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Of recent times the circuit at Castle Combe has been greatly changed by the addition of two large chicanes that have completely altered the way the circuit must be driven to obtain that optimum fast lap.
To illustrate the need for change, in the mid 1950's the lap record for the old 1.84 mile course was 1 min 30 set by an F1, last year it stood at an incredible 54.26s set by a four year old Tyrel. The place was getting dangerous and the increasingly numerous "freak" accidents forced this change. When I first heard of the changes, I was of mixed emotion. On one hand the need for change was obvious, but the character of the old circuit would be lost forever, particularly the well respected
" Old Paddock Bend. " Debatably outside of Eau Rouge corner",
Spa-Franforchamps, Belgium, "this bend is held in great respect as the most evil corner in Europe, by those that have sampled it", …
Derek Warwick's own words.
So fair enough I have seen 6250 rpm into Old Paddock in my Dutton Phaeton in fifth gear, this being approximately 120-mph, it sort of focuses your mind! What was it was like in that Tyrel, lapping at an average of 124.6 mph! - Nigel Greensall 'nuff respect dude.
To fix these problems the Combe has had it's first ever layout change, the new layout is now 1.85 miles in length. The two right/left/right chicanes were installed over this winter, the one just before Old Paddock Bend is called " The Esses ". The other just after " Tower Corner " is called Bobbies. This in respect of the old FF1600 circuit champions of the 1980's who were all mostly called Bob! My first impressions were of how much work you now have to do, the new complexes are not daft and frustrating Bus Stops, both are of very different character, and are difficult, technical , and frustrating, a good job by the consultants then.
Right I will now describe the new circuit to you , or you may get lost !!!
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