Castle Combe lap times
Discussion
Great first visit to Castle Combe Circuit on a very hot summers day with my 2018 TTRS running low 1:16’s (stock engine, lowered springs w/oem MagneRide dampers, AP racing discs and calipers, Nankang AR1 tyres).
Really enjoyed the track; the speed, mix of corners, a nice surface and width that gives plenty of options with lines.
In my opinion the most important parts for laptime are: 1:Getting on the power as early as possible through the apex of Camp. 2:exiting the esses and being able to get left to mid track and carrying speed through Old Paddock all the way to Tower. 3: entering bobbies with a late enough first apex so you can power out the second and down to Camp.
I found Camp was where I left the most on the table and I think it’s a corner you build up to over time.
https://youtu.be/PKSIwK3bfPU
Really enjoyed the track; the speed, mix of corners, a nice surface and width that gives plenty of options with lines.
In my opinion the most important parts for laptime are: 1:Getting on the power as early as possible through the apex of Camp. 2:exiting the esses and being able to get left to mid track and carrying speed through Old Paddock all the way to Tower. 3: entering bobbies with a late enough first apex so you can power out the second and down to Camp.
I found Camp was where I left the most on the table and I think it’s a corner you build up to over time.
https://youtu.be/PKSIwK3bfPU
Heres a little footage of my Accord on track at Combe. Was my second ever time on track and my brakes died after about 6 laps.
https://youtu.be/vbX5Z99HsJg
Looking at time stamps on the video my best time was about 1:30 – quite happy with that for a complete novice!
https://youtu.be/vbX5Z99HsJg
Looking at time stamps on the video my best time was about 1:30 – quite happy with that for a complete novice!
I was at Combe today with Fifth Gear. Plato put my totally stock Celica GT-Four ST205 WRC around at 1min 25secs and that was on s
t road tyres (Pirelli Cinturato P7), road brakes, road everything to be honest, bless him. He also put the new Yaris GR4 around in 1min 17sec. That was on a damp track today after a freezing start and mist that lasted almost to sunset. It was awesome to watch!!!!!!!!!!!!
The Celica is a UK 1994 in completely standard road fettle and 98K miles on the clock.
t road tyres (Pirelli Cinturato P7), road brakes, road everything to be honest, bless him. He also put the new Yaris GR4 around in 1min 17sec. That was on a damp track today after a freezing start and mist that lasted almost to sunset. It was awesome to watch!!!!!!!!!!!!The Celica is a UK 1994 in completely standard road fettle and 98K miles on the clock.
Edited by meirionGT4 on Friday 27th November 00:14
I'd be surprised if he wasn't achieving those sorts of times in a milk float, let alone a 25yr old Toyota coupe. People like Plato are a different breed, like test pilots. They don't have that fear barrier where your average Joe would stop to crap himself. A breed that's dying out, but one that's totally necessary for development.
A friend and I were at Combe for the first time last month and we were lapping 1.19/1.20. I was in an Exige and my friend in a modified Golf TCR.
A friend and I were at Combe for the first time last month and we were lapping 1.19/1.20. I was in an Exige and my friend in a modified Golf TCR.
When you see the home race championships the saloons top class can do a 1.11 the 1600 formula fords 1.10 hot hatch 1.13 and the gt 1.05. Puts in reality of the difference between a track day car which can be very quick and a full out race then you have the now banned prototypes doing low 1mins.
Its not only plato and the likes of the pro racers that can get serious quick times at combe.
Its not only plato and the likes of the pro racers that can get serious quick times at combe.
Many of the home circuit championship drivers have been racing there for years and years though, the level of circuit knowledge they have is impressive to say nothing about their commitment, particularly at Tower corner. You rarely get guest drivers in fast cars, mostly it’s signature hunters, so it’s hard to compare the regulars with a guest
pablo said:
Many of the home circuit championship drivers have been racing there for years and years though, the level of circuit knowledge they have is impressive to say nothing about their commitment, particularly at Tower corner. You rarely get guest drivers in fast cars, mostly it’s signature hunters, so it’s hard to compare the regulars with a guest
It’s a very interesting track and much harder to learn and perfect than I expected. In fact to start with I would say I really didn’t enjoy it. I had never raced there until last year when we had a round there. I tested on the Friday expecting to pick it up after a few sessions like most other tracks, however I left after a full days testing scratching my head about where to find the extra time and not enjoying the track.The 15 minute quali was the same, then the 20 minute race one i started to find a rythem. By the end of the second race I was starting to enjoy the track and find time I didn’t realise was available. Looking forward to going back!
Certainly a track you need to spend some real time getting to grips with.
On the Friday test I couldn’t get below a 1:10 by the end of the second race we were doing low 1:08’s. I believe with some more seat time at the track and a few suspension tweaks low 1:06’s should be doable.
Cool old school track!
Mike
tommy10101 said:
First time on track in the mr2, 1.20 ish lap times.
https://youtu.be/WxlVC-vec0o
Nice! At Combe don’t hold onto the corners too tightly - you need to carry the speed for the longer straights ahead. Looks like a fun day!https://youtu.be/WxlVC-vec0o
Gassing Station | Track Days | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff