With clocks changing and the sun setting on a superb summer and autumn flurry of track action we now look forward to a somewhat less hectic winter period with plans already underway to make 2011 ever better for all our user groups.
2011 will see the 60th Anniversary of motorcycle racing with the meeting scheduled for 3rd September and we are already in discussion with several parties to mark the occasion in a way to rival that achieved in our 60th Anniversary car meeting. Avon Tyres will also be celebrating in 2011 with the 100th Anniversary of motorcycle tyre production at Melksham and as a long-term partner to the circuit we will be linking with Avon and others to add some great displays and parades to what is already a very successful formula for a one day meeting. We are also keen to find out more about motorcycle racing here during the 80’s and early 90’s. So if anyone has photos, results or race programmes from that era that we can borrow or copy for our archive, we would be delighted to hear from you.
However, whilst it is good to look forward, it is also great to pause and reflect on what has been a fabulous season. It is also timely to congratulate the three Castle Combe Champions from our 60th year.
Marcus Allen built on the speed and aggression that he showed in 2009 to put in a mature performance to deservedly take the Formula Ford Championship.
Trowbridge’s, Mark Funnell just scraped in to win the Sports & GT Championship, after being lapped literally on the finish line by race winner Andrew Shanley, he slowed and almost returned to the pits which would have registered him as a non-finisher, fortunately the quick thinking of the pit lane marshals waved him back to complete the lap and take the crown.
The Saloon Car Championship, supported by National Mobile Windscreens went down to the last round, with Nick Charles taking a popular class win and with it the championship title.
So, congratulations to our three champions, commiserations to those who came so close, but above all, thanks to all those drivers who took part. Whether you are on the podium or finishing lower down the field, the sheer effort to go racing, let alone the expense is to be applauded.
We look forward to seeing you all back in 2011.
FINAL RACE MEETING HIGHLIGHTS
There was so much to enjoy about the last race meeting. It was our first dry final meeting for three years, for once! The last Formula Ford race saw an unfortunate accident that took newly crowned champion Marcus Allen out, but nevertheless Rob Hall won from an on-form Steven Jensen and a returning Tim Reynolds, with Nathan Ward and Tom Barrow impressing.
Castle Combe Racing Club found themselves a couple of races short and organised both a Sports & GT and Saloon Open Race. In the Sports & GT race, Andrew Shanley’s, Phil Williams prepared Radical seemed to suffer an intermittent electrical fault. Probably frustrating for Andrew, but great for us spectators, as Andrew would take the lead, drop back, fight to the front again, all entertaining stuff, but in the end Guy Parr took the victory from Andrew and Castle Combe veteran Norman Lackford enjoyed his first podium visit for some time. In the Saloons, Nick Clarke took his first Class win – so well done Nick. Guy has now purchased Jason Cooper’s giant killing Fiesta and is planning to race in the Saloons as well as the Sports & GT next year.
JAZZ AT THE CIRCUIT
No, we haven’t gone into the music business, but we were delighted to welcome Honda of the UK Manufacturing here right at the beginning of October to give their new Jazz Type R, Britcar challenger its first test.
The links between the circuit and Honda of the UK Manufacturing at Swindon have grown stronger over the year, with them providing the long-term loan of a Honda Type R that is used as the Pace/Safety Car and the new Medical Car that follows the drivers on their opening lap for each race. We were pleased to accommodate their requirements to let them test the brand new car just prior to the Britcar 24 hour Race at Silverstone, where despite an amazing three engine changes. In the 24 hours they still finished, recording 316 laps.
WHAT’S IN A NAME?
Absolutely nothing to do with Castle Combe Circuit whatsoever, but a recent look at Who’s Who in Formula One showed up the fabulous coincidence that SKM the bearing company, who are one of Ferrari’s technical partners, are represented by the appropriate named Roland Spanner. This must compete with the manager of the Brands Hatch Thistle hotel for many years who was appropriately named John Carr and ex Toro Rosso F1 driver Scott Speed.
FAMOUS VISITORS
Fifth Gear were here recently recording footage for a programme to be broadcast on Friday 5th November at 7.30pm on Channel 5. Programme regulars, Jason Plato the 2010 British Touring Car Champion was on hand, along with Tiff Needell, who were joined for the day by ex-British Grand Prix winner and Benetton Formula One driver, Johnny Herbert who had raced Formula Fords here back in the 80’s and Hispania Racing’s Karun Chandhok.
CHARITIES BENEFIT
As always, we have been pleased to help a number of charities throughout the year. Chippenham’s St Nicholas School Hydrotherapy Pool has been a favourite for a couple of years, so we were delighted with a recent track day that raised £1,800 for the appeal, with the same organisers donating over £1,600 back in April, so well done them.
Monthly Car Boot Sales have generated over £9,000 to local good causes, whilst the Great Leg Race back in July helped raise almost a five figure sum for a variety of causes. In addition to this we have been pleased to work with a number of other charities in providing cycle evenings and for those in the immediate area with prizes for raffles and charity auctions.
This adds to the considerable sums raised by individual drivers who use their racing to help generate awareness and cash for their own selected causes. Well done, to all those who contribute and to those who work behind the scenes.
The Mighty Mini racers, again, did themselves and the circuit proud at the MiniWorld Action Day on Saturday, 25th September. Despite the fact that they were running a championship race at Anglesey the same weekend, around 10 of the regular championship drivers turned up to offer rides around the circuit for just £15 with all money raised being donated to charity. The generosity of the Mighty Mini racers never fails to impress. They use their own fuel, wear out their tyres and spend almost all day lapping the circuit with every penny raised being donated. Thank you Mini drivers. This year we chose Jay Ryles-Jenkins who was unfortunately paralysed recently in an accident and the money will go towards assisting him in his everyday needs.
