Castle Combe GTs - Novice friendly?
Discussion
Hi,
Having done my ARDs in October, I want to enroll in a few races for 2023. I'll be racing a Ginetta G40 Cup (135bhp and 960kg with fuel and driver) and am keen to do the Castle Combe home series due to convenience, time and cost.
The car will fall into Class E (modified up to 2000cc) and with a decent driver would probably be quite competitive. Herein lies the issue... I'm not yet a "decent" racing driver and am still learning my way around this car.
This will be my first season and first competitive race and whilst I thought I was pretty fast on track days, my F1 driving coach friend has helped me to see that I still have a way to go before I am fast by race standards (although in fairness, I think he is comparing me to the pro-drivers that he usually coaches).
As such, I want to know whether CCRC GTs is reasonably novice friendly? I'm not expecting to win but I equally don't want to end up becoming a rolling roadblock to GT cars on slicks.
Having done my ARDs in October, I want to enroll in a few races for 2023. I'll be racing a Ginetta G40 Cup (135bhp and 960kg with fuel and driver) and am keen to do the Castle Combe home series due to convenience, time and cost.
The car will fall into Class E (modified up to 2000cc) and with a decent driver would probably be quite competitive. Herein lies the issue... I'm not yet a "decent" racing driver and am still learning my way around this car.
This will be my first season and first competitive race and whilst I thought I was pretty fast on track days, my F1 driving coach friend has helped me to see that I still have a way to go before I am fast by race standards (although in fairness, I think he is comparing me to the pro-drivers that he usually coaches).
As such, I want to know whether CCRC GTs is reasonably novice friendly? I'm not expecting to win but I equally don't want to end up becoming a rolling roadblock to GT cars on slicks.
andrewcliffe said:
It wasn't a big grid in 2022, but if you can lap consistently in the 1m20 region you should have someone to race against but you'll need to start watching mirrors for lapped cars after after 7 or 8 laps.
Exactly this!It's a great bunch of competitors, and the grid sizes mean that it's not a terrifying place to start; I did my ARDS last year, and raced in three rounds of the GTs during the year in my Mk2 Escort.
Whilst consistently at the bottom end of the timing sheets, I had great fun and learnt a lot, and would definitely recommend it as a place to start.
I shared a bit of a write up on the second page of the "Tell me about your first race " thread below if you fancy a read:
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
I think that all of this year's rounds are double headers, so two signatures per meeting if all goes well, and the races are also rolling starts, which massively reduces the risks of a start line incident.
Have to ask ........ what car do you have, and do you have any pictures ???
mat205125 said:
Exactly this!
It's a great bunch of competitors, and the grid sizes mean that it's not a terrifying place to start; I did my ARDS last year, and raced in three rounds of the GTs during the year in my Mk2 Escort.
Whilst consistently at the bottom end of the timing sheets, I had great fun and learnt a lot, and would definitely recommend it as a place to start.
I shared a bit of a write up on the second page of the "Tell me about your first race " thread below if you fancy a read:
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
I think that all of this year's rounds are double headers, so two signatures per meeting if all goes well, and the races are also rolling starts, which massively reduces the risks of a start line incident.
Have to ask ........ what car do you have, and do you have any pictures ???
Brilliant. I'll give it a go then. Are you planning to race again this year? It's a great bunch of competitors, and the grid sizes mean that it's not a terrifying place to start; I did my ARDS last year, and raced in three rounds of the GTs during the year in my Mk2 Escort.
Whilst consistently at the bottom end of the timing sheets, I had great fun and learnt a lot, and would definitely recommend it as a place to start.
I shared a bit of a write up on the second page of the "Tell me about your first race " thread below if you fancy a read:
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
I think that all of this year's rounds are double headers, so two signatures per meeting if all goes well, and the races are also rolling starts, which massively reduces the risks of a start line incident.
Have to ask ........ what car do you have, and do you have any pictures ???
