So the racing season reaches the half way point and what a fantastic June we have enjoyed racing wise with Autosport billing the Formula Ford Championship race on 4th June as one of the best races they had ever seen with Steven Jensen taking a popular win and holding off the close attention of a swarming pack of his rivals. And almost mirroring the excitement in the Formula 1 World Championship it means that so far we have 4 different winners over the 6 rounds with Roger Orgee, Nathan Ward, Ben Norton and Steven taking race wins. James Raven is heading up Class B just in front of Richard Higgins with 2 wins a piece. While David Vivian has won the 2 races he has finished.Not to be outdone in terms of excitement it is the National Mobile Windscreens Saloon Car Championship with Adam Prebble pairing what is probably the oldest car and the youngest driver combination in the championship to head up Class A, although Will di Claudio from Class B is leading the Championship and putting in some giant killer performances amongst the Class A cars with Charles Hyde-Andrews-Bird in second place in the Championship and leading Class C. Chaz Ryles leads Class D.The Vadabar Sports & GT Championship may have suffered numerically but has benefited as a spectacle with the return of the Jades and particularly lap record holder Tony Sinclair. However, it’s another member of the Prebble family, older brother Gary in his Mitsubishi who is the fly in the ointment putting in some amazing wet weather performances to head the championship in Class C by just 2 points from current champion, Simon Tilling. Simon was able to break his own Class B lap record last time out, but if he can get a good start and if the Jades return for more rounds and hard driving Andrew Shanley finds a few more brake horsepower then we could have an amazing battle at the front……. roll on the next rounds on Saturday / Sunday 21st and 22nd July.Famous VisitorsIt’s always nice to welcome ex-drivers to the circuit and particularly those that have made it to the higher echelons of motorsport. So it was an interesting chat with Mark Blundell recently when he was the guest of honour on a private mid week event. This time Mark didn’t venture onto the circuit but did tell the story of the last time was here arriving at Quarry Corner upside down in his Formula Ford after tangling with Bertrand Gachot. The two of them having to be separated later in the Paddock by an off duty Policeman. Our Racing School Chief Instructor, Alan Cooper finished 3rd in the same race.A day earlier we had been pleased to see Keith Flint, lead singer of The Prodigy here. Over the last few years Keith has become a regular visitor both driving and riding. As a keen motorcycle fan he was here with Paul Denning, boss of the Suzuki Moto GP team until their withdrawal at the end last season. It became a busy week for famous visitors, with a McLaren MP4-12C also visiting and we are hoping to see a few more examples of this car out on track later in the year.Track and race day participants may have also spotted a couple of famous faces this month. Soap fans will have recognised Emmerdale’s Kelvin Fletcher aka Andy Sugden racing his Mini and finishing on the Podium in 3rd place and music fans, Take That’s Howard Donald making a very welcome track day appearance.Bike News from Castle Combe CircuitWe are now in the middle of the Motorcycle Track Day season with plenty of visitors enjoying their Castle Combe bike riding experience. Around 250 riders went out on the circuit during the Gloucestershire Police run BikeSafe and Castle Combe Track Day at the beginning of June and a little bit of history was created on the day with the first ever lap by a ‘proper’ electric motorcycle. The home built bike caused tremendous interest and managed a couple of laps of the track before it developed a small technical fault. The owner promises to be back next year and will no doubt be encouraged with the amazing 100 mph laps at this year’s TT in the TT Zero race.More details next time, but the NG Road Racing Club are reporting good level of entries at their meetings so far this year with the ACU 250CC GP Series providing some stunning races with Chippenham’s Darrell Higgins battling for the championship lead, his local knowledge of Castle Combe should give his championship chances a great boost on 1st September.We have 2 