6th Castle Combe Summer Series

Story posted April 21

Event Press Release

Thursday 1st May will see the first round of the popular  Castle Combe Summer Series.  Now in its sixth year, the series has grown from six events in its first year to ten in its second and then onto the fifteen events that have now become a major feature of the South Division  race calendar, and it continues to go from strength to strength.

The senior event is a handicap race held over 17 laps (51 kilometres) of the motor racing circuit.  The original concept of the series has continued to thrive, "simple racing providing something for everyone"  in that E/1/2's had a hard workout but at the same time the handicaps are generous enough that with some organised riding by both the separate 3rd and 4th cat groups they can and have stayed away to take the all important places and points.   Prizes are awarded at the end of the series, and for the seniors in 2007 almost £2,500 was paid out to over 60 riders who scored points.

2008  will see a change to the organisation of the individual events, whereby in previous years, the series has been  run as a co-operative of a number of clubs in the North of the South Division all taking turns to promote their event on their respective evening.  This year the series  committee have decided to utilise a pool of volunteers who will be responsible for the event on a particular evening, rather than passing the baton on a weekly basis.

Riders who have contested the series in recent years include Alex Higham  and Neil Coleman (both now  Plowman Craven), Lee Davis (now Pinarello RT), Matt and Luke Rowe (both now Rapha Condor/Recycling), Grant Bayton and Ben Luckwell (both now Sport Beans/Wilier) and Nic Tilling and  Peter Kench (GWR Team), but the organisers stress that it is a fine opportunity for the less experienced rider to sample racing.

Last years series winner Grant Bayton commented "The series continues to get better and  better, they are never easy to win when you are already handicapped over a lap down."  He went on "They have become a key part of my build up to the longer harder races as I find these races give me the zip that I need."

A healthy, and extremely well supported,  programme of Youth races are also promoted as part of the weekly series, and these  events you can be sure to see some excellent racing  with the Under 8s/10s/12s using a circuit based on the pit lane while the Under 14s/16s use the main circuit, while  some of the more experienced Youth riders even mix it with the senior riders.   Prizes for the Youth events are paid out on the night, and for 2008 it is planned to have a small trophy for each race winner.

Further developments for  2008, will see the acquisition of a digital camera to help with the bunch finishes, and also the setting up of a series website www.castlecombesummerseries.org.uk where all the latest news and results and overall standings wltl be uploaded.  To further highlight the success of the series, the committee plan to promote some open road races, for 2009, so that those who have used the Castle Combe Series can progress to the next level.

The Thursday evening events start with the Youth races from 7pm (Under 8s £2, Under 10/12/14/16 £3), while the senior event starts at 7.30pm (£10). All Entry on the line only.  The final event in the series takes place on Thursday 7th August

For more information please contact Robert Adams, Series Co-Ordinator on 07901 507 356 or email: robhughadams@hotmail.com