Castle Combe Circuit
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| Location | Wiltshire, England |
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| Major Events | Formula Ford |
| Circuit Length | 2.977 km (1.85 mi) |
| Turns | 7 |
| Lap Record | 0:59.387 (Dan Clarke, Räikkönen Robertson Racing, 2005, British F3) |
Castle Combe Circuit is a motor racing circuit in Wiltshire, England, approximately 20 miles (32 km) from Bristol. The circuit used to be the perimeter track of a World War II airfield, and opened to racing in 1950.
[edit] History
The Castle Combe airfield opened in May 1941. The land which the airfield occupied belonged to the Castle Combe estate, which was owned by the Gorst family. The airfield functioned for seven years before being decommissioned in 1948.
Castle Combe Circuit opened in 1950, and the first meeting was staged on July 8 by the Bristol Motorcycle & Light Car Club. Over the next few years, the circuit attracted star names such as Stirling Moss, Mike Hawthorn, Roy Salvadori and John Surtees.
Castle Combe has staged many different motorsport disciplines over the years. In 1997, Nigel Greensall established a new lap record. His Tyrrell 022 lapped the circuit at 130.93mph. However, this was the last year that the circuit would remain unaltered. A tragic 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 1.85 miles, and was completed over the winter of 1998-1999.
Formula Three returned to Castle Combe in 2001. However, it would not stay long. In 2005, the circuit was issued with a noise nuisance order, which meant that the circuit had to reduce its noise level. The British Formula Three Championship, British GT Championship and British Touring Car Championship were louder than permitted, and so were prevented from returning. The local championships dedicated to Saloon Cars, GTs and Formula Ford are instead still active, with packed grids and exciting races. Once a year, the circuit hosts races of MC 750 and the Formula Ford Carnival.
One aspect of the circuit which has remained unchanged throughout the years is the large population of rabbits who live in the extensive tyre barriers around the circuit.
[edit] External links
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