Castle Combe Circuit

Castle Combe Circuit is a motor racing circuit in Wiltshire, England, approximately 20-mile (32 km) from Bristol. The circuit is based on the perimeter track of a former World War II airfield, and was opened for racing in 1950.

Castle Combe Circuit
Full Circuit with Chicanes (1998–present)
LocationCastle Combe, Wiltshire
Time zoneWET (UTC+0)
WEST (April–October, UTC+1)
Coordinates51°29′23″N 2°12′45″W
OpenedJuly 1950 (1950-07)
Major eventsFormer:
FIM EWC (1965)
Sidecar World Championship (2006)
TCR UK (2018, 2021–2022)
British GT (2001–2005)
British F3 (1951–1955, 1962, 1964–1965, 1970–1971, 1973, 2001–2005)
BOSS Formula (1997)
European F5000 (1970–1971)
Full Circuit with Chicanes (1998–present)
Length2.977 km (1.850 miles)
Turns12
Race lap record0:58.596 (Stefano Leaney, Dallara F317, 2021, F3)
Original Circuit (1950–1997)
Length2.961 km (1.840 miles)
Turns8
Race lap record0:50.590 (Nigel Greensall, Tyrrell 022, 1997, F1)

History

The Castle Combe airfield opened in May 1941 on land of the Castle Combe estate, owned by the Gorst family, and operated as RAF Castle Combe for seven years before being decommissioned in 1948. During the war, the airfield was a training ground for pilots. From 1946 to 1948 the buildings served as a resettlement camp for Polish ex-service personnel.[1] The property was returned to the Gorst family in 1948; with the Bristol Motorcycle & Light Car Club, they organized the first race in July 1950. By 1955 the property was divided and sold. Between 1956 and 1961, the circuit was used for motorcycle racing. Some years later, the circuit was converted to motor racing.[2]

British Formula Three cars in 2003

Castle Combe has staged many different motorsport disciplines over the years. In 1997, Nigel Greensall established a lap record. His Tyrrell 022 lapped the circuit at 130.93 mph (210.71 km/h). However, this was the last year that the circuit would remain unaltered. An accident involving the death of a spectator forced the owners into installing two new chicanes in order to slow the cars down. The new layout was slightly longer at 1.850 mi (2.977 km), and was completed over the winter of 1998–1999.

Formula Three returned to Castle Combe in 2001. However, in 2005, the circuit was issued with a noise nuisance order. The British Formula Three Championship and the British GT Championship were both louder than permitted, and so were prevented from returning.

Present

Races include a home-circuit championship with classes for saloon cars, sports cars and GTs, and Formula Ford. Racing clubs from around the UK include the track in the events for their championships, including the 750 Motor Club and BRSCC.[3][4] Once a year, motorcycle racing takes place over two days during the summer. The weekend includes a sidecar championship and an historic race, as well as the more modern supersport races.

As well as holding trackdays for both cars and motorcycles, Castle Combe Circuit holds a large number of car shows. These shows follow a general motorsport theme and exhibit show stands, market stalls, stunt demonstrations, classic displays and on certain days the circuit is able to hold track sessions. Since 2001, Rallyday, an annual demonstration event for rally cars, has also been held. Motoring shows Top Gear and Fifth Gear have used the circuit to race or test cars on.

The Under 17 Car Club have been using the track since 1976 to host events where members of the club learn to drive from the age of 11. The club transform the track into driving circuits with roundabouts and motorway sections. The club also hold their annual Magic Day at Combe to raise money for the Teenage Cancer Trust.

The circuit hosts a Greenpower event, one round in a series held at various racetrack-type venues.[5] When not in use for racing, the circuit is the venue for a regular car boot sale that has become one of the biggest in the South West.[6] In May it also hosts an annual steam rally.

