Castle Combe Autumn Classic – Nearly too loud to race !

Building on the success of 2012’s inaugural Castle Combe Autumn Classic, the 2013 event promised to be bigger and better but certainly not louder!! Castle Combe is renowned for its noise restrictions, especially since 2005 when the future of motorsport was under threat after villagers in nearby Yatton Keynell, complained to the district council that the noise from the circuit was too loud. North Wiltshire Council noise experts agreed and served an order on the circuit. Noise limits almost put a stop to Bill Rawles & Mark Potters fun !!!!

An early start, mist lying low and the sun stll rising

On Sunday 06th October 13, there was an early start, arriving at the circuit by 8am, the sun still low in the sky, the mist lying low and still no clear indication of the weather conditions that would prevail. The morning was predominantly occupied with scrutineering and qualifying, before the race action took place after lunch. With Thursdays track day under their belt and Sundays scrutineering passed, it was time for the Rawles/Potter combo to take to the circuit, with the other highly competitive Austin Healey drivers, for the qualifying session

108 decibels was the acceptable noise level and apparently we were producing 125

Mark Potters Austin Healey 3000 MK 1 was deemed too loud to be permitted to go out on the track to qualify, despite no previous indications that the race car was omitting too many decibels. This triggered a whole catalogue of emotions from frustration, anger, disappointment, giving in and going home to determination, fighting back and perseverance to race. With time passing by too quickly it was essential to get to work to come up with a suitable solution and a feasible plan to be able to race. 

The event was well attended with classic car enthusiasts

To cut a long story short it turned out that the test equipment was faulty; qualifying had to be carried out with a different grid and resulted in being given a qualifying position of 16 out of 24 cars. With qualifying complete, the lunch break enabled competitors and spectators to mingle, socialise and admire the array of classic cars assembled in a paddock bursting with excitement and a jubilant atmosphere. The Healey Driver International, Big Healey Challenge (2 driver) was scheduled as race number 3 of the afternoon, with an impressive grid of 24 Healeys  and 39 drivers.

David Grace proudly displaying the winners garland

As usual, the Healey race was fast, exciting and very competitive with the Austin Healey 100 models battling out for the Dave Hardy Memorial Trophy and the Austin Healey 3000 models fiercely competing for The Tim Rogers Memorial Trophy. The race saw its fair share of breath taking moments, skilful driving and dicing for places, unfortunately the safety car was deployed for a couple of laps towards the end of the race  and 3 Healeys were damaged and did not finish. The 45 minute race culminated with the chequered flag being waved at the Austin Healey 3000 MKI, driven by Anders Schildt and David Grace, completing the 28 laps in 44 minutes 03.241 seconds, winning by about 10 seconds from Chatham/Cox who claimed second place in there Austin Healey 3000. Third place position went to Clarkson/Williams in an Austin Healey 3000 MKI, going over the line just over 11 seconds after the winners. Despite the noise and late qualifying problems that Bill Rawles and Mark Potter faced, they had a fantastic race, enjoying every minute and finished 15^th.

The Dave Hardy Memorial Trophy presented by Izzy Hardy

The Tim Rogers Memorial Trophy for the Austin Healey 3000 class was won by Anders/Grace and presented by Tims daughter while The Dave Hardy Memorial Trophy for the Austin Healey 100 class was won by Thorne/Todd, who crossed the finishing line in 7th position. This trophy was presented by Izzy Hardy, Dave Hardys grandaughter. In summary the whole event was very successful and we look forward to competing again in 2014. To see our photographic record of the day please take a look at our face book Castle Combe 2013 Autumn Classic Album