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Castle Combe Circuit
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<h2 id="history">History</h2> <p>The Castle Combe airfield opened in May 1941 on land of the Castle Combe estate, owned by the Gorst family, and operated as <a href="/facts/RAF_Castle_Combe/NBK4EnHU">RAF Castle Combe</a> 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.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:1" href="#fn:1"><sup>1</sup></a> 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.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:2" href="#fn:2"><sup>2</sup></a> </p> <p>Castle Combe has staged many different motorsport disciplines over the years. In 1997, Nigel Greensall established a lap record. His <a href="/facts/Tyrrell_Racing/6l89Iltk">Tyrrell</a> 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. </p><p><a href="/facts/Formula_Three/dbITFbAn">Formula Three</a> returned to Castle Combe in 2001. However, in 2005, the circuit was issued with a noise nuisance order. The <a href="/facts/British_Formula_3_International_Series/1wl5ANW2">British Formula Three Championship</a> and the British GT Championship were both louder than permitted, and so were prevented from returning. </p> <h2 id="present">Present</h2> <p>Races include a home-circuit championship with classes for saloon cars, sports cars and GTs, and <a href="/facts/Formula_Ford/Y5Gx5u1f">Formula Ford</a>. Racing clubs from around the UK include the track in the events for their championships, including the 750 Motor Club and <a href="/facts/BRSCC/EVBYpDqk">BRSCC</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:3" href="#fn:3"><sup>3</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:4" href="#fn:4"><sup>4</sup></a> 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. </p><p>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, <a href="/facts/Rallyday/L3BquEK2">Rallyday</a>, an annual demonstration event for rally cars, has also been held. Motoring shows <i><a href="/facts/Top_Gear_(2002_TV_series)/5dntwH3q">Top Gear</a></i> and <i><a href="/facts/Fifth_Gear/dFaGDRpD">Fifth Gear</a></i> have used the circuit to race or test cars on. </p><p>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. </p><p>The circuit hosts a <a href="/facts/Greenpower_Education_Trust/4FmchdRs">Greenpower</a> event, one round in a series held at various racetrack-type venues.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:5" href="#fn:5"><sup>5</sup></a> When not in use for racing, the circuit is the venue for a regular <a href="/facts/Car_boot_sale/JqhddA8N">car boot sale</a> that has become one of the biggest in the South West.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:6" href="#fn:6"><sup>6</sup></a> In May it also hosts an annual <a href="/facts/Steam_rally/qF99fxFL">steam rally</a>. </p> <h2 id="lap-records">Lap Records</h2> <p><a href="/facts/Max_Chilton/1rM35MTG">Max Chilton</a> held the overall unofficial track record with a lap of 0:54.559 with <a href="/facts/McMurtry_Sp%C3%A9irling/KMWPR80H">McMurtry Spéirling PURE VP1</a> in a private testing session in April 2024.