Historic Race Day at Castle Combe Circuit | National Car Race Meeting - 7th October 1950

Step back in time to the exhilarating National Car Race Meeting at Castle Combe Circuit on Saturday, 7th October 1950! This video captures the essence of a pivotal day in British motor racing, a high point for the club after weeks of intensive organisation and hard work.

Under the International Sporting Code and R.A.C. regulations, the event was a true spectacle. The circuit, a challenging 3,139-yard (just over 1 mile) course, featured unbanked, road-like corners and numerous fast bends, pushing race averages to an impressive 70-80 mph. Despite initial drizzles and gales, the course quickly dried, ensuring a successful day of racing.

Join us as we explore the action, with meticulous timekeeping by officials like Major J.W. Barber and A.J. Gibbons, and live commentary by J.P. McCormick and W.G. Kay keeping the public informed throughout the day.

*Race Highlights:*

*Race 3 (1100cc Racing Cars):* Witness the assembly on the grid with drivers such as *#43 W.S. Aston (Cooper-J.A.P.)* and *#54 W.H. Bristow (Alta)**. The front row boasted talent including **#55 Eric Thompson (Cooper)* and **#52 Ken Wharton (Cooper-J.A.P.)**. **Ken Wharton**, the "irrepressible trials driver" and Hill-climb Champion, dominated this ten-lap race, securing a cracking start and an ever-increasing lead to finish almost a full lap ahead of his rivals.
*500cc Race Start:* Experience the thrill from ground level as the 500cc cars, including *#26(?) Tom Clarke (Iota)* and **#34(?) P.K. Braid (Cooper)**, begin their race, marked by the traditional drop of the Union Jack. Special starting procedures for 500cc cars involved a warming-up half-lap behind a pilot car to prevent air-cooled engines from overheating.
*Race 4 (1500cc Racing Cars):* At the Folly section, catch sight of legends like *#57 Bob Gerard (E.R.A.)* and *#60 Peter or Graham Whitehead (E.R.A.)**. **Bob Gerard's immaculate B/C Type E.R.A.* led from start to finish. There's also drama with *#65 John Green's E.R.A. stopped* and **#58 J. Ching's Bugatti smoking**.
*500s Final (Race 6):* At Avon Rise, this ten-lap final saw a fierce "ding-dong battle" between *#24 Peter Collins (Cooper)* and R.M. Dryden, with Collins ultimately winning by a mere two lengths. Don't miss the moment *#10(?) Austen Nurse (Cooper)* has a half-spin, an echo of an earlier incident where his car "preferred grass to tarmac". His Cooper is later seen on a trailer in the paddock.
*Paddock Scenes & Sports Cars:* Explore the vibrant Old Paddock, showcasing a diverse range of *sports cars* like a *Frazer Nash and an F.N.-B.M.W.**. You’ll see a **rear-engined Cooper**, and **#20 Paul Emery in his unique Emeryson* (a 500cc car with its power unit ahead of the pilot). Keep an eye out for *#10 John Buncombe with his H.R.G. sports car* and **#9 R.F. Peacock in a Frazer Nash B.M.W.**.
*Celebrity Spotting:* In the paddock, **#6 Joan Gerard (Frazer Nash)**, a formidable driver in her own right, is seen signing autographs, alongside her renowned husband, **Bob Gerard**, whose E.R.A. brought home many international successes.
*Race 8 (Sports Cars over 2000cc):* The paddock also features preparations for this race, including **#23 R.E.B. Williams in a Bentley**. This race was dominated by **S. Allard in his Cadillac-engined J2 Allard**, who finished nearly a lap ahead of **G.M. Crozier's "The Whale" Barnato-Hassan 8-litre Bentley**.
*Race 9 (Formula Libre):* The final race of the day saw *B.N. Shawe-Taylor (E.R.A.)* lead unchallenged throughout, breaking his own lap record multiple times. *Stirling Moss (H.W.M.)* and P.H. Whitehead (E.R.A.) fought fiercely for second and third place, with Moss finishing with a "blackened nose" on his H.W.M..

*Circuit Insights:*
Drivers offered varied opinions on the Castle Combe circuit: C.H. Headland found it "bumpy and certain cambers on corners a bit odd", while G.M. Crozier noted his large Bentley was "a handful on a course which consists largely of bends and corners" and "very heavy on tyres". Stirling Moss himself described it as a "very sporting nature" course, suggesting a full resurfacing would be needed for international events.

This historic meeting was a testament to the passion and dedication of the Bristol Motor-Cycle and Light Car Club, with praise from spectators for the organisation, commentary, and car park management.

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