  • Track layout
    Track layout
  • Wet race in 2004
    Wet race in 2004

Lap Records

As of August 2022, the fastest official race lap records at Castle Combe Circuit are listed as:

CategoryTimeDriverVehicleEvent
Full Circuit (with Chicanes): 2.977 km (1998–present)
Formula 30:58.596[7]Stefano LeaneyDallara F3172021 Castle Combe MSV F3 Cup round
GT1 (GTS)1:04.254[8]Steve WarnockLister Storm GT2002 Castle Combe British GT round
GT31:04.355[9]Lucky KheraLamborghini Huracán GT32022 Castle Combe GT round
Silhouette racing car1:04.959[10]Craig DolbyVolvo S60 62002018 Castle Combe GT round
LMP6751:05.021[11]Ian HewardRapier 6 SR22011 Castle Combe Britcar GT round
GT21:05.723[12]Nathan KinchFerrari 360 Modena GTC2005 Castle Combe British GT round
TCR Touring Car1:07.066[13]Chris SmileyHonda Civic Type R TCR (FK8)2022 Castle Combe TCR UK round
Original Circuit: 2.961 km (1950–1997)
Formula One0:50.590[14][15][16]Nigel GreensallTyrrell 0221997 Castle Combe BOSS Formula Series round
Formula 50000:56.600[17]Peter Gethin[lower-alpha 1]
Howden Ganley[lower-alpha 1]		McLaren M10B[lower-alpha 1]1970 Castle Combe F5000 round
Group 61:03.400[18]Jeremy LordLola T2121973 Castle Combe MN GT round
Group 71:03.800[19]Alistair CowinMcLaren M6B/121970 Castle Combe SKF GT round
Group 41:04.400[20]Ron FryFord GT401968 Castle Combe Special GT race
Group 31:10.000[21]Ron FryFerrari 250 LM1965 BARC Castle Combe Handicap race
Clubman1:15.200[22]Jeremy LordMallock U21965 Castle Combe SMC [Sports/Clubman] race
Formula Two1:16.200[23]Bob GerardCooper T231953 Joe Fry Memorial Trophy

Notes
  1. Both drivers took the same lap time independently in the same race.

References
  1. Castle Combe Airfield, retrieved 23 March 2021
  2. Castle Combe, retrieved 23 March 2021
  3. 750 Motor Club, race calendar 2015, Retrieved 11 October 2015
  4. British Racing and Sports Car Club events 2015 Retrieved 12 October 2015
  5. Greenpower races calendar, Castle Combe Heat 27 September 2015, Retrieved 2015-04-30
  6. Castle Combe Car Boot Sale Retrieved 24th July 2023
  7. "2021 F3 Cup Race 9 - Classification" (PDF). 12 June 2021. Retrieved 25 November 2022.
  8. "British GT Championship Castle Combe 2002" (PDF). 23 June 2002. Retrieved 27 November 2022.
  9. "Castle Combe GT Championship 2022 CCRC GT Championship Race 2 - Classification" (PDF). 29 August 2022. Retrieved 27 November 2022.
  10. "Castle Combe GT Championship Castle Combe Circuit 7th May 2018 - Castle Combe GT Championship iaw Simonstone - Race 1 - Classification" (PDF). 7 May 2018. Retrieved 27 November 2022.
  11. "Britcar GT Championship Castle Combe 2011". Retrieved 25 November 2022.
  12. "British GT Championship Castle Combe 2005" (PDF). 26 June 2005. Retrieved 27 November 2022.
  13. "TCR UK 2022 » Castle Combe Round 11 Results". 6 August 2022. Retrieved 25 November 2022.
  14. "NIGEL GREENSALL ANNOUNCED AS SPECIAL GUEST ON 'COMBE CHAT' LIVE SHOW". Retrieved 25 November 2022.
  15. "Castle Combe Circuit" (PDF). Retrieved 25 November 2022.
  16. "Castle Combe – The first 60 years". Retrieved 25 November 2022.
  17. "1970 Castle Combe F5000 round". Retrieved 25 November 2022.
  18. "MN GT Castle Combe 1973". Retrieved 25 November 2022.
  19. "SKF GT Castle Combe 1970". Retrieved 25 November 2022.
  20. "Castle Combe [Special GT] 1968". Retrieved 25 November 2022.
  21. "BARC Castle Combe [Handicap A] 1965". Retrieved 25 November 2022.
  22. "SMC Castle Combe [Sports/Clubman] 1965". Retrieved 25 November 2022.
  23. "1953 Castle Combe F2". Retrieved 25 November 2022.
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