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:7" href="#fn:7"><sup>7</sup></a> As of August 2022, the fastest official race lap records at Castle Combe Circuit are listed as: </p> <table><tbody><tr><th>Category</th><th>Time</th><th>Driver</th><th>Vehicle</th><th>Event</th></tr><tr><th colspan="5">Full Circuit (with Chicanes): 2.977 km (1998–present)</th></tr><tr><td><a href="/facts/Formula_Three/dbITFbAn">Formula Three</a></td><td>0:58.596<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:8" href="#fn:8"><sup>8</sup></a></td><td>Stefano Leaney</td><td><a href="/facts/Dallara_F317/zYqL24Sk">Dallara F317</a></td><td><a href="/facts/MotorSport_Vision_Formula_Three_Cup/8uCtX5dA">2021 Castle Combe MSV F3 Cup round</a></td></tr><tr><td><a href="/facts/Formula_Palmer_Audi/yP1WynDb">Formula Palmer Audi</a></td><td>1:03.747<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:9" href="#fn:9"><sup>9</sup></a></td><td><a href="/facts/Jason_Moore_(racing_driver)/qsuFmojB">Jason Moore</a></td><td><a href="/facts/Formula_Palmer_Audi/yP1WynDb">Formula Palmer Audi car</a></td><td><a href="/facts/2007_Formula_Palmer_Audi_season/aRraDG8l">2007 Castle Combe Formula Palmer Audi round</a></td></tr><tr><td><a href="/facts/Group_GT1/8YI3NasK">GT1 (GTS)</a></td><td>1:04.254<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:10" href="#fn:10"><sup>10</sup></a></td><td><a href="/facts/Steve_Warnock/va7AktAB">Steve Warnock</a></td><td><a href="/facts/Lister_Storm/CCzFszc9">Lister Storm GT</a></td><td>2002 Castle Combe British GT round</td></tr><tr><td><a href="/facts/Group_GT3/250QJg7g">GT3</a></td><td>1:04.355<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:11" href="#fn:11"><sup>11</sup></a></td><td>Lucky Khera</td><td><a href="/facts/Lamborghini_Hurac%C3%A1n_GT3/eUypHLIy">Lamborghini Huracán GT3</a></td><td>2022 Castle Combe GT round</td></tr><tr><td><a href="/facts/Silhouette_racing_car/tLydJN9U">Silhouette racing car</a></td><td>1:04.959<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:12" href="#fn:12"><sup>12</sup></a></td><td><a href="/facts/Craig_Dolby/d5fxgHXk">Craig Dolby</a></td><td><a href="/facts/Volvo_S60/0RWL5jvQ">Volvo S60 6200</a></td><td>2018 Castle Combe GT round</td></tr><tr><td><a href="/facts/Le_Mans_Prototype/emM3rrL6">LMP675</a></td><td>1:05.021<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:13" href="#fn:13"><sup>13</sup></a></td><td><a href="/facts/Ian_Heward/uM5MMJeY">Ian Heward</a></td><td><a href="/facts/Rapier_6/X9lTkPLV">Rapier 6 SR2</a></td><td>2011 Castle Combe Britcar GT round</td></tr><tr><td><a href="/facts/LM_GTE/bDjGIGVM">GT2</a></td><td>1:05.723<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:14" href="#fn:14"><sup>14</sup></a></td><td>Nathan Kinch [fr]</td><td><a href="/facts/Ferrari_360/RIpFB0VD">Ferrari 360 Modena GTC</a></td><td>2005 Castle Combe British GT round</td></tr><tr><td><a href="/facts/TCR_Touring_Car/Qk6fu1Mf">TCR Touring Car</a></td><td>1:07.066<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:15" href="#fn:15"><sup>15</sup></a></td><td><a href="/facts/Chris_Smiley/poF0XP7T">Chris Smiley</a></td><td><a href="/facts/Honda_Civic_Type_R_TCR/wWk3pFeA">Honda Civic Type R TCR (FK8)</a></td><td><a href="/facts/2022_TCR_UK_Touring_Car_Championship/j6nEjmwq">2022 Castle Combe TCR UK round</a></td></tr><tr><th colspan="5">Original Circuit: 2.961 km (1950–1997)</th></tr><tr><td><a href="/facts/Formula_One/BwdePyWY">Formula One</a></td><td>0:50.590<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:16" href="#fn:16"><sup>16</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:17" href="#fn:17"><sup>17</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:18" href="#fn:18"><sup>18</sup></a></td><td>Nigel Greensall</td><td><a href="/facts/Tyrrell_022/4YNtDW1H">Tyrrell 022</a></td><td><a href="/facts/BOSS_GP/1sbhJXok">1997 Castle Combe BOSS Formula Series round</a></td></tr><tr><td><a href="/facts/Formula_5000/SEkmK6SY">Formula 5000</a></td><td>0:56.600<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:19" href="#fn:19"><sup>19</sup></a></td><td><a href="/facts/Peter_Gethin/HmMsx5Tn">Peter Gethin</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:20" href="#fn:20"><sup>20</sup></a><a