The car is a Ginetta G40 Cup car which is currently a fetching combination of burgundy, silver and white (not my first choice of colours but I got it for a good price and don't want to invest too much in a paint job prior to my first season). I don't have any decent photos of it in its current state as my kids are usually desperate to crawl all over it and get into any photo I am taking but once the weather improves and I've tidied it up a bit, I'll get some posted.
LennyM1984 said:
Brilliant. I'll give it a go then. Are you planning to race again this year?
The car is a Ginetta G40 Cup car which is currently a fetching combination of burgundy, silver and white (not my first choice of colours but I got it for a good price and don't want to invest too much in a paint job prior to my first season). I don't have any decent photos of it in its current state as my kids are usually desperate to crawl all over it and get into any photo I am taking but once the weather improves and I've tidied it up a bit, I'll get some posted.
You can enjoy it more if you don't have a nagging concern about a fresh paint job in the back of your mind The car is a Ginetta G40 Cup car which is currently a fetching combination of burgundy, silver and white (not my first choice of colours but I got it for a good price and don't want to invest too much in a paint job prior to my first season). I don't have any decent photos of it in its current state as my kids are usually desperate to crawl all over it and get into any photo I am taking but once the weather improves and I've tidied it up a bit, I'll get some posted.
I'll definitely be doing a few rounds this year, and barring any problems, will be entering the Easter Monday double header in April.
Get yourself registered, and Cat will get you included into the Whatsapp group chat, which is very valuable and informative. Cat and the team at the circuit are really helpful, and supportive. One of the clerks took 20 minutes of their morning on my first race, to give me a one-to-one and help with any questions are queries. There's also a Facebook group to join too, appropriately titled "Castle Combe GT Championship"
mat205125 said:
You can enjoy it more if you don't have a nagging concern about a fresh paint job in the back of your mind
I'll definitely be doing a few rounds this year, and barring any problems, will be entering the Easter Monday double header in April.
Get yourself registered, and Cat will get you included into the Whatsapp group chat, which is very valuable and informative. Cat and the team at the circuit are really helpful, and supportive. One of the clerks took 20 minutes of their morning on my first race, to give me a one-to-one and help with any questions are queries. There's also a Facebook group to join too, appropriately titled "Castle Combe GT Championship"
Great. You've convinced me! I'll get my form sent off.I'll definitely be doing a few rounds this year, and barring any problems, will be entering the Easter Monday double header in April.
Get yourself registered, and Cat will get you included into the Whatsapp group chat, which is very valuable and informative. Cat and the team at the circuit are really helpful, and supportive. One of the clerks took 20 minutes of their morning on my first race, to give me a one-to-one and help with any questions are queries. There's also a Facebook group to join too, appropriately titled "Castle Combe GT Championship"
Pepperpots said:
Hi, can I get an idea of costs for this please, entry fees mainly. Also, is it all run on slicks or just select classes?
Tyres are free in all classes, therefore slicks are allowed, however not mandatory.Check the website for the entry costs, as I can't remember, and don't want to speculate
Can’t talk specifically on GTs - but can say Combe is a very friendly place and other competitors welcoming and a useful source of knowledge. I remember a competitor helping fix my FF1600 between quali and the race - couldn’t understand why - and all he said was “I’ll beat you in the track, not in the paddock”. Have a great time - let us know when you’ll be out and we can come and watch/support.
Petrus1983 said:
Can’t talk specifically on GTs - but can say Combe is a very friendly place and other competitors welcoming and a useful source of knowledge. I remember a competitor helping fix my FF1600 between quali and the race - couldn’t understand why - and all he said was “I’ll beat you in the track, not in the paddock”. Have a great time - let us know when you’ll be out and we can come and watch/support.
Absolutely love that sentiment, and in no way consider it to be in any way cocky. Just simply a wholesome and positive way to approach all kinds of amateur sportsLennyM1984 said:
Well I'm all signed up for the GT series and will probably aim to do my first race in May! Thanks for convincing me and hopefully I will see some of you there.
Good man!! Hopefully see you there!If you come to spectate at Easter, please drop by and say hi !
