Castle Combe Circuit

History

The Castle Combe airfield opened in May 1941 on land of the Castle Combe estate, owned by the Gorst family, and operated as RAF Castle Combe for seven years before being decommissioned in 1948. During the war, the airfield was a training ground for pilots. From 1946 to 1948 the buildings served as a resettlement camp for Polish ex-service personnel. The property was returned to the Gorst family in 1948; with the Bristol Motorcycle & Light Car Club, they organized the first race in July 1950. By 1955 the property was divided and sold. Between 1956 and 1961, the circuit was used for motorcycle racing. Some years later, the circuit was converted to motor racing.

Castle Combe has staged several motorsport disciplines over the years. In 1997, Nigel Greensall established a lap record when his Tyrrell 022 lapped the circuit at 130.93 mi/h. However, this was the last year that the circuit would remain unaltered: an accident involving the death of a spectator led to the owners installing two new chicanes in order to slow the cars down. The new layout was slightly longer at 1.850 mi, and was completed over the winter of 1998–1999.

Formula Three returned to Castle Combe in 2001. However, in 2005, the circuit was issued with a noise nuisance order. The British Formula Three Championship and the British GT Championship were both louder than permitted, and so were prevented from returning.

Present

Races include a home-circuit championship with classes for saloon cars, sports cars and GTs, and Formula Ford. Racing clubs from around the UK include the track in the events for their championships, including the 750 Motor Club and BRSCC. Once a year, motorcycle racing takes place over two days during the summer. The weekend includes a sidecar championship and an historic race, as well as the more modern supersport races.

As well as holding trackdays for both cars and motorcycles, Castle Combe Circuit holds a large number of car shows. These shows follow a general motorsport theme and exhibit show stands, market stalls, stunt demonstrations, classic displays and on certain days the circuit is able to hold track sessions. Since 2001, Rallyday, an annual demonstration event for rally cars, has also been held. Motoring shows Top Gear and Fifth Gear have used the circuit to race or test cars on.

The Under 17 Car Club have been using the track since 1976 to host events where members of the club learn to drive from the age of 11. The club transform the track into driving circuits with roundabouts and motorway sections. The club also hold their annual Magic Day at Combe to raise money for the Teenage Cancer Trust.

The circuit hosts a Greenpower event, one round in a series held at various racetrack-type venues. When not in use for racing, the circuit is the venue for a regular car boot sale that has become one of the biggest in the South West. In May it also hosts an annual steam rally. File:Castle Combe Racing Track Layout - geograph.org.uk - 42628.jpg|Track layout File:Castle Combe wet race.jpg|Wet race in 2004

Lap records

Max Chilton held the overall unofficial track record with a lap of 0:54.559 with McMurtry Spéirling PURE VP1 in a private testing session in April 2024. As of August 2022, the fastest official race lap records at Castle Combe Circuit are listed as:

Notes

References

References

1. {{HERR
2. [http://www.750mc.co.uk/calendar.htm 750 Motor Club, race calendar 2015], Retrieved 11 October 2015
3. [http://www.brscc.co.uk/Events British Racing and Sports Car Club events 2015] Retrieved 12 October 2015
4. [http://www.greenpower.co.uk/events/ Greenpower races calendar, Castle Combe Heat 27 September 2015], Retrieved 2015-04-30
5. [https://eboots.co.uk/listing/castle-combe-car-boot/ Castle Combe Car Boot Sale] Retrieved 24 July 2023
6. (29 April 2024). "Fastest Lap Ever by Over 4 Seconds at ‘Home Circuit’: Castle Combe". McMurtry Automotive.
7. (12 June 2021). "2021 F3 Cup Race 9 - Classification".
8. (15 July 2007). "2007 Formula Palmer Audi Castle Combe (Race 2)".
9. (23 June 2002). "British GT Championship Castle Combe 2002".
10. (29 August 2022). "Castle Combe GT Championship 2022 CCRC GT Championship Race 2 - Classification".
11. (7 May 2018). "Castle Combe GT Championship Castle Combe Circuit 7th May 2018 - Castle Combe GT Championship iaw Simonstone - Race 1 - Classification".
12. "Britcar GT Championship Castle Combe 2011".
13. (26 June 2005). "British GT Championship Castle Combe 2005".
14. (6 August 2022). "TCR UK 2022 » Castle Combe Round 11 Results".
15. "NIGEL GREENSALL ANNOUNCED AS SPECIAL GUEST ON ‘COMBE CHAT’ LIVE SHOW".
16. "Castle Combe Circuit".
17. "Castle Combe – The first 60 years".
18. "1970 Castle Combe F5000 round".
19. "MN GT Castle Combe 1973".
20. "SKF GT Castle Combe 1970".
21. "Castle Combe [Special GT] 1968".
22. "BARC Castle Combe [Handicap A] 1965".
23. "SMC Castle Combe [Sports/Clubman] 1965".
24. "1953 Castle Combe F2".