href="/facts/Howden_Ganley/GSca4tqt">Howden Ganley</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:21" href="#fn:21"><sup>21</sup></a></td><td><a href="/facts/McLaren_M10B/yLYrH3BT">McLaren M10B</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:22" href="#fn:22"><sup>22</sup></a></td><td><a href="/facts/1970_Guards_European_Formula_5000_Championship/jEFYAfeM">1970 Castle Combe F5000 round</a></td></tr><tr><td><a href="/facts/Group_6_(racing)/xo87ggJj">Group 6</a></td><td>1:03.400<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:23" href="#fn:23"><sup>23</sup></a></td><td>Jeremy Lord</td><td><a href="/facts/Lola_T212/YYoh9IL0">Lola T212</a></td><td>1973 Castle Combe MN GT round</td></tr><tr><td><a href="/facts/Group_7_(racing)/nHSDopWe">Group 7</a></td><td>1:03.800<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:24" href="#fn:24"><sup>24</sup></a></td><td>Alistair Cowin</td><td><a href="/facts/McLaren_M6A/s49hXHLI">McLaren M6B/12</a></td><td>1970 Castle Combe SKF GT round</td></tr><tr><td><a href="/facts/Group_4_(racing)/bHHvohNm">Group 4</a></td><td>1:04.400<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:25" href="#fn:25"><sup>25</sup></a></td><td>Ron Fry</td><td><a href="/facts/Ford_GT40/dgCQNULM">Ford GT40</a></td><td>1968 Castle Combe Special GT race</td></tr><tr><td><a href="/facts/Group_3_(racing)/EzdjT01T">Group 3</a></td><td>1:10.000<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:26" href="#fn:26"><sup>26</sup></a></td><td>Ron Fry</td><td><a href="/facts/Ferrari_250_LM/4jCI0k5y">Ferrari 250 LM</a></td><td>1965 BARC Castle Combe Handicap race</td></tr><tr><td><a href="/facts/Clubman_(racing_car_class)/Uqm5CIm6">Clubman</a></td><td>1:15.200<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:27" href="#fn:27"><sup>27</sup></a></td><td>Jeremy Lord</td><td><a href="/facts/Mallock_U2/GlfrBEE5">Mallock U2</a></td><td>1965 Castle Combe SMC [Sports/Clubman] race</td></tr><tr><td><a href="/facts/Formula_Two/IJX09vXN">Formula Two</a></td><td>1:16.200<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:28" href="#fn:28"><sup>28</sup></a></td><td><a href="/facts/Bob_Gerard/op45d0kw">Bob Gerard</a></td><td><a href="/facts/Cooper_T23/6j8Pj33j">Cooper T23</a></td><td><a href="/facts/1953_Joe_Fry_Memorial_Trophy/w5BBBlyW">1953 Joe Fry Memorial Trophy</a></td></tr></tbody></table> <h2 id="notes">Notes</h2> <h2 id="external-links">External links</h2> Wikimedia Commons has media related to Castle Combe Circuit. <ul><li><a href="http://www.castlecombecircuit.co.uk">Castle Combe Circuit</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.greenpower.co.uk/">Greenpower Education Trust</a></li></ul> <h2 id="references">References</h2> <ol> <li id="fn:1"><p>Castle Combe Airfield, retrieved 23 March 2021 <a href="https://www.pastscape.org.uk/hob.aspx?hob_id=1390950" target="_blank">https://www.pastscape.org.uk/hob.aspx?hob_id=1390950</a> <a href="#fnref:1" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:2"><p>Castle Combe, retrieved 23 March 2021 <a href="https://www.racingcircuits.info/europe/united-kingdom/castle-combe.html" target="_blank">https://www.racingcircuits.info/europe/united-kingdom/castle-combe.html</a> <a href="#fnref:2" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:3"><p>750 Motor Club, race calendar 2015, Retrieved 11 October 2015 <a href="http://www.750mc.co.uk/calendar.htm" target="_blank">http://www.750mc.co.uk/calendar.htm</a> <a href="#fnref:3" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:4"><p>British Racing and Sports Car Club events 2015 Retrieved 12 October 2015 <a href="http://www.brscc.co.uk/Events" target="_blank">http://www.brscc.co.uk/Events</a> <a