missed! What an amazing variety of racing is on offer at the Castle Combe Summer Racing Carnival, with Britcar GT, Superkarts, Formula 3 and the National Formula Ford 1600 Championship amongst the many attractions. Read More >>

	Stig Blomqvist to drive Audi Quattro E2 at Rally Day 2009! Posted on: 16/07/2009 World Rally Champion Stig Blomqvist has confirmed his attendance for Rallyday 2009, due to take place on Saturday 19th September at Castle Combe Circuit, Wiltshire. Stig won the World Rally Championship in 1984 behind the wheel of the iconic Audi quattro and contributed to Audi winning their second world rally manufacturers championship. &... Read More >>

	Summer Racing Carnival, August 8th and 9th Posted on: 10/07/2009 A weekend not to be missed, with a long distance Britcar GT race, Superkarts, Formula 3 and the National Formula Ford 1600 Championship amongst the many attractions. Highlight of the two days will be the 90 minute Britcar GT and Production Championship race. Britcar has been one of the success stories of UK motorsport in recent years encompassing class... Read More >>

	Celebrate Mini's 50th Birthday at Castle Combe! July 18/19 2009 Posted on: 08/07/2009 MINI'S 50th BIRTHDAY PARTY AT CASTLE COMBE Britain's best loved home grown car, the Mini, is having its 50th birthday celebrated with a weekend of motorsport action in its honour at the Castle Combe Circuit's Dunlop Great and British Motorsport Festival, on July 18 and 19. Launched in August 1959 as the 'Morris Mini Minor' an... Read More >>

	Castle Combe Action Day with AJEC Racing, Saturday 5th September! Posted on: 08/07/2009 AJEC RACING POWERS SUMMER ACTION DAY AT CASTLE COMBE CIRCUIT One of the UK’s leading performance car tuning specialists Ajec Racing of Gloucester is giving a major power boost to the famous Action Days at Castle Combe Circuit in Wiltshire. Ajec, who are based at Staverton, are to sponsor the successful Summer Performance Action Day at the popular motor... Read More >>

	Dunlop Great & British Festival @ Castle Combe - 18/19 July Posted on: 06/07/2009 Dunlop Great & British Motorsport Festival - Saturday, July 18, 2009 /Sunday, July 19, 2009 A top weekend of home grown motorsport awaits, with some of the UK's best championships featuring all the latest machinery. The Dunlop Sport Maxx Production Cup, a kind of baby brother to the British Touring Car C... Read More >>

	Historics at Castle Combe Posted on: 03/06/2009 The climax of the Castle Combe Circuit's 'Classic Week' takes place over the weekend of June 13 and 14, with the Rapid Racking Classic Carnival, a two day feast of the best historic motorsport. After a week of classic events at the circuit, the weekend kicks off in grand style with the prospect of another emotive performance from one of the car/driver lege... Read More >>

	Sportscar day at Castle Combe Posted on: 14/05/2009 Sportscars are part of Britain's heritage and on Bank Holiday Monday May 25, it's time to celebrate the best of our once great industry with the British Sportscar Raceday at the Castle Combe Circuit. The MG Midget challenge brings a variety of Sprites and Midgets, the fastest modified cars phenomenally quick and capable. At their la... Read More >>

	World champion at Castle Combe Posted on: 29/04/2009 One of Great Britain's most successful current racing drivers, triple World Touring Car champion, Andy Priaulx MBE, was a surprise visitor to the Castle Combe circuit this week. Priaulx, who clinched his consecutive world titles in 2005, 2006 and 2007 driving for BMW, gave selected guests of the German marque the ride of their l... Read More >>

	Formula Ford phenomenon continues at Castle Combe Posted on: 22/04/2009 Formula Ford 1600 has been enthralling the crowds at Castle Combe since 1969 and this Bank Holiday Monday, May 4, should be no different. Castle Combe's Husqvarna Springtime Raceday is likely to see a continuation of the phenomenally close battle from a field so packed with entries, a qualification race is necessary. &nb... Read More >>

	First Action Day shifts into overdrive at Castle Combe Posted on: 20/04/2009 Bristol car owners’ clubs are helping to make the Spring Performance Car Action Day at Castle Combe circuit on April 25 the most spectacular ever seen at the popular Wiltshire motorsport venue. The first Action Day of the summer has switched into overdrive with a record 105 owners’ clubs from all over the South and West ... Read More >>

	Racecar revs up Castle Combe's sales drive Posted on: 07/04/2009 Castle Combe Circuit has harnessed the power of F1 to drive its new-look website to meet the huge growth in business over the internet from thousands of motorsport fans. The popular Wiltshire motorsport venue has continued it’s association with Racecar, the leading motorsport and specialist automotive design agency - with clients covering all discip... Read More >>