The 2013 Race Meetings
The Castle Combe Racing Club has been working tirelessly through the winter to bring a packed programme of races with the return of many old favourites and some new additions.
Our opening meeting on Monday 1st April sees us linking again with the BRSCC who were responsible for organising most of our race meetings for some 30 years. Although the highlight for many at the meeting will be the opening rounds of our own three championships, more of which later, crowd favourites the Mighty Minis and Super Mighty Minis will be vying for the top spot. Never the quickest, but generally providing the closest racing, the amazing Mini still delights us.
And, what of our championships? Well at the time of writing these look as healthy as ever with the saloon grids virtually full and the GT’s and Formula Fords both around three quarters full with 2 months remaining. It’s a welcome too, for our new sponsor for the Sports & GT’s, siliconhoses.com, whilst on the Saloons the now rebranded National Windscreens return for their 20th year of sponsoring a circuit championship.
Appropriate too, because it’s a 100 collective years of Castle Combe Championships, a record unlikely to ever be beaten.
We will of course keep you up to date with developments for meetings throughout the year, but other highlights include the return of Motors TV in early May, lots of Japanese cars and the 125 cc Open National Karts at the end of May, Caterhams, Fiestas and Mazdas for the June 2-day meeting with the Classic Sports Car Club returning to run a huge variety of races for the 2-day July meeting.
Saturday 3rd August sees the Brands Hatch owning Motorsport Vision Company bringing Monopostos, the Mini Challenge and much else, whilst our August Bank Holiday meeting sees the traditional return of Ferrari and Porsche. Saturday 5th October sees our Grand Finals Race Day and the Castle Combe Formula Ford 1600 Carnival and Sunday 6th October the Autumn Classic returns. After, such a promising start in 2012 the excitement of Formula Junior Single Seaters appearing will add to its appeal.
And, of course not forgetting our bike meeting which moves to the 8th June – see more information under Bike News.
So, it’s a packed, exciting and action-packed season to look forward to.
Your first Date!
Just a few weeks before the circuit “fires up” for the 2013 season, so when does it all start?
First Test Day
Thursday 21st March
Come in – it’s free and see how the drivers perform.
Race Meeting 1
Monday 1st April
The Easter Monday traditional season opener.
First Motorcycle Track Day
Friday 12th April
First Friday Castle Combe Bike Track Day – ever.
First Car Track Day
Friday 19th April
Blow away the cobwebs.
First Action Day
Saturday 27th April
Spring Performance Action Day
Does what the title says, it’s Spring and its for Performance Cars.
Season Passes, prices held
Great news for our regular visitors is that we have again held the prices of our Season Passes.
At £95 for an Adult they make great value. As well as our 10 race meetings they include free admission to our 4 Action Days, so you can enjoy 16 days out, a total of almost 120 races if you include the Motorcycle Meeting, that’s value that would be hard to beat – so why not apply now!
Collective 100 years of Castle Combe Championships
When Howard and Pat Strawford bought the Circuit in the 70’s one of their key strategies was to establish the local championships. This started with the Formula Ford 1600’s which still today generally provide the closest racing of the day. A few years later they followed with the Sports & GT Championship which started life as the Special Saloons and then in the mid 90’s added the Saloon Car Championship to the portfolio.
For 860 championship races later we look forward to the collective 100 years of Castle Combe Championships. This equates to about half a million racing miles over a racing distance approaching 10,000 laps.
Back at the beginning, Bryan Sharp took the first Formula Ford Championship, John Routley the first Special Saloon Championship before, in 1992 it became the Special GT’s when Brian Cutting won in his Sunbeam Stilleto. Keith Macaskill who used to make the long journey from Scotland to each meeting took the first Saloon Car Series in 1995, before it became a full blown championship the following year. An amazing success story and probably unlikely to happen at any other circuit. And, of course the championships are still as good now as they ever were.
Bike News
With track days the NG Road Racing Club organised meeting on a new date we are looking forward to our motorcycling “Super Spring”. We start with the National BikeSafe and Castle Combe Track Day on Saturday 20thApril. With displays from most of the major motorcycle manufacturers and accessory providers there’s a lot to see. Add in a stunt Trial display from the amazing Steve Colley, and expected demonstration by some BSB riders and the chance, providing you book in advance to get some riding tips from the Police on the road before you take to the circuit it’s a great day. And, even better entry is free.
Just a couple of weeks later in conjunction with Somerset Road Safety Partnership we are running our Rider Performance Safety Day on Wednesday 8th May where we teach safer riding skills in a completely different way. And then, just a month later, on Saturday 8th June we are running our Motorcycle Race Meeting.
We are launching the motorcycling season officially at the Classic Motorcycle Show at Shepton Mallet over the weekend of February 16th and 17th so if you are there do please come along and say hello, we are on Stand 13 in the Showering Pavilion.
HMV Back
Not the shop chain just rescued from administration but “His Motorcycling Voice” – Andy Blackman. Andy’s agreed to return to do the finish line commentaries at our motorcycle race meeting and also act as the commentator on the National BikeSafe Day on 20th April 2013. There can be few people more knowledgeable on motorcycling and motorcycle racing than Andy and we are delighted to have coaxed him out of retirement, admittedly for just a limited return.
Major New Show
The Saturday track and show events have a major addition. Joining Rallyday, Japfest, the RS Owner’s Club day, Audi International and others including of course our own very successful 4 Action Days is the French Car Show. Established over the last few years and in the past based at circuits in the Midlands, this major new event to our calendar will be running over the weekend of 27th and 28th July. Full details at www.frenchcarshow.co.uk.
Richard Edmonds Auction season kicks off in March
Now well established at Castle Combe Circuit, Richard Edmonds Auction are back in 2013 with their first auction over the weekend of the 1st and 2nd March. With star lots already including a 1925 Rolls Royce, a 1952 Bentley and a Rover Speed Pilot from 1934 and a 1932 Wolseley March bodied Hornet Special. These 4 cars are expected to attract bids of around £200,000. For more details please log on to their website at www.richardedmondsauctions.com or call them on 01249 444544.
March 1st – will cover the automobilia lots
March 2nd – cars and motorcycles
Admission is by catalogue, available on the day
Tavern Upgrade
Mandy and David Salt took over the running of The Tavern last year and now, with the winter shut down period have invested heavily in improving The Tavern for the benefit of all our visitors. With a new colour scheme, new furniture and a complete revamp of the kitchens and a very smart outdoor decking area the appearance now matches the quality of the catering. And, with all meat products sourced locally there is no truth in the rumour that a Tavern burger gives you extra horsepower!
Racing School Valentines Day Offer
Just in case you are thinking of treating someone for Valentines Day with a gift to remember then we are offering an extra special deal on the Racing School Single Seater Course. Normally priced at £175 we are knocking £29 off (from adding up 14/2/13). You can either book a date or buy a voucher at this special price which will be valid up until 28th February 2013 for telephone bookings only. Please telephone the Circuit Office on 01249 782417 and we can process your order quickly and personally.
The Single Seater Experience is just one of a number of driving experience opportunities you can enjoy at Castle Combe from our Startline scheme where we can get drivers as young as 12 years old behind the wheel through to driving courses on the circuit for those with a licence from just £99.
2013 Dates and Events all now finalised
You will find information on all the huge variety of events that take place at Castle Combe Circuit on our website at www.castlecombecircuit.co.uk or if you would like information sent to you then do please contact us and we can post you out a copy of our 2013 Mini Guide.
