Castle Combe Breaks 40-Year Link with Club

16 September 2005

Better races, bigger grids and lower competitor entry fees are just a few of the benefits of a ground-breaking initiative by the Castle Combe Circuit for 2006.

In a move which could herald a radical change in the face of club racing in the UK, the circuit has broken its 40-year tie with the British Racing and Sports Car Club and will effectively run its own meetings from the start of next season.

The Castle Combe Racing Club Ltd, incorporating the Castle Combe Circuit Supporters Club, has been set up to take over the circuit racing activities currently undertaken by the BRSCC.

While independent from the circuit, the club's control is in the hands of a board of directors selected from both the current BRSCC South West Centre and the circuit's management team.

Circuit Chairman Howard Strawford explained some of the reasoning behind the move: "The circuit and the local centre have become increasingly disillusioned by the attitude of the BRSCC. Our race allocations have been falling in quality for some time and, despite the fact we are undoubtedly the most successful circuit in terms of crowd figures and race-day efficiency, our voice and opinions have been virtually ignored. This was highlighted when race entries were centralised against the wishes of all concerned".

Much of the background work and initiative in forming the club has been the responsibility of Adrian Fawdington, a longstanding official of the BRSCC and currently Centre Senior Clerk of the Course.

Fawdington is confident that competitors and spectators will see tremendous benefits from joining the new club.

He explained: "The new Club will be profit neutral, without the layers of management, administration and costs which the BRSCC is burdened with. That means it will be cheaper to join and race entry fees will be lower. The competitor will also be able to deal with someone locally, as they always used to, building up those important relationships and rapport which should be part of the enjoyment of racing at any circuit.

"While grid sizes have never been an issue with Castle Combe's Championships, we are confident more and more drivers will want to race here, which can only add to the numbers at a time when many championships are fading. There will also be many ways in which spectators can become more involved."

The circuit's three home championships, for National Mobile Windscreens Saloons, Melton Concrete Products FF1600 and the Special GT Championship, will be administered by the new Club. The BRSCC has already been invited to submit proposals for race meeting content for the 2006 season.

It is expected that the vast majority of officials and marshals from the South Western Centre of the BRSCC will defect to the new club, whose president will be Howard Strawford. Other executive positions will be announced shortly.

See calendar for events at Castle Combe Circuit

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