Circuits
Castle Combe
Description:In 1949, the Bristol MC & LCC used to hold race meetings at Lulsgate Airfield (now Bristol Airport), but after the RAC had problems gaining approval for race meetings it was decided to use the perimeter track of the former wartime airfield of Castle Combe. After negotiations were completed, the first race meeting was held on the 8th July, 1950, although spectators were not allowed. Spectators were allowed in to the next meeting on the 7th October, where a crowd of 12,000 saw Peter Collins and Stirling Moss competing in F3.
By 1955, Formula 1 races were being held, but spectator safety was becoming an issue. As a result, car races were suspended for 1956, although motorbike races continued. It wasn't until 1962 that car races were resumed, once the BRSCC had installed safety banking in 1961.
The circuit was resurfaced in 1964, but planning permission problems were starting to dog the venue. A planning enquiry in May 1968 gave the circuit three more years of use before total closure in 1971, but after a successful year including a round of the year European Formula 5000 Championship, a reprieve was won in June 1972 which allowed five meetings a year for a further three years.
Download Track: http://www.ian-stanley.co.uk/circuits/ccombe_medium.zip
Track Record: 58.023s (set by: Hristo Itchov)