Pete Stowe ........
some MotorSport History
Castle Combe Circuit
The Castle Combe circuit, 20 miles to the east of Bristol, near Chippenham, Wiltshire was opened in 1950 using the perimeter track of the former RAF airfield. Car and motorcycle racing was held from 1950 to 1955, culminating in the Formula One 'Avon Trophy' race won by Harry Schell in a Vanwall. For a few years from 1956 only motorcycle races were run, with car meetings recommencing in 1962.
From 1962 onwards the track has been in frequent use for club racing, but also hosted International F5000 and Formula 3 meetings in 1970-1971, and from 2001 the British Formula 3 and GT Championships.
For further information on Castle Combe see www.castlecombecircuit.co.uk
Castle Combe Circuit Archive
Since 1997, when I took on the spare-time role of circuit archivist, we have assembled an archive including programmes, results sheets, and press reports covering every meeting from the circuits beginning in 1950, with also a small collection of photographs and memorabilia. This was put to good use in 2000 when, to celebrate the circuits 50th anniversary, a book was published:
ISBN 1 903378 00 1 - available from all good booksellers.
WANTED FOR THE ARCHIVE
Although the archive includes much information, with over 70 people having donated items, there are still a number of gaps to fill. Particular wants are programmes for the car race meetings on 15 May 1965 and 23 July 1966, and the International Kart meeting on 17-19 April 1965.
We are also interested in obtaining:
various car programmes from 1964-68, plus 30 August 1976 (car) and 24 July 1954, 10 August 1985 & 9 August 1986 (motorcycles) to replace photocopies
pre-1979 race results sheets, and sprint programmes & results sheets
Bristol Motor Cycle & Light Car Club magazines 1950-55
photographs or film from 1950s-1970s
any other memorabilia
If you can help, or just have recollections of the early races, please contact
pete.stowe@lineone.net
© All Rights Reserved Pete Stowe 2003-4