INTEREST in old cars seems to grow without limits and at Castle Combe Circuit, over the weekend of Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 July, there are two days of indulgence for those who like to see classic cars being pushed to their limits.

The track’s ‘Retro Race Weekend’ is being run in conjunction with the Classic Sports Car Club, a very successful organisation specialising in running series and races purely for older cars and which happens to be based in Corsham.

This is Castle Combe’s first ‘double header’ of the year for four wheeled machinery and each day is packed with races for almost every conceivable type of classic race car. As you might expect, MGs and Jaguars will feature strongly, with championship races for both marques. Relatively standard, road going, MGBs and MGCs will contrast with the fully modified V8s, where the thunder from their immensely powerful engines will surely tingle the soul! The Jaguars will be similarly contrasting, with classes for both standard and modified cars. The XJ6 and XJS are popular and will make a spectacular sight over the sweeps and crests of the 1.85 mile circuit.

Sunday’s 40 minute ‘Swinging 60’s’ race sees everyone’s favourite sports and saloon cars in close competition. Watch out for V8 engined Mustangs, Sunbeam Tigers and TVR Tuscans being hounded by the surprisingly fast smaller cars, many from the ‘BMC’ stable.

There are also 40 minute enduros for the ‘Future Classics’ series and the more modern ‘Tin Tops’ series. The former has everything from Alfas to Maseratis, with plenty of Porsches, TVRs and even Pontiacs thrown in! The Tin Tops are where the older ‘hatchbacks’ such as Clios, Civics, MG ZRs and Fiestas play.

Saturday’s ‘Modern Classics’ race is for cars built before the year 2000, so that gives plenty of scope for variety!

As if that were not enough, the circuit’s own championships for ‘Saloon Cars’, Formula Ford 1600 single seaters and ‘Sports and GT’ cars, will feature on both days, with qualifying each morning and racing in the afternoon.

Full details on the event can be found at www.castlecombecircuit.co.uk or 01249 782417. Tickets can be purchased in advance and include free Paddock Transfer (£2.50 on the day, applies Sunday only).