Chris Summers, was the first driver to lap Castle Combe at 100mph, in his Cooper Chevy in June 1962.

THE creation of a circuit at Castle Combe dates back to meetings at Lulsgate airfield in 1949 by the Bristol Motor Cycle and Light Car Club.

Problems gaining RAC approval for Lulsgate prompted the club to look elsewhere. The perimeter track of the wartime airfield at Castle Combe looked promising and the club approached its motorsport enthusiast owner, Mrs Maurice.

The club held its first meeting in July 1950. Spectators weren't allowed but it was such a success that the club pressed on with plans for a second meeting in October, at which 12,000 watched top stars including Peter Collins and Stirling Moss.

More meetings followed in 1951 and 1952, including the first motorcycle events and a major national car meeting in October. John Surtees raced on two wheels and Moss on four. Moss was lucky to escape major injury in October 1953 when he rolled his Cooper at Quarry.

The International Empire News Meeting in October 1955 was one of the most ambitious, although not a great financial success. American Formula One racer Harry Schell led from start to finish in his Vanwall and set a lap record at 90mph.

Tragic accidents at the 1955 Le Mans race highlighted the need to upgrade spectator safety at Castle Combe, so meetings planned for 1956 were cancelled, not to return for five years.

As the 1960s dawned, motorcycle racing provided the two main events. However, hope for a return of car racing came in 1961 as Nick Syrett of the British Racing Sports Car Club negotiated funding for spectator safety banking and in 1962 the circuit staged three car meetings.

The return was short-lived because a disintegrating track brought car events to a halt. It was resurfaced in April 1964 after AFC took a lease on the circuit.

A planning inquiry in 1968 decided that the circuit should close for good at the end of 1971.

This is where Pat and Howard Strawford came in. They joined the BRSCC in 1968 and in 1971 set about saving the circuit. Strawford negotiated an extension with the planners. His efforts won a three-year reprieve.

His experience and track record brought him the chance to take over running the circuit in 1975. Hard work and persuasion won an extension to the end of 1980.

In June 1980 after another public inquiry when James Hunt stole the show as an expert witness for the circuit, permanent planning permission was granted for eight days of racing.

The inspector recommended that the matter should be reviewed in two years to consider an increase from eight to ten days' racing. The battle to save the circuit was finally over and, 31 years into its history, the circuit had permanent planning permission for the first time. Early in 1984, permission for the extra two days' racing was granted, giving the track ten days of racing each year.

Strawford's steady acquisition of the circuit was progressing and in 1983 the company bought the circuit, the run-off areas and the paddock. Further acquisitions followed and eventually Strawford's company completed the complicated land jigsaw, owning the complete site.

The programme of developments and improvements of the 1980s continued into the 1990s as the circuit evolved into one of most aesthetically pleasing in Britain.

In 1992, the circuit was completely resurfaced and the pit lane was widened and improved to double its old size. It was the first time that the circuit had been fully resurfaced since 1962.

In September 1995, the first two-day meeting was run following another planning battle. Then, in 1997 Nigel Greensall smashed the circuit record in his Tyrrell, thrilling the crowd by lapping in 50.59 seconds, an average of 130.93mph.

But, aware of ever-rising speeds, Strawford put plans in hand in 1998 to alter the circuit.

Two new corners, the Esses and Bobbies, were unveiled and have become an accepted part of the challenge. It was a £200,000 investment and took the circuit into the new millennium in excellent shape.

Usage is now up from five days a year when Strawford took over to 250.

2:49pm Thursday 28th February 2008

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