href="#fnref:4" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:5"><p>Greenpower races calendar, Castle Combe Heat 27 September 2015, Retrieved 2015-04-30 <a href="http://www.greenpower.co.uk/events/" target="_blank">http://www.greenpower.co.uk/events/</a> <a href="#fnref:5" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:6"><p>Castle Combe Car Boot Sale Retrieved 24 July 2023 <a href="https://eboots.co.uk/listing/castle-combe-car-boot/" target="_blank">https://eboots.co.uk/listing/castle-combe-car-boot/</a> <a href="#fnref:6" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:7"><p>"Fastest Lap Ever by Over 4 Seconds at 'Home Circuit': Castle Combe". McMurtry Automotive. 29 April 2024. Retrieved 27 January 2025. <a href="https://mcmurtry.com/mcmurtry-set-fastest-lap-ever-by-over-4-seconds-at-home-circuit-castle-combe/" target="_blank">https://mcmurtry.com/mcmurtry-set-fastest-lap-ever-by-over-4-seconds-at-home-circuit-castle-combe/</a> <a href="#fnref:7" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:8"><p>"2021 F3 Cup Race 9 - Classification" (PDF). 12 June 2021. Retrieved 25 November 2022. <a href="https://www.tsl-timing.com/file/?f=MSVR/2021/212351rc2f3c.pdf" target="_blank">https://www.tsl-timing.com/file/?f=MSVR/2021/212351rc2f3c.pdf</a> <a href="#fnref:8" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:9"><p>"2007 Formula Palmer Audi Castle Combe (Race 2)". 15 July 2007. Retrieved 27 January 2025. <a href="https://www.racingyears.com/race/2007_Formula_Palmer_Audi_Castle_Combe_(Race_2)" target="_blank">https://www.racingyears.com/race/2007_Formula_Palmer_Audi_Castle_Combe_(Race_2)</a> <a href="#fnref:9" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:10"><p>"British GT Championship Castle Combe 2002" (PDF). 23 June 2002. Retrieved 27 November 2022. <a href="https://www.tsl-timing.com/file/?f=BF3GT/2002/22505bgt.pdf" target="_blank">https://www.tsl-timing.com/file/?f=BF3GT/2002/22505bgt.pdf</a> <a href="#fnref:10" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:11"><p>"Castle Combe GT Championship 2022 CCRC GT Championship Race 2 - Classification" (PDF). 29 August 2022. Retrieved 27 November 2022. <a href="https://www.tsl-timing.com/file/?f=CCRC/2022/223568cgt.pdf" target="_blank">https://www.tsl-timing.com/file/?f=CCRC/2022/223568cgt.pdf</a> <a href="#fnref:11" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:12"><p>"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. <a href="https://www.tsl-timing.com/file/?f=CCRC/2018/181968cgt.pdf" target="_blank">https://www.tsl-timing.com/file/?f=CCRC/2018/181968cgt.pdf</a> <a href="#fnref:12" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:13"><p>"Britcar GT Championship Castle Combe 2011". Retrieved 25 November 2022. <a href="https://www.racingsportscars.com/race/Castle_Combe-2011-07-24.html" target="_blank">https://www.racingsportscars.com/race/Castle_Combe-2011-07-24.html</a> <a href="#fnref:13" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:14"><p>"British GT Championship Castle Combe 2005" (PDF). 26 June 2005. Retrieved 27 November 2022. <a href="https://www.tsl-timing.com/file/?f=BF3GT/2005/52505bgt.pdf" target="_blank">https://www.tsl-timing.com/file/?f=BF3GT/2005/52505bgt.pdf</a> <a href="#fnref:14" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:15"><p>"TCR UK 2022 » Castle Combe Round 11 Results". 