motorcycle track days in July, both Wednesday’s as usual, 11th and 25th.Ideal for the either the experienced rider or, if you have ever been tempted then our ‘New to Track’ sessions are the answer. And, as any of our regular riders will tell you our group of instructors headed up by Rob Jones and Ian Terry are second to none and will make your visit to Castle Combe an enjoyable experience.Also – didn’t he do well!! Tommy Bridewell from Devizes our local BSB star that is, as not only is he heading for the shoot out in the British Superbike Championship on his Supersonic BMW amongst all the factory teams, but his 5th and 6th place at Knockhill must represent some of the best results for a private team in the championship’s history, so rock on Tommy. We must invite him for the 1st September.So What’s Coming Up to Enjoy in JulyAs ever during the summer months all weekends are crowded, so in date order.Saturday 7th July – RS Owners Club DayIf you are into fast Fords, then this is an event to enjoy with displays expected from just about every model in the Ford Performance range from early Escorts and Lotus Cortina’s to the amazing ‘Cossies’ through to the latest Focus RS. Full details can be found on the dedicated website at www.rscombe.com>. Track action is from 09.00 – 17.00 with admission charges at £15 per adult and under 16’s free.Sunday 8th July – Car Boot Sale number 5And what a year we are having with some £6,000 already raised for various local good causes through your generosity. This time the benefiting charity will be Castle Combe Village Hall and as always if you are looking to raise a little cash and clear out the garage and the loft at the same time then arrive and enter via the Quarry Corner gate and pay just £8.00 for a car and a little more for a van. If you are coming as a buyer to look for a few bargains or perhaps search for that special item then arrive from 09.00 and park up either in the Chippenham Road or the Camp Corner car parks. Admission is via a 50p donation which goes straight to the collecting charity.Saturday 14th July – VW & Audi Track DayAutometrix publishes the monthly Volkswagen Driver and Audi Driver magazines, and runs GTI International, but also organises track days specifically for Volkswagen and Audi drivers, as well as owners of cars from the other members of the Volkswagen Group – SEAT, Skoda and Porsche etc.As well as the fast lapping sessions there is throughout the day, a Show ’n’ Shine, lunchtime parade laps, club line-ups, trade stands and an autojumble area – making a great day out for all the family.Those wishing to book track time can book in advance at discount rates, and can choose from an all day pass (6 sessions), half-day (3 sessions) or can buy individual sessions on the day. Clubs or groups who book for 12 cars on track together can enjoy a dedicated session at extra-special discount rates. Full details are available on the event website.Spectators can see some of the fastest VWs and Audis in the UK, with admission at £10 per adult for entry and parking (children under 16 are admitted free of charge). There is also a lunchtime parade lap session where parents can drive young children around the circuit at low speed, behind the course car, the £5 pass can be purchased on the day.For more information, log on at www.autometrix.co.uk> or contact the organisers on 01525 750 500 or e-mail mail@autometrix.co.ukRace Meeting 5Saturday 21st & Sunday 22nd July – The Borg & Beck Classic 50 Race MeetingAs you would expect the meeting features a round of each of our 3 championships on both days and with the top of the championship tables so tightly packed this double header could well shape the eventual title outcomes.And why the Classic 50? Well after the Le Mans tragedy in 1955 the circuit closed to be reopened in 1962 after much work on the safety system, largely carried out by volunteers we celebrate the reopening of the track for car racing 50 years ago and what a meeting we have. Our Castle Combe Racing Club has linked with the locally based Classic Sports Car Club to provide races featuring much from the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s with the highlight for many being the Special Saloon Car Championship. Sponsored by Wendy Wools this championship was a crowd favourite and pleaser back in the 80’s with some of the most bizarre but spectacular cars seen