Castle Combe races

Castle Combe will pay host to the fourth round of the ACU Dunlop Tyres MotoStar Championship on July 28/29 and celebrate the 50th anniversary of legendary Mike Hailwood’s debut at the Wiltshire circuit.

The meeting, sponsored by Fowlers Motorcycles, will feature the new MotoStar series and will incorporate rounds of the various championships including the GP125cc and GP250cc classes plus the newly-announced Ducati Sport 1000 Cup and the eagerly awaited Suzuki GSXR Trophy.

The meeting also incorporates the Lansdowne Cup for classic racing machines and the fourth-annual Castle Combe Superbike Grand National Invitation Race. This will see defending champion Victor Cox from nearby Trowbridge hoping to beat off a host of National stars who are expected to mix it with the cream of club racers meaning an excellent weekend of sport. As well as the action on track, the circuit are arranging some spectacular lunchtime displays and will be celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the legendary Mike Hailwood’s Castle Combe debut.

Hailwood’s second-ever race was in 1957 in the 125 class at Castle Combe when he finished fourth.

Regretfully, however, the Council imposed noise regulations at Castle Combe mean that they will be unable to invite displays from the Beaulieu Honda-4 or other bikes associated with Hailwood’s era but nevertheless the circuit has some exciting plans in hand which will be announced in due course.

The circuit are also keen to talk to any riders who have an NSU Sportsmax, as Hailwood won a 250 race on an NSU Sportsmax at Castle Combe early in his career, and will also be inviting owners of any Hailwood Ducati replica’s for a special lunchtime display. 

Those interested in displaying or parading their bikes should contact Combe’s Rodney Gooch either by telephone on 01249 782417 or via e-mail at rodney@castlecombecircuit.co.uk