LATEST VIDEO
Highlights of the MiniWorld Action Day can now be viewed via any of the links below.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iOGFjs91kjE
or
Don't forget you can also view this by going to our You Tube or Vimeo channel where you can also view action from most of the major events from the second half of the season.
http://www.youtube.com/user/CastleCombeCircuitUK
or
http://vimeo.com/channels/castlecombecircuit
2011 RACE DATES
For next season Castle Combe Circuit Racing Club are working hard to bring in all the usual favourite races, plus some new to Castle Combe races and some innovative ideas:
Monday, 25th April
Monday, 2nd May
Monday, 30th May
Saturday & Sunday, 18th & 19th June
Saturday & Sunday, 23rd & 24th July
Saturday & Sunday, 13th & 14th August
Monday, 29th August
Saturday, 1st October
Motorcycle meeting, Saturday 3rd September.
SEE US AT THE NEC
Once again we will have a stand at Autosports International at the NEC which runs from 13th – 16th January 2011. We will have the same stand in the same area, so come and find us on stand 7240 in the National Motorsports area in Hall 7.
We look forward to meeting as many competitors, officials, marshals and spectators as possible during the few days.
CASTLE COMBE’S MOST SUCCESSFUL CAR?
There are several cars over the year’s here that have gained an extensive pedigree. Ron Fry’s Ferrari, back in the 60’s, Bob Light’s amazing Stealth, but in terms of outright success probably nothing matches Kevin Mills Racing’s Swift SC92F which has taken an amazing six Castle Combe Formula Ford Championships.
Kevin won the title driving it himself in 1995, 1996 and 1997 with Chris Axford taking the title in 2003, before handing over the car to local driver Tim Reynolds who won in 2005. The sixth championship winner in the same car has been Marcus Allen, who took the crown with one round remaining for this year’s title.
In between winning the championships, Robin Parsons used the car to win the Formula Ford Carnival in 1998, before Chris Axford became the first driver to take both championship honours and Carnival wins in the same year in 2003 and Tim Reynolds taking the Carnival win in 2004.
Despite the car being extensively damaged at the beginning of October, Kevin is already in the process of rebuilding it, ready for yet another campaign in 2011.
CHRISTMAS IS COMING
Our Christmas advertising for the Racing School Driving Experiences has started and it is a timely reminder that if you can’t face queuing up in car parks, wandering the High Street or spending hours surfing the web, then why not consider a Castle Combe Racing School Driving Experience, a Track Day or Season Ticket for a special present for any petrol head.
Gift Vouchers and Fast Passenger Laps at the Racing School start at just £40. The Driving Experience, where you enjoy driving the Ford Fiesta Zetec S before Fast Passenger Laps in the Focus ST2 is available at £99, leading up to our top of the range course, the Lotus Driving Experience where you enjoy well over two normal race distances sharing the driving between the Fiesta, the Formula Ford SC99 Swift Cooper, the Ford Focus ST2 and the Lotus Elise at £330.
Or if you would rather be rushed round the track in a Ferrari 360 Challenge car, then for £75 you get to enjoy the ultimate White Knuckle Ride, or what about the Rally School, it’s an amazing experience, unlike any conventional driving event. At £160 it’s great value too.
Or, you can buy a Season Ticket so you enjoy up to 16 days of events at the Circuit including all our race day and four Action Days. In these price conscience days, we have frozen the price at £99, or just £50 if you are of pensionable age. If you fancy riding your motorcycle at the track you can do so under the expert guidance of our experienced team of instructors on our Rider Safety Performance Days demonstrating road safety technique at £99 or a conventional Track Day at £125. If it’s four wheels that you prefer then a Car Track Day can be booked at £170.
All the above are available to purchase via a Gift Voucher and it’s valid for 12 months leaving the recipient able to choose a date to suit themselves.
Book on-line or telephone the circuit office for more information and that personal touch.
RACING SCHOOL SPECIAL OFFER’S
We have a limited number of places on our Racing Car Experience on Monday 27th December. It will mean an early start as it’s the 08.15 session, but perhaps after two days of self indulgence, watching the Queen’s Speech, possibly yet another repeat of ‘Bridge on the River Kwai’ then it would be something to look forward to, subject to availability we have limited number of places available at £140, a saving of £35 on the normal rate.
Still for those early birds – but if you would like to drive the latest Ford Focus ST2 and Lotus Elise then we have 6 places available on Saturday 20th November at 08.15 for our Driving Experience Advanced Course. Usually priced at £225, these final few places are on offer at £199 – but as they say, when it’s gone it’s gone.
Please note that offers are strictly available to those on our mailing list, we will not be advertising this price or showing it on our website. It is available to book by telephone only on 01249 782417, is subject to availability and only applies to the 08.15 session on Monday 27th December.
RECORD AUCTION
Richard Edmonds Auctions latest classic vehicle auction at the Circuit last weekend broke all records with £58,000 paid for a 1956 Aston Martin DB2/4 and a rare Morgan changing hands for £33,000 both cars were part of a collection of cars and bikes which raised a total of over half a million pounds. The Circuit also picked up 4 race day programmes to fill a gap in our archive for a somewhat more modest fee.
Exciting plans are now underway to bring next year’s Classics and Sports Cars Action Day and Auction together, on Saturday 11th June 2011 to make a very special day. Further details will be announced shortly.
NOVEMBER DIARY DATES
Saturday, 6th Nov – Racing School
Saturday, 13th Nov – Lotus on Track
Saturday, 20th Nov – Racing School
For details please telephone 01249 782417 or go to www.castlecombecircuit.co.uk built by Racecar
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