on British circuits. At that time the series publicity was handled by Nick Hewer who of course is now famous as Lord Sugar’s adviser on the popular TV show ‘The Apprentice’. With some of the cars made famous in that period now to fragile and valuable to race in anger the organisers have nevertheless put together a stunning grid. Backing up the Special Saloons will be Jaguar XJS and XK8s, the magnificent Sevens with just about any derivative of the famous Lotus 7 and The gadgethelpline.com Classic 60’s Sports vs Saloons.Saturday racing starts at 13.00 with 8 races. And then the 10 race programme on Sunday start at 12.20, with qualifying both days starting from 08.30.Admission charges are: -Saturday £10.00, under 16’s admitted free.Sunday adults £15.00, under 16’s admitted free, Paddock Transfer £2.50.We are delighted to welcome our new sponsor, Borg & Beck to this meeting. During the 1950s Borg & Beck clutches enabled Jaguar to dominate the Le Mans 24 hour race, and from the 1960s through to the 1990s supplied the majority of F1 teams ( by the 1980s all F1 cars were using Borg & Beck clutches) winning numerous world championships, and also dominated in other branches of motor sport.“First Line is also the proud owner of the 100 year old clutch brand Borg & Beck<http://www.borgandbeck.co.uk/>, and has invested in people, product development and test equipment to maintain its leading position in the 21st century.” http://www.firstline.co.uk/about_us.phpSaturday 28th July – Bike Track DayClosing off the month will be the Focused Events run Motorcycle Track Day. This will be the largest Motorcycle Track Day ever run at the track and all track space is full. So if you are a biker, pop in, admission is free and there will be lots of bikes to see and Focused Events usually have several top line riders to instruct on the circuit, so expect some of the stars from BSB to be in attendance.Looking further ahead – Full Details Next TimeAugust will be just as busy with the highlights being RallyDay on it’s new date of Saturday 18th August, with former World Rally Champion Petter Solberg heading a list of stars and an amazing range of displays and special spectator attractions, where you can have a go on the track or visit the new Cooper Tires sponsored 4x4 and Rally Raid zone. For full details see the RallyDay website at www.rallyday.com>.August Bank Holiday Weekend – Racing School – Cycling Festival – Race MeetingWith a Racing School Driving Experience Day on the Saturday we start 3 days of fantastic attractions. Sunday 26th August we open the gates to the first ever Castle Combe Cycling Festival which will feature the Severn Bridge Sportive, Stunt Display Teams, the opportunity to ride bikes whatever your age, trade stands; special displays, the chance to ride the circuit and more.Have a look at the website at www.castlecombecyclingfestival.co.ukMonday 27th August reckoned by many to be the best meeting at Castle Combe all year, and no wonder we celebrate 60 years of Porsche racing in the UK, with races from Porsche Club GB. The fantastic Ferraris make their annual appearance and waving the British flag will be the Morgans, plus of course our own championships.Full details on the exciting August activities next time.Thanks to Pete Stowe our circuit archivist for the historic information.July Diary DatesSat 7th July – RS Owners DaySun 8th July – Car Boot SaleWed 11th July – Motorcycle Track Day*Fri 13th July – Racing School*Sat 14th July – VW & Audi Track DayFri 20th July – Car Track Day*Sat 21st & Sun 22nd July – Race MeetingWed 25th July – Motorcycle Track Day*Sat 28th July – Focused Events Motorcycle Track Day* places still availableFROM THE CASTLE COMBE CIRCUIT TEAMAs always, if you are visiting the Circuit please drive carefully, observe the local speed limits, respect our neighbours and above all arrive safely. 

 For information please contact:Racing School Bookings: DOREEN MILES, email doreen.m@castlecombecircuit.co.uk

Track Day enquiries: EMMA BURNS, email emma@castlecombecircuit.co.uk

Action Day enquiries: MARIA FISHER, email maria@castlecombecircuit.co.uk

Race Meeting Admission Tickets: DOREEN MILES, email doreen.m@castlecombecircuit.co.uk

Race Entry Information: club@castlecombecircuit.co.uk> or jol@castlecombecircuit.co.uk> or phone 01249 782417

Castle Combe Circuit, Castle Combe, Chippenham, Wiltshire SN14 7EY