Castle Combe Racing Club

[Dan Friel]

Combe splits from BRSCC.. is this covered elsewhere on 10-10ths?

Quite a big happening, and it will mean that a variety of race club events could take place at the circuit next year.

[diz]

I put it in the Formula Ford forum earlier today

[Chris Y]

Sounds like it's more relevant to this forum.

So now CC has its own 'club', as does Brands. Is this a trend? Will more circuits organise their own meetings, rather than relying on the big national clubs? Interesting.

[TheNewBob]

I've read a few things about BRSCC imcompetence, particularly with the recent Ferrari challenge fiasco - so it doesn't come as a surprise.

[NotLordPercy]

Sounds like a very positive move. Local control, less officialdom, fewer overheads, more cars, more spectators etc etc . And, perhaps, 750 MC could bring their package as well as Dunlop?
The best circuit just got better...........

[gixxer]

Originally Posted by NotLordPercy

Sounds like a very positive move. Local control, less officialdom, fewer overheads, more cars, more spectators etc etc . And, perhaps, 750 MC could bring their package as well as Dunlop?
The best circuit just got better...........

yep too right!!

[RobC]

Ooh that sounds interesting, any more details?

[gixxer]

not really rob only what's been posted here the report was in motorsports news i think

[gixxer]

there's also a report on www.ff1600.co.uk which as usual is good reading

[RobC]

ta, will go for a browse

[Asp]

Originally Posted by Chris Y

So now CC has its own 'club', as does Brands. Is this a trend? Will more circuits organise their own meetings, rather than relying on the big national clubs? Interesting.

Thing is there's a lot of differences between the two. CCRC is a true split from the BRSCC (it's pretty well going to be formed from the BRSCC-SW centre from what I can understand) and as BRSCC-SW used to be the only club to organise events at Combe, CCRC is likely to become that monopoly.

At Brands however, the BHRC is currently just an entity, with nothing as yet happening there - and if it does start the run its own meetings other clubs (including BRSCC) should still be running meetings there.

I'm also going to throw into the mix to East Anglian Motor Club that was going to run meetings at Snetterton. That was formed with a few members of the BRSCC-EA centre and again was looking like a 'split' (although again in addition to other clubs racing at the circuit), although that obviously never got off the ground for reasons that still remain a mystery to me at least.

So, yes, there is a trend of circuits wanting to organise their own meetings - but the creation of the CCRC is the big one as it's a true split, but such a thing probably couldn't happen at any other circuit in the country.

[redshoes]

Forgive me if I've got the wrong end of the stick here.

Are we saying that the CCRC is effectively the BRSCC-SW re-branded, with the same people in charge? If so surely any complaints about BRSCC incompetence are still just as valid.

I assume the local FF and Saloon/Sports series will now be organised by the CCRC but what about everything else? If the championships are administered by the BRSCC but the race meetings organised by the CCRC doesn't that add another level of bureaucracy?

[CombeMarshal]

You are Forgiven!!
The new CCRC is nothing to do with the BRSCC, all Events will be organised by the Circuit from now on, and it can only be for the best, No more being lumped with 5 car grids (thanks BRSCC!)
The Futures bright, the Futures Combe!

[redshoes]

Originally Posted by CombeMarshal

The new CCRC is nothing to do with the BRSCC

Originally Posted by Asp

it's pretty well going to be formed from the BRSCC-SW centre from what I can understand

Originally Posted by ff1600.co.uk

The club will be independent from the circuit but will be controlled by a board selected from the circuit's management team and BRSCC South West centre officials.

So nothing to do with but formed by and controlled by a board sellected by?

Originally Posted by CombeMarshal

all Events will be organised by the Circuit from now on

But the Championships will still be organised by the BRSCC (or whoever), hence another set of officials.

[CombeMarshal]

Circuit breaks 40 year link with club 12/09/2005

Better races, bigger grids and lower competitor entry fees are just a few of the benefits of a ground-breaking initiative by the Castle Combe Circuit for 2006.

In a move which could herald a radical change in the face of club racing in the UK, the circuit has broken it's 40 year tie with the British Racing and Sports Car Club and will effectively run it's own meetings from the start of next season.

The Castle Combe Racing Club Ltd, incorporating the Castle Combe Circuit Supporters Club, has been set up to take over the circuit racing activities currently undertaken by the BRSCC.

Whilst independent from the circuit, the club’s control is in the hands of a board of directors selected from both the current BRSCC South West Centre and the circuit’s management team.

