As sizzling April draws to a close Castle Combe looks back on a truly memorable start to the season’s activities.
The opening Action Day turned out to be a huge success with over 100 clubs displaying some 1500 performance cars, a super crowd, drifting displays, some great track action and all run under clear blue skies. We hope everyone will be back, together with the weather, for the Summer Performance day on Saturday 10th September to do it all over again.
Then it was the second Car Boot Sale and again encouraged by the good weather and with the traditional spring clean, the crowds flocked along on 17th April selling or searching for bargains and at the same time raising money for Chippenham Rotary Club. So far the two Car Boot Sales have raised over £2,500 so we thank everybody for their continued generosity.
And then it was our first race meeting, with Easter so late it has been a long time coming, but the weather was superb and the majority of races close fought and closely contended and for those who stayed onto the very end a fabulous Open Sports & GT race backed by Charles Saunders Food Services which saw the lead in doubt until the last lap.
It all bodes well for an exciting year and with barely time to draw breath we look forward to our second race meeting on Monday 2nd May.
So what’s on in May?
The answer is lots, with something to appeal to just about every taste.
Motors Live TV Race Day – Monday 2nd May
Almost 50 years to the day since our last live televised meeting, we open up the circuit to the cameras of Motors TV. With a varied race programme including of course our own championships with two rounds each, the very popular Mighty Mini and Super Mighty Minis, the Kumho BMW Championship, plus various open races to complete the exciting programme.
Whilst there is action a plenty on the track it will also be hectic behind the scenes with the racing recorded using wireless camera technology, beamed straight from 6 camera points around the circuit to a production truck parked by race control, relayed again to Paris where it is voiced over by several commentators for live showing in 39 countries. Spectator interest will be further enhanced with the positioning of 2 giant TV screens, one on the infield at Camp Corner and one at Quarry. The coverage from the camera points around the circuit will be feed direct into these screens so spectators can follow the racing all around the circuit. Racing will get underway at 13.00 with qualifying at its usual start time of 08.40. Admission charges on the day are £15.00 per adult with concessions at £7.50 off and accompanied under 16’s free. Paddock admission is an additional £2.50.
Japfest – Saturday 14th May
Probably the biggest event at the circuit all year, Japfest is a huge gathering, as the name suggests of Japanese performance cars. Organised by Future Publishing the events attracts all the razzamatazz you would expect from one of the country’s leading motoring publishers with a great variety of trade stands, pit babes, amazing cars and huge numbers of spectators.
The gates open from 07.30 with action on the circuit from 09.00 to 17.00.
For advance tickets please go to www.japfest.co.uk
Public Entry tickets on the day, £20 per Adult, with accompanied under 14’s free.
Castle Combe Steam Rally – 21st / 22nd May
Just one week separates the Steam Rally from Japfest but what a contrast as the gates open to our slowest event of the year. The annual Castle Combe Steam Rally has raised thousands for the Wiltshire Air Ambulance and visitors of all ages will find plenty to look at and plenty to do ranging from displays of classic cars and motorcycles, stationary engines, continuous displays in the show arena, fun fairs, trade stands and of course the steam traction engines themselves.
The show opens from 10am on both days with admission charges just Adults £6, OAP’s £5 and accompanied under 14’s admitted free.
For full details please log on to www.castlecombesteamrally.co.uk
Race Meeting 3 - Monday 30th May, First Line Japanese Race Day
Continuing the Japanese theme from Japfest we have our first ever Japanese themed race day featuring the Mazda MX5 Mark 1’s and Mark 3’s, Toyota MR2’s, the Nippon Challenge plus of course our own championships for Saloons, Formula Ford 1600s and Sports & GT’s.
Qualifying gets underway at 08.40, with racing from 12.30 and further last minute details are available via our website.
Admission charges are Adults £15, OAPs £7.50 and accompanied under 16’s are admitted free. Admission to the paddock is an additional £2.50.
St Nicholas School Hydrotherapy Pool Appeal
Over the last few years many events at Castle Combe have raised money for this great cause. Prompted by the efforts of the mechanics of Interceptor Racing who rode a lap at Silverstone, cycled from Silverstone to finish their epic ride with a lap of the circuit visitors to the track have raised many thousands of pounds and we are delighted that the pool is now completed and the target of £750,000 met.
To all those who have contributed through visiting our Car Boot Sales, driven on Christopher Darwin’s excellent track days or attended our classic events we say a big thank you, your generosity has helped the youngsters at St Nicholas School to benefit.
History Man returns with a Win
Spectators who held on to the end of Easter Monday’s race day saw a great battle between Guy Parr, Des Andrews and Nigel Mustill. Nigel ended up scoring a narrow win in his mighty 7 litre Aquilla GR1. Back in 1989, Nigel created history when, along with George Douglas they became our only joint championship winners tying for points in the Special GT Championship. Nigel then went one better in 1990 when he won the Championship outright, so over 20 years later it was good to see him back on the top step of the podium.
250 Rounds and Not Out
And on the subject of our Sports & GT Championship the first round on Monday 2nd May will be the 250th races since it all started back as the Special Saloon Championship in 1975.
Track Days, Racing School Days and Car Boot Sales
In a crowded May, don’t forget too that we have motorcycle track days on Wednesday 4th and 18th May with currently a few places remaining, a car track day on Thursday 5th and Wednesday 25th May, our third Car Boot Sale on Sunday 15th May and the popular Club Lotus Track Day on 28th May.
And June is just as busy – more details next time.
Famous Visitors
Just a few of the names that have used the circuit in the last few weeks include Jenny Tinmouth aiming to be the first women to compete in British Superbikes who attended a motorcycle track day, Jason Plato and Tiff Needell filming for Fifth Gear just before Jason had the huge crash at Donnington and Kia back with the Top Gear C’eeds finalising their testing programme for what we understand will be the most famous name ever to have appeared in the car to be filmed for ‘star in a reasonably priced car’.
Whatever your reasons for visiting Castle Combe Circuit we can promise you a warm welcome and look forward to your arrival.
Air Ambulance Appeal For Karters
If you would like to enter a 2 hour Endurance Karting event at Drive-Tech’s karting centre, Castle Combe Circuit in aid of the Wiltshire Air Ambulance and organised by the next mayor of Westbury, David Windess please contact David to enter. The date is Sunday, 22nd May at 9.30am and the cost will be £40 as an individual or £300 inc VAT for a team of 8 drivers. For more information or to book your space call David on 07875 230977 or email either davidwindess@btinternet.com or westburytc@btconnect.com. No previous karting experience necessary and all equipment supplied.
Please try and support this excellent charity.
May’s Diary
MONDAY 2ND MAY - RACE MEETING
Wednesday 4th May - Motorcycle Track Day
Thursday 5th May - Car Track Day
Saturday 7th May - Racing School
Saturday 14th May - Japfest
Sunday 15th May - Car Boot Sale
Wednesday 18th May - Motorcycle Track Day
Sat 21st/Sun 22nd May - Steam Rally
Wednesday 25th May - Car Track Day
Saturday 28th May - Club Lotus Track Day
MONDAY 30TH MAY - RACE MEETING
www.castlecombecircuit.co.uk built by Racecar
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 phone 01249 782417