6 August 2022. Retrieved 25 November 2022. <a href="https://www.touringcars.net/database/race.php?id=4491" target="_blank">https://www.touringcars.net/database/race.php?id=4491</a> <a href="#fnref:15" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:16"><p>"NIGEL GREENSALL ANNOUNCED AS SPECIAL GUEST ON 'COMBE CHAT' LIVE SHOW". Retrieved 25 November 2022. <a href="https://castlecombecircuit.co.uk/news/nigel-greensall-announced-as-special-guest-on-%27combe-chat%27-live-show" target="_blank">https://castlecombecircuit.co.uk/news/nigel-greensall-announced-as-special-guest-on-%27combe-chat%27-live-show</a> <a href="#fnref:16" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:17"><p>"Castle Combe Circuit" (PDF). Retrieved 25 November 2022. <a href="https://bpmc.org.uk/petestowe/Lib/CastleCombeCircuit.pdf" target="_blank">https://bpmc.org.uk/petestowe/Lib/CastleCombeCircuit.pdf</a> <a href="#fnref:17" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:18"><p>"Castle Combe – The first 60 years". Retrieved 25 November 2022. <a href="https://www.nigelgreensall.com/castle-combe-the-first-60-years/" target="_blank">https://www.nigelgreensall.com/castle-combe-the-first-60-years/</a> <a href="#fnref:18" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:19"><p>"1970 Castle Combe F5000 round". Retrieved 25 November 2022. <a href="https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/database/races/1970-castle-combe-f5000/" target="_blank">https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/database/races/1970-castle-combe-f5000/</a> <a href="#fnref:19" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:20"><p>Both drivers took the same lap time independently in the same race. <a href="#fnref:20" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:21"><p>Both drivers took the same lap time independently in the same race. <a href="#fnref:21" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:22"><p>Both drivers took the same lap time independently in the same race. <a href="#fnref:22" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:23"><p>"MN GT Castle Combe 1973". Retrieved 25 November 2022. <a href="https://www.racingsportscars.com/race/Castle_Combe-1973-08-27-10747.html" target="_blank">https://www.racingsportscars.com/race/Castle_Combe-1973-08-27-10747.html</a> <a href="#fnref:23" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:24"><p>"SKF GT Castle Combe 1970". Retrieved 25 November 2022. <a href="https://www.racingsportscars.com/race/Castle_Combe-1970-05-09-10352.html" target="_blank">https://www.racingsportscars.com/race/Castle_Combe-1970-05-09-10352.html</a> <a href="#fnref:24" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:25"><p>"Castle Combe [Special GT] 1968". Retrieved 25 November 2022. <a href="https://www.racingsportscars.com/race/Castle_Combe-1968-07-13-13459.html" target="_blank">https://www.racingsportscars.com/race/Castle_Combe-1968-07-13-13459.html</a> <a href="#fnref:25" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:26"><p>"BARC Castle Combe [Handicap A] 1965". Retrieved 25 November 2022. <a href="https://www.racingsportscars.com/race/Castle_Combe-1965-08-30-34290.html" target="_blank">https://www.racingsportscars.com/race/Castle_Combe-1965-08-30-34290.html</a> <a href="#fnref:26" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:27"><p>"SMC Castle Combe [Sports/Clubman] 1965". Retrieved 25 November 2022. <a href="https://www.racingsportscars.com/race/Castle_Combe-1965-08-21-33071.html" target="_blank">https://www.racingsportscars.com/race/Castle_Combe-1965-08-21-33071.html</a> <a href="#fnref:27" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:28"><p>"1953 Castle Combe F2". Retrieved 25 November 2022. <a href="https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/database/races/1953-castle-combe-f2/" target="_blank">https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/database/races/1953-castle-combe-f2/</a> <a href="#fnref:28" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> </ol>