Adrian Fawdington was a member of the Brscc, And knows what needs doing to put on a great show for everyone

Circuit Chairman Howard Strawford explained some of the reasoning behind the move “The circuit and the local centre has become increasingly disillusioned by the attitude of the BRSCC. Our race allocations have been falling in quality for some time and despite the fact we are undoubtedly the most successful circuit in terms of crowd figures and race day efficiency, our voice and opinions have been virtually ignored. This was highlighted when race entries were centralized against the wishes of all concerned.”

Much of the background work and initiative in forming the club has been the responsibility of Adrian Fawdington, a long standing official of the BRSCC and currently Centre Senior Clerk of the Course.

Fawdington is confident competitors and spectators will see tremendous benefits from joining the new club. He explained “The new Club will be profit neutral, without the layers of management, administration and costs which the BRSCC is burdened with. That means it will be cheaper to join and race entry fees will be lower. The competitor will also be able to deal with someone locally, as they always used to, building up those important relationships and rapport which should be part of the enjoyment of racing at any circuit. Whilst grid sizes have never been an issue with Castle Combe’s Championships, we are confident more and more drivers will want to race here, which can only add to the numbers at a time when many championships are fading. There will also be many ways in which spectators can become more involved.”

The circuit’s three home championships for National Mobile Windscreens Saloons, Melton Concrete Products FF1600 and the Special GT Championship, will be administered by the new Club. The BRSCC has already been invited to submit proposals for race meeting content for the 2006 season.

It is expected that the vast majority of officials and marshals from the South Western Centre of the BRSCC will defect to the new club, whose president will be Howard Strawford. Other executive positions will be announced shortly.

The Club will include Members of the BRSCC, But not formed by the BRSCC they left for a reason, It's very rare that anyone leaves if they are happy there!

The Championships will no longer be organised by the BRSCC


Lee

[stroller]

Quote from Howard Strawford

"The circuit and the local centre has become increasingly disillusioned by the attitude of the BRSCC."

Are not Howard and Steve Burns both members of the main Board of the BRSCC

If so, have thet not had chance to change things ?

[CombeMarshal]

Obviously not, otherwise they would have.
Lee

[redshoes]

Originally Posted by CombeMarshal

The Club will include Members of the BRSCC, But not formed by the BRSCC they left for a reason, It's very rare that anyone leaves if they are happy there!

My point was that regardless of what they call themselves the people in charge haven't changed. In the words of The Who "Meet the new boss, same as the old boss"

The Championships will no longer be organised by the BRSCC

As I said I'm talking about other than the local FF1600/Saloon/Sports series. To take the example of a repeat of the last August BH meeting, the Fiat, Alfa Romeo and Fiesta championships will still be BRSCC organised but will be guest series at the meeting. As Combe run almost exclusively BRSCC meetings ALL the BRSCC championships will become guest series.

[stroller]

Originally Posted by CombeMarshal

Obviously not, otherwise they would have.
Lee

From British Racing News (Official Mag of BRSCC)

Club Directors include Steve Burns and Howard Strawford (who is also listed as a Club Vice President!!!)

[CombeMarshal]

Originally Posted by redshoes

My point was that regardless of what they call themselves the people in charge haven't changed. In the words of The Who "Meet the new boss, same as the old boss"


As I said I'm talking about other than the local FF1600/Saloon/Sports series. To take the example of a repeat of the last August BH meeting, the Fiat, Alfa Romeo and Fiesta championships will still be BRSCC organised but will be guest series at the meeting. As Combe run almost exclusively BRSCC meetings ALL the BRSCC championships will become guest series.

Yeah, I see what your saying, but I'm sure it's for the best

[CombeMarshal]

Originally Posted by stroller

From British Racing News (Official Mag of BRSCC)

Club Directors include Steve Burns and Howard Strawford (who is also listed as a Club Vice President!!!)

What I meant was, there must be higher powers that are stopping the desicions, they must have felt that this is the only way to protect the circuit future.
Lee

[CombeMarshal]

Originally Posted by redshoes

As Combe run almost exclusively BRSCC meetings ALL the BRSCC championships will become guest series.

And they can also now run races from non BRSCC championships
Lee

[redshoes]

Why couldn't they have non-BRSCC meetings before?

[R59]

Them and Us!!
A bit like BRSCC Clubbie c/ships not going to Thruxton!!

I suppose it could mean the C.Combe championships going to other circuits - like Thruxton!!

I wish Howard, Adrian, and others there at the top, the best of success, and I hope to be there next year at some stage to test the noise meter for them.

Looking wider, could this be the beginning of the demise of the BRSCC? (Discuss in new thread?) Or am I being a doom-monger.

[RobC]

As a new comer to circuit racing next year and planning to do the CC GT's this is all great news! I've had a lot of dealings with the guys/gals at Combe over the years and they have always been brilliant.....excellent!