Just had a nice chat with Cat the race coordinator, there's a media day with testing on 18th march which is a good opportunity for a shake down, meet people and check for noise/scrutineering issues etc
Found the costs, a single race is £250 and a double header £365, all but one on the calendar for 2023 are double headers.
That's actually very reasonable!
Found the costs, a single race is £250 and a double header £365, all but one on the calendar for 2023 are double headers.
That's actually very reasonable!
Hi,
Can agree that Castle Combe is a great paddock and all competitors are welcoming. I have raced there for the last 20 years and always found it to be a wonderful Club.
I race my blue Westfield in Class B and live near the circuit, so if you need any advise or help, just let me know.
Looking forward to meeting everyone again through the season.
Alan Hamilton #56
Can agree that Castle Combe is a great paddock and all competitors are welcoming. I have raced there for the last 20 years and always found it to be a wonderful Club.
I race my blue Westfield in Class B and live near the circuit, so if you need any advise or help, just let me know.
Looking forward to meeting everyone again through the season.
Alan Hamilton #56
ajh349 said:
Hi,
Can agree that Castle Combe is a great paddock and all competitors are welcoming. I have raced there for the last 20 years and always found it to be a wonderful Club.
I race my blue Westfield in Class B and live near the circuit, so if you need any advise or help, just let me know.
Looking forward to meeting everyone again through the season.
Alan Hamilton #56
Is that Class B in the GTs? Due to Ginetta's low road car build numbers, that will be the class I'm in. I think my first race will be in May (travelling for work + angry wife means I can't make the April one) but hoping to get along in March for the media day and will do a few track days at Combe before then as well. Feel free to offer unsolicited advice - I need all the help I can get Can agree that Castle Combe is a great paddock and all competitors are welcoming. I have raced there for the last 20 years and always found it to be a wonderful Club.
I race my blue Westfield in Class B and live near the circuit, so if you need any advise or help, just let me know.
Looking forward to meeting everyone again through the season.
Alan Hamilton #56
Hi, Yes I'm in the GT's. All 7 type cars (Caterham/Westfield) have to be in Class B (Special) due to their high power/weight ratio.
I don't know if this would be the class your car would race in, I'm sure someone could advise.
I'm hoping to get to the media day, so will see you there.
I don't know if this would be the class your car would race in, I'm sure someone could advise.
I'm hoping to get to the media day, so will see you there.
Well as conclusion to this thread, I had my first race meeting yesterday and absolutely loved it. I got absolutely dusted in both races (I'm blaming lack of power, lack of slicks, and lack of talent) but I enjoyed every second and was quite proud of not qualifying last in the torrential rain we had in the morning.
The other racers in the GTs were a great bunch and it felt like a good environment for a novice (as in, nobody punted me off the track)
I'm now watching back my footage and trying to work out where I can find another few seconds before the next meeting!
The other racers in the GTs were a great bunch and it felt like a good environment for a novice (as in, nobody punted me off the track)
I'm now watching back my footage and trying to work out where I can find another few seconds before the next meeting!
LennyM1984 said:
I was driving a Ginetta G40 which looked absolutely tiny compared to the rest of the grid.
Matt, I tried to find you on the day but whilst I could see your car, I couldn't find the owner! How did you get on in the Super Saloons and are you planning to race again in the GTs?
We were all over the place during the day, as we also had a car out in the Saloons, and in the Intermarques too, so with a quali and two races each, we had cars on track in nine of the days sessions.Matt, I tried to find you on the day but whilst I could see your car, I couldn't find the owner! How did you get on in the Super Saloons and are you planning to race again in the GTs?
I think it's quite likely that I'll come and have a play in the GTs later in the year, since the track is so close to home. My next race that I'm making plans for is the Modified Fords round at the start of June at Spa; Monday gave me enough signatures to upgrade my licence and lose the novice cross.
Was pleased in the second race to get my fastest lap into the 1:23's, and getting down into the teens still feels doable, albeit with some work to do to get there ...... setup and growing a pair mainly
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