Castle Combe Circuit has announced the renaming of two corners of the 1.85-mile Wiltshire race track to commemorate a duo who played vital roles in the development of the venue.
With immediate effect, the swooping left-kinked straight previously known as Hammerdown will officially become ‘Howard’s Way’ (in memory of Howard Strawford), with the following tight right-hander previously called Tower now being known as ‘Gooch’s’ (in memory of Rodney Gooch).
Graham Marshallsay, Managing Director of Castle Combe Circuit, explains the significance behind this news. “Howard Strawford and Rodney Gooch were both crucial in making Castle Combe what it is today. The venue’s success story is largely thanks to their passion and dedication over the past few decades, and we feel this is the perfect way to permanently acknowledge their lasting contributions.”
Howard Strawford (1935-2013)
Dubbed by many as ‘the saviour of the circuit’, Howard Strawford is well known for transforming Castle Combe into what it is today.
Owning the venue since 1976, Strawford promptly founded Castle Combe Circuit Limited and spent the next 35 years turning Combe from a facility on the brink of closure, with a turnover of £15,000 a year and one part-time employee, into a thriving, multi-million-pound operation; now employing 20 people full-time and over 100 part-time.
Strawford’s legacy lives on through wife Pat, daughters Karen and Emma, son-in-law Graham and grandsons George and Oscar. The family remains a major part of the management team at the Circuit.
Rodney Gooch (1946-2019)
A motorcycle racer throughout the ‘60s and ‘70s, Rodney Gooch worked with the management team at Castle Combe Circuit for over 22 years as the Sales and Marketing Director, responsible for promoting and increasing exposure of the venue.
A man who worked tirelessly for the circuit he loved, Rodney’s self-effacing manner and tremendous humour built him a reputation far beyond the Wiltshire track.
During his time at Combe, Gooch was pivotal in pioneering now-staple features such as motorcycle track days, the ever-popular Grand National annual motorcycle race meeting, and partnerships with key companies such as Fowlers Motorcycles.
Howard’s Race Day
The first Castle Combe Racing Club race meeting of 2026 will be Howard’s Race Day (bank holiday Monday, 6 April) – further honouring the legacy of Howard Strawford with a full day of competitive club motorsport.
Howard’s Race Day will mark the return of the CCRC ‘home’ championships to the circuit, as well as welcoming guest series such as the Welsh Racing Drivers Association.
Fans can expect close early-season racing, open paddocks, trade stands, and the traditional sense of occasion that always makes this event a special start to the Castle Combe calendar.
Autumn Classic
Another event to commemorate Howard Strawford during the 2026 season is the Autumn Classic historic racing festival, set to descend on the venue on 12-13 September.
Featuring jam-packed grids of historic race cars from various prestigious series across the two days, as well as stunning displays in the paddocks, the Autumn Classic is unmissable for any historic motorsport fans.
This year, the event will celebrate 50 years of Strawford’s transformative Castle Combe Circuit Limited, featuring various special displays from 1976 – the year he acquired and began upgrading the venue to become the one we know and love today.
About Castle Combe Circuit
Celebrating its 76th continuous year as a race track in 2026, Wiltshire’s Castle Combe Circuit has been affectionately known as ‘the West Country’s home of motorsport’ for many decades now.
The fast-flowing 1.85-mile circuit and its scenic surrounding paddocks play host a wide selection of popular car and motorcycle shows, track days and driving experiences each year, as well as a calendar of thrilling race meetings hosted by the in-house Castle Combe Racing Club.
– To find out more about Castle Combe Circuit and its fleet of events, track days and experiences it offers throughout each year, please head to castlecombecircuit.co.uk.
Image credits: Jack Flash Photography / Oliver Read