Castle Combe Takes Significant Step Forward?

b1ackcr0w · 12 Mar 2006, 19:57 (Ref:1545401)

Today, I hope I've seen a significant change for the better in the world of Marshalling.

Castle Combe has never been a bad place to marshal for me. But today was the first day the circuit was operated by the new Castle Combe Racing Club Ltd. Although many of the faces were the same, there seemed to be a sea change in attitude and approach.

The circuit decided to ditch the BRSCC at the end of last year. CCRC was formed to take over the racing operations there from the start of this season. As you might expect, winning over the marshals to the new CCRC way of thinking was a big objective today. And sure enough a fair amount of time was spent doing that.

The important part was how they went about that task. The new club has put as it's core value, one guiding principal. Namely, that from now on the entire operation will ran on the basis that Competitors, Marshals and Spectators are all equally important and, should be treated as such. Ok, that's a nice intention, but the path to hell as they say...

The next bit rocked me a bit though. Both the Chairman of the Club and the Circuit owner then sat down with us and actually talked (to us like adults!) about the basis of the clubs finances, what the risks and pitfalls are, how the business plan intends to fund the changes we've asked for, what sort of time frames we can expect the changes to happen, how they will encourage competitors to be respectful of our efforts and so on. If I'm not mistaken, I think this is exactly what we've hoping for, isn't it? As mature adults, we all know that money doesn't grow on trees and that things don't happen overnight. But we have been basically wanting organising clubs to level with us, talk plainly, to listen to us and to recognise our place in the sport.

I don't think I was the only person who came away from today with the distinct impression that Castle Combe has stolen a big march on the rest of the sport in terms getting to grips with what will actually keep existing marshals marshalling, and bringing new ones into the fold. And rather than the usual "Just trust us, we know better attitude" it was more like, "Here's the plan, we know need your help for it to work, want to join the team?". I thought a telling moment was when they went right through the "Marshalling in Crisis?" presentation that Chris Hobson & George Copeland made to the Motorsports Council (see here http://tentenths.com/forum/showthread.php?t=79658 ), and explained what part CCRC inteded to do about each point.

I really do think this is something that should make other clubs and venues sit up and take notice.

Oh, and by the way, They have had their MSA licence upgraded and can run grids of 42, yes, FORTY TWO saloons there this year. Aparently they already have several full saloon grid entries, so that theory is probably going to become reality.

Suze · 12 Mar 2006, 20:54 (Ref:1545449)

Arse, I THOUGHT it was you I saw but wasn't sure...! Next time I'll be polite and say hi

It was a good and interesting day, and the way it was run and the new club was explained too looks like it will run too. Was bloody cold though, but it did look pretty this morning....

b1ackcr0w · 12 Mar 2006, 21:32 (Ref:1545490)

That's OK Suze, I'm sure there'll be a chance to catch up at Combe, Shelsley, Prescott, Gurston or somewhere

Suze · 12 Mar 2006, 21:39 (Ref:1545494)

Sure there will....in honesty? I was only 90% sure it was you and wasn't convinced...but sure there'll be a next time! Nice little speech btw

CombeMarshal · 13 Mar 2006, 12:05 (Ref:1547047)

Does look exciting for the future!
I wish them every success in the future, As said it is a great circuit already and now it is going to get even better!

Nighthawk · 13 Mar 2006, 12:14 (Ref:1547054)

Lets see how it all pans out!!!.
I like combe been at all meetings for last 6 years.

gixxer · 13 Mar 2006, 13:06 (Ref:1547107)

42 cars going into quarry on the first lap

you Guy's and girls could well have a busy year

Still that's what i pay my season pass for to see full grids,moving away fron the brssc looks like its the best move they've made

The best of luck to all at combe 2006 is lookibg superb

MacGWC · 13 Mar 2006, 17:23 (Ref:1547279)

I was briefed by Adrian last week on Castle Combe's intentions and could not help but be impressed. I cannot see that their efforts will result in anything else but roaring success. Castle Combe has always enjoyed excellent support from competitors, marshals and spectators, although I understand this has fallen away a little in recent years, for a whole variety of reasons. Their new proposals will bring back all this support, in my view, and this is already in evidence by the number of marshals and competitors who have registered interest.

The MSA has recognised this "new" club is run by very experienced officals and has shown admirable common sense in issuing a waiver to the normal requirement for first race meetings to be run behind closed doors.

Everyone seems to be behind this new venture and we wish them well.

As always, I hope marshals will recognise the part BMMC has played in raising marshalling issues to the extent that many of the smaller organising clubs and now Castle Combe are going out of their way to address the issues in a much more active and constructive way than hitherto.

garybirch · 14 Mar 2006, 16:41 (Ref:1548120)

All credit to Adrian and the team. I thought the whole taringin day was a hit, and was most impressed by Adrian's introduction to CCRC.
I'm saddened that the BRSCC couldn't see fit to work with rather than against CCRC!
Anyhow...42 tin tops on the grid will be exciting. We'll have to issue the back of the grid round the corner with radios to tell them when to go!

Ian Sowman · 14 Mar 2006, 17:13 (Ref:1548143)

Well, there won't be 42 Combe Saloons on the grid on the 25th... the entry for that race is still to hit 30. Looks like a full grid of Supergrads though.

Suze · 14 Mar 2006, 17:14 (Ref:1548146)

How many CC saloons are they expecting by then Ian?

Ian Sowman · 14 Mar 2006, 17:16 (Ref:1548147)

On the list I have got it stands at 29, so they might get slightly over 30 with a few late ones.

Suze · 14 Mar 2006, 17:29 (Ref:1548169)

29 CC saloons is fun though, 35 or so is better!

gixxer · 14 Mar 2006, 17:35 (Ref:1548175)

they've had 38 on the grid quite a few occiasons in the past,still around the thirty mark is still a very heathly grid,there also seems to be a number of new cars this year too

Suze · 14 Mar 2006, 17:42 (Ref:1548185)

There does, there's a few pictures around in various places, remember the grids of 38 or so - great stuff! Does Tony whatsisname who used to drive the orange corsa still race?

chezza · 14 Mar 2006, 18:00 (Ref:1548199)

I am just looking forward to June when I can watch 42 Dunlop Track and Race Car Saloons there!

Suze · 14 Mar 2006, 18:12 (Ref:1548207)

Yep, so am I though having to go around other arrangements - family 80th birthday celebration nearby! So it's gonna be mornings and afternoons for me.

Combe in June is much nicer than Combe in March

gixxer · 14 Mar 2006, 18:20 (Ref:1548215)

Yes you mean Tony Dolly although he barrel rolled it at folly last year suprisingly the damage which looked bad wasn't he was out in again a couple of rounds later with just a few dents in the roof

Unlike Mark Wyatt he rolled in the same place and totalled his old astra think that was about 3 yrs ago

well the way this weathers going at the moment it could well be the coldest day ever up there on the spectator banks,and we've been sat there when the snow's been falling

CombeMarshal · 14 Mar 2006, 19:54 (Ref:1548310)

Yeah I was right in front of him when it happened, First lap and too much power!
I was amazed how quick he got it back up and running, the only reason it had a dent on the roof was because he got it cheap like that (Or so they said on the pa system!!)

You may be glad to know they have put an 8 foot high 100 meter long solid fence round the top of the exit of quarry, I can see Spectators fighting over space there this year!

I'm glad that they didn't get the same increase in Formula Fords though (they actually lost one didn't they?) that would have been v.interesting at Quarry!
And the rolling start for the GT's should be good!

Roll on 25th OF march!

CombeMarshal · 14 Mar 2006, 19:55 (Ref:1548312)

OH, and it's a 206!

Don't become an Observer Suze!!!!!

Suze · 14 Mar 2006, 20:17 (Ref:1548873)

Are you sure..? I remember his 206 (white? Didn't see saloons last year) but four / five years ago did he not drive an orange corsa? I'm sure he did!

gixxer · 14 Mar 2006, 20:28 (Ref:1548893)

Quote:

Originally Posted by CombeMarshal

Yeah I was right in front of him when it happened, First lap and too much power!
I was amazed how quick he got it back up and running, the only reason it had a dent on the roof was because he got it cheap like that (Or so they said on the pa system!!)

You may be glad to know they have put an 8 foot high 100 meter long solid fence round the top of the exit of quarry, I can see Spectators fighting over space there this year!

I'm glad that they didn't get the same increase in Formula Fords though (they actually lost one didn't they?) that would have been v.interesting at Quarry!
And the rolling start for the GT's should be good!

Roll on 25th OF march!

I'll make sure i'm at quarry nice and early then lee,i'll have a gander at that fence at next thursday's testing at least it'll provide some shelter from a easterly wind....well that won't be that often cause its nearly alway's in yer face at quarry

kipper · 14 Mar 2006, 20:37 (Ref:1548909)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Suze

Are you sure..? I remember his 206 (white? Didn't see saloons last year) but four / five years ago did he not drive an orange corsa? I'm sure he did!

Tony Dolley did have an orange Corsa, which he used to win the championship in '03 and was subsequently replaced by the similarly coloured Peugeot 206.

Suze · 14 Mar 2006, 20:40 (Ref:1548914)

Good, I haven't lost it then! That's the one I was thinking of

Last time I saw CC saloons was at least 02

Al Weyman · 14 Mar 2006, 20:45 (Ref:1548925)

Quote:

Originally Posted by chezza

I am just looking forward to June when I can watch 42 Dunlop Track and Race Car Saloons there!

I hope to be in that one with the Black Z/28 IROC.

I can confirm Tony had the Orange Corsa Suze as he used to also race with us in the ModProds.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
PHR Scuderia Takes A Step Back	GTRMagic	Australasian Touring Cars.	49	11 Feb 2004 12:34
Newman-Haas significant step to IRL	climb	IRL Indycar Series	68	16 Nov 2003 20:35
True Formula 1 fans step forward Please !	Billy_Hunt	Formula One	40	5 Jan 2001 06:24
McLaren's Giant Step Forward	s98sadds	Formula One	11	25 Aug 2000 01:06