Now firmly established as one of the ‘must see’ events on the historic racing scene, the Castle Combe circuit’s ‘Autumn Classic’ on Saturday October 3rd is a unique blend of sport and relaxed entertainment, which adds, year on year, to the wonderful 65 year history of the Wiltshire track. Nine fabulous races, displays of important cars and a general air of nostalgia and pleasantry, make this an event which drivers, spectators and officials await in eager anticipation.If anything has been missing from previous ‘Autumn Classics’ its a saloon car race, but that has been rectified for 2015 with the running of the ‘Terry Sanger Trophy Race’ for pre-1966 ‘Touring Cars’. Organised by the Historic Sports Car Club, the 20 minute race is an open invitational event for production saloon cars from the 1950’s and 60’s. The race is titled in the memory of Combe stalwart and racing legend Terry Sanger who lived at Westwood, Bradford on Avon. Terry was a brilliant engineer and racer, who built and drove an eclectic range of machinery over his long career on both two and four wheels. Beside his escapades in saloon cars such as the Lotus and ‘Fraud’ Cortinas, as well as Falcons and Camaros, Sanger also built his own Formula 5000 single seater, the Harrier, which survived its trip into the lake at Mallory Park in 1971 and will be on display. As always with classic saloon car races, the sight of diminutive A35s, A40s and Minis sharing the track with the Jaguars and Mustangs is sure to have the crowd on its toes. Local interest comes from Andy Cross from Box in his famous ‘Bluebell’ Morris 1000.Big names are to be found throughout the entry list and few are bigger than 1988 Le Mans winner Andy Wallace in the Norman Dewis Trophy race for pre ’66 Jaguars. He will be aboard a MkII saloon after finishing 5th in a D Type last year.The ‘John Gross Memorial Trophy for Historic Aston Martins’ has some stunning cars, including the DB3S of Steve Brooks. Last year he lost out to the similar winning car of Simon Hadfield, after a spin. Adrian Beecroft has the equally gorgeous DBR1 to delight the crowd.One of the biggest fields is for the FiSCar race for 1950s sports cars. Tim and Robert Pearce from Bristol qualified 2nd in class last year with their AC Ace but failed to finish, so they are looking for a result this time with their 2 litre machine. Gloucester’s Mike Freeman has one of several Lotus Elites, whilst other desirable machines include Alfa Romeo Disco Volante, Lancia Aurelia B20 GT and Jowett Jupiter.The ‘Healey Driver International Invitation’ race is another which has become an integral part of the ‘Autumn Classic’, helped by strong West Country representation from some of the world’s fastest Healey drivers. Bristol, almost the epicentre of ‘Big Healey’ racing and revolving around the legendary John Chatham, still provides a significant part of the field. His sons, Jack and Oliver, share the 1959 Mk1 which brought them a podium last year. David Smithies from Flax Bourton will be another of the favourites, having won the first race last year and lowered his own lap record. This time he is partnered with the equally able Chris Clarkson, whilst fellow Bristolian Ted Williams shares with Richard Knight. Steve Bicknell in his 100/6, Eric Woolley in his MkIII and Mike Thorne in his lap record holding 100/4 are yet more strong Bristol competitors.This year, the usual trophies for the 6 and 4 cylinder cars are supplemented with the Donald Mitchell Healey Memorial trophy for ex-works and special bodied Sprites. Taking part in that is the newly rebuilt Lenham GT of circuit PR man, John Moon from Bath, not seen since its fiery accident at Silverstone in 2010.The Bristol Aeroplane Company Motor Sports Club founded a formula for 500cc race cars in 1945 at its base in Filton, so this year marks the 70th anniversary of what became International Formula 3. The coveted Challenge Trophy goes to the winner from a packed field of cars, many of which were ‘one offs’ in their day. Ted Williams has an outing in a Cooper Mk IX.The Historic Formula Junior UK Championship race is another for diminutive single seaters, these powered by one litre or 1100 cc engines. The variety is enormous with some beautifully prepared cars, including the lovely Lotus 20 of Painswick’s Peter Hawkey. Bristol’s Martin Sheppard wheels out his 1958 Stanguellini. At last year’s event, Westie Mitchell put his DeTomaso on pole but a bad start relegated him to 3rd.The Vintage Sports Car Club’s race for pre-war sports is always a delight and has several West Country entries, many from South Somerset. Crewkerne’s Allen Clear brings his TT Sprite and Glastonbury’s Annie Boursot her MG PA Midget. Minety’s Tim Wadsworth has his Lagonda 2 litre SML. Amusingly quick is the Frazer Nash Owlet of Patrick Blakeney-Edwards, which recently delighted crowds at the Goodwood Revival.Sunday’s events get under way with qualifying at 08-30, the first race starting at 12.55.Besides the racing, the incredible gathering of ultra-rare and interesting historic display cars and owner’s clubs are enough entertainment on their own.It’s almost 60 years to the day since the last ever Formula 1 race at Castle Combe, so a number of cars which took part in the event will be on display in the ‘Danco Dream Garage’. The legendary BRM V16, which also had its last ever race on that epic day in October 1955, takes pride of place. Scotsman Ron Flockhart piloted one of the unforgettable cars to second place in the ‘International Empire News’ meeting, bringing the cars’ six year competition life to an end. The BRM is normally housed at the National Motor Museum where it has just completed a lengthy rebuild.The complex and ground breaking V16s were raced by top drivers of the period such as Juan Manuel Fangio and Stirling Moss and in 1953 Ken Wharton won Castle Combe’s Hastings Trophy race in a Type 15 example, also setting a new lap record of 89.77 mph. Joining the BRM are such delights as the actual Cooper-Bristol driven by Bob Gerard to third place and the Cooper T51 of Ivor Bueb, which was also raced by future world champions Phil Hill and Denny Hulme. Back after delighting the crowds last year is the Maserati 250F owned by Corsham resident and Pink Floyd drummer, Nick Mason, whilst Graham Hill’s Lotus 49 from 1967 is yet another icon from a list too numerous to continue. Dundry’s Duncan Pittaway is also planning to unleash his scary 1913 aero engined ‘Monarch Special’.Being able to wander around the paddock and study the cars up close is one of the great joys of the event and unlike many other meetings, there is no extra charge for doing so. Admission prices are £20 for Adults and £15.00 for those over 65, with accompanied children under 17 admitted free. Marshals, drivers, officials and spectators are all encouraged to dress according to the period, adding to the ambience.

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