Castle Combe Circuit is a

motor racing Motorsport, motorsports or motor sport is a global term used to encompass the group of competitive sporting events which primarily involve the use of motorized vehicles. The terminology can also be used to describe forms of competition of two ...

circuit in

Wiltshire Wiltshire (; abbreviated Wilts) is a historic and ceremonial county in South West England with an area of . It is landlocked and borders the counties of Dorset to the southwest, Somerset to the west, Hampshire to the southeast, Gloucestershire ...

, England, approximately from

Bristol Bristol () is a city, ceremonial county and unitary authority in England. Situated on the River Avon, it is bordered by the ceremonial counties of Gloucestershire to the north and Somerset to the south. Bristol is the most populous city in ...

. The circuit is based on the perimeter track of a former World War II airfield, and was opened for racing in 1950.

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 Royal Air Force Castle Combe or more simply RAF Castle Combe is a former Royal Air Force satellite airfield located southeast of Castle Combe, Wiltshire, England. History The Castle Combe airfield opened in May 1941. The land which the airfi ...

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. 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. Castle Combe Circuit MMB 51 British F3

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 . 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 , and was completed over the winter of 1998–1999.

Formula Three Formula Three, also called Formula 3, abbreviated as F3, is a third-tier class of open-wheel formula racing. The various championships held in Europe, Australia, South America and Asia form an important step for many prospective Formula One driv ...

returned to Castle Combe in 2001. However, in 2005, the circuit was issued with a noise nuisance order. The

British Formula Three Championship British Formula Three Championship may refer to: *British Formula 3 International Series The British Formula Three Championship was an international motor racing series that took place primarily in the United Kingdom with a small number of ev ...

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 and GTs, and

Formula Ford Formula Ford, also known as F1600 and Formula F, is an entry-level class of single seater, open-wheel formula racing. The various championships held across the world form an important step for many prospective Formula One drivers. Formula For ...

. Racing clubs from around the UK include the track in the events for their championships, including the 750 Motor Club, and BRSCC. 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 Top Gear may refer to: * "Top gear", the highest gear available in a vehicle's manual transmission Television * ''Top Gear'' (1977 TV series), a British motoring magazine programme * ''Top Gear'' (2002 TV series), a relaunched version of the or ...

'' and ''

Fifth Gear ''Fifth Gear'' is a British motoring television magazine series on Discovery+. It is a continuation of the ''Fifth Gear'' format originally broadcast on Channel 5 from 2002 to 2011, afterwards moving to Discovery Channel in 2012, and then in ...

'' have used this circuit to race or test cars on. The circuit hosts a

Greenpower Green power or greenpower may refer to sustainable energy. The term may also refer to: * Greenpower Education Trust, a U.K. charity * GreenPower Motor Company * Green Power, a Hong Kong NGO * Green Power Forum, an English organisation * Green P ...

event, one round in a series held at various racetrack-type venues. 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.Castle Combe Carboot Sale
Retrieved 23 May 2022 In May it also hosts an annual

steam rally A steam fair or (steam rally) is a regular organised gathering of historic steam-powered vehicles and machinery, open to the public. Typical exhibits include: traction engines, steam rollers, steam wagons, and steam cars. Often, the scope is ...

. File:Castle Combe Racing Track Layout - geograph.org.uk - 42628.jpg, Track layout File:Castle Combe wet race.jpg, Wet race in 2004

Lap Records

The fastest official race lap records at Castle Combe Circuit are listed as:

Notes

References

External links

Castle Combe Circuit

Greenpower Education Trust
{{BOSS GP circuits Motorsport venues in England Sports venues in Wiltshire Circuit, Castle Combe