Interesting report on one of the motorsport websites
Castle Combe Circuit launches major new classic event
17th July 2012
The Castle Combe circuit's first meeting exclusively dedicated to vintage, classic and historic racing is gearing up to become an important fixture on the racing calendar.
The Carole Nash Insurance Autumn Classic on Saturday October 6 is already attracting interest from local enthusiasts with 'secret' stables of machinery hitherto unseen in the West Country and from the invited clubs, keen to associate themselves with the 62 year old venue.
Of those, the Vintage Sports Car Club is eagerly awaiting its long overdue return to Castle Combe, where it will run a race for 'Pre War Sports Cars'.
Amongst the promised entries is the wonderful 1934 Talbot 105 Alpine Tourer owned by Stephen Curtis from Westbury.
Stephen has owned the car since 1976 and has competed extensively in it in the UK and on the continent, always driving the car to and from meetings on the road. The car's 6 cylinder, 3.4 litre engine produces 140 bhp, which will power it to 110 mph.
Many of the anticipated entries are for cars with important provenance, such as the 1931 MG C-type Midget which was raced at the legendary French circuit of Monthlery in period and is owned by Barry Foster of Glastonbury. Barry has raced the 747cc supercharged car at venues ranging from Monaco to South Africa.
Races for fifties sports cars, historic Aston Martins, 'Big Healeys', Pre 1960's Jaguars and a variety of V8 machinery are encouraging many other West Country enthusiasts to reveal some of the treasures locked away in their garages. Neil Fender, the owner of three ex-works Triumph TRs, based in Bath said, "It has been very encouraging to hear the ethos behind the Autumn Classic. As a racer and low key classic car dealer I feel so excited to have such an event on our doorstep and we will be supporting it in every way to help make it a success."
A very eagerly awaited race is that for Austin Healey 100s and 3000s, organised by Healey Driver International, whose competitions secretary, Joe Cox, is based in Bristol. He said, "Castle Combe is the spiritual home of big Healeys, because of the efforts of such as John Chatham in the '60's.
The Combe race will feature drivers from Holland, Switzerland, Sweden and Germany as well as the best known UK drivers. They will compete for 'The John Gott Memorial Trophy', kindly sponsored by Bristol Forklifts Ltd, whose boss, Julian Bronson, may also join in, still smiling from his fourth win at the Monaco Classic."
Mark Campbell from Stonehouse, Gloucestershire, the race Director for the Fifties Sports Car Racing Club, said," Several of our drivers, including myself, live in the Cotswolds, so this event is the best possible news for us." Campbell will be racing his ex works Aston Martin DB2, an original un-restored car, which competed at Le Mans.
For further information online, visit the Castle Combe Circuit at
www.castlecombecircuit.co.uk, built by racecar
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