CASTLE COMBE 2015

Howard’s Day With glorious sunshine, fantastic crowds (the best in 10 years!) and most importantly exceptional racing, Howard's Day saw the season start in a magnificent fashion! We knew it was going to be a good one when the race entries began stocking up, the forecast promised a dry day and reports of how well the new track surface was running were heard; and we were not disappointed!  The CCRC Saloon Car Championship served up a thrilling race-long battle between three of the best in the championship, the Formula Ford 1600s provided spectators with some nail-biting action, the Sports & GTs produced spectacular race of attrition and drama, whilst the Sports Racing Car Series proved to be a thrilling battle between two of club prototype racing’s biggest stars.

There was sensational action too from the visiting Mini Se7en Racing Club celebrating their 50th Anniversary season, a wonderful display of retro racing from the Healey and Sprite Challenge and some gripping racing from the WRDA Welsh Saloon and Sports Car Championship in their first ever Circuit visit. Read the full race report.  So we’re well and truly off and running now with so much to look forward to! The first Performance Car Action Day will be taking place in just 2 weeks’ time on Saturday 25th April, followed by the BARC Motors TV Race Day on Monday 4th May. There’s also plenty of track days, racing school events, car boot sales and much more; see below for details of all our upcoming activities!

Coming Up at the Circuit Alfaholics Track Day Saturday 11th April See a wide range of 60s and 70s Alfa Romeos take to the track - from road cars to full race machinery. Modern Alfas are welcome to join in the fantastic atmosphere in the paddock throughout the day and take part in the lunchtime track parade. This year Alfaholics will be celebrating 50 years since the launch of the legendary 1600 GTA! In fact the track day will be on the anniversary of the first race in which a GTA first competed (the Monza 1000kms) Find out more Car Boot Sales Upcoming dates: Sunday 12th April & Sunday 10th May These giant monthly gatherings of keen buyers & sellers provide you with a perfect chance to have a clear out & make some cash! Sellers setup from 8am, buyers entry from 9am until 2pm. Buyers: 50p donation on entry to local charity Sellers: £8/car, £10/small van & trailer, £25/large van Download the full Car Boot Sale calendar   Car Track Days Upcoming dates: Monday 20th April & Friday 1st May Price: £170 The first track day of 2015 was as successful as ever with an incredible 79 cars taking part Be sure to book early for your next (or first!) one as places will quickly fill. For just £170 you get a full day, free tuition, new to track sessions and a semi open pit lane operational format. The noise limit is a strict 100dBA (static). Find out more & book online Racing School Upcoming dates: Saturday 18th April & Saturday 2nd May Experience the thrill of driving performance cars or strap in and let a professional take you round for a white knuckle passenger ride! Perfect presents (even if it’s just for you!)  Experiences from £110, rides from £40, gift vouchers from £25 Don’t forget about our Startline Young Driver courses (next date: Wednesday 27th May) for 12-16 year olds, prices from £55. Discover our range of experiences & book online

Spring Performance Car Action Day In association with Infinity Exhausts & MCR Specialist Cars Saturday 25th April The first Action Day of the year looks to be our biggest yet with over 120 clubs on display, a full day of track action & a superb performance car trade village. The show has now grown so much that the club display area has extended down to Tower Corner! Pick up your FREE Show Guide on the gate when you arrive to make sure you don’t miss anything! All vehicles are welcome and there’s still time to purchase track sessions at the reduced advance rates. Club members wishing to book onto the £30 specially discounted sessions should fill out their forms and return them as soon as possible, remember ALL sessions will be £40 on the day! Adult Admission: £12(in advance), £15 (on day) Public Track Sessions: £35(in advance), £40 (on day) Purchase admission passes & public track sessions online

BARC Motors TV Race Day Monday 4th May The second round of the Castle Combe Championships will be joined by a host of great races from the BARC including the Classic Touring Car Racing Club, Classic Formula Fords & the MG Owners’ Club. With live broadcasting on Motors TV! With qualifying from 8.30am and racing from 11.50am. Find out more & book online Purchase admission tickets online in advance to receive FREE Paddock Transfer passes (worth £2.50 each)

Motorcycle Track Days Upcoming dates: Wednesday 6th May & Wednesday 20th May Price: £130 Now in their 20th year and as popular as ever! Enjoy free instruction, small groups and new to track sessions. Find out more & book online

Bike News TT Legend John McGuinness set for Castle Combe appearance The organisers of BikeSafe and Castle Combe Track Day are delighted to announce that TT legend John McGuinness will be guest of honour at the increasingly popular National BikeSafe day on Saturday 11th July 2015.

Currently the second most successful rider in the 108 year history of the Isle of Man TT with 21 wins, John’s presence and provides a massive boost to this important event which is already supported by Honda plus other leading manufacturers, accessory providers and retailers. Emphasising the road safety message amidst a great free day out, the BikeSafe and Castle Combe Track Day is already a firm favourite with many regional enthusiasts and now with John’s presence it means many more race fans and riders are likely to be heading to the Wiltshire track just outside Chippenham to meet one of the all-time great riders. Graham Marshallsay, Managing Director of Castle Combe Circuit said: “With our own track days celebrating their 20th year, and more riders enjoying our Safety Performance Days, we will be delighted to welcome John to further promote safe riding on our roads whilst at the same time showing the advantage of using the circuit to ride their bikes as the designers intended in a safe and controlled environment.  Honda has always promoted safer riding and having John McGuinness further endorsing this policy can only send a positive message to riders of all bikes.” For further information visit the Bikesafe or Castle Combe Motorcycling websites The Castle Combe Motorcycling team will be sending out their own newsletter next week with more details of all their upcoming events; make sure you sign up to the bike mailing list as well!

Rallyday News The last decade and a half has seen the show go from strength to strength and it regularly attracts some of the WRC's finest drivers and most successful and iconic cars. This year promises to be the best yet, with a number of high profile stars already confirmed, including British rally stalwart David Higgins and WRC star Elfyn Evans. It's safe to say you won't get a better chance to rub shoulders with the stars of the rallying world!  This year the show will mark the 20th anniversary of Colin McRae and Derek Ringer's infamous World Rally Championship success, a victory that boosted the UK profile of both Subaru and the WRC. The show will pay tribute to the pair's success and the iconic machine that brought them victory all those years ago.  Top rally cars have long been a part of Rallyday and its continued success, and the event always manages to draw together a jaw-dropping selection of machines from across the globe. Last year witnessed one of the largest gatherings of Metro 6R4s ever amassed, while 2015 promises to go one better with an even larger collection of Group B, Group A and current WRC hardware.  The event organisers are also keen to attract an even wider variety of rally cars from across the board, so if you happen to own an MSA-approved machine and would be happy to display it then get in touch. The show's SuperPro Clubman Rally Package has been designed specifically with this in mind! The deadline for early bird tickets has been extended to May 31st, so book early if you want to attend this superb show for just £13. Find out more and book online.