Each year I look forward to the Guild of Motoring Writers track day at Castle Combe circuit on the fringe of the glorious Cotswolds in leafy Wiltshire.
Initially formed in 1944 by a group of Fleet Street motoring hacks as a dining club, such was the enthusiasm of the new membership that its remit quickly became wider ranging and at the AGM December 1946, its name changed to the Guild of Motoring Writers.
During the intervening 78 years the Guild created an enviable alumnus of well-known motoring writers including legends such as Peter Garnier, editor of Autocar and Basil Cardew of the Daily Express. Freelancers included Ray Massey and Tony Dron, also a successful racing driver in his own right.
And so, it was in bright spring weather Guild members gathered at Combe Tuesday 15th April bringing a truly diverse fusion of bolides spanning 90+ years including 1934 MG PB, Lotus 6, VW Beetle, Lotus Cortina, Morgan +4, Ferrari and 4-litre Talbot Lago T150C (below) driven by John Guyette.
Also, a plethora of road-driven Porsche, Mazda, BMW, Fiat, Alpha Romeo and Alpine cars which perhaps provided a rare insight into the personal penchants of those who write motoring and motor sport features and reports. Adding support to the day were longtime Guild patrons Suzuki, who provided the latest Swift and Vitara models from their range to road test on the challenging B-roads around the popular circuit.
Although almost all drivers had experienced the 1·8-mile Castle Combe track, but the day started with a briefing by racing school instructor and former saloon car champion Tony Dolley with veteran track manager Mike Skelton reinforcing flag signals, safety protocols and track etiquette before the first batch of 12 cars took to the circuit for the first of several 15-minute sessions running throughout the day.
During the lunch break, Chris Aylett, CEO of the Motorsport Industry Association gave a short resume of the £12bn-a-year UK motorsport industry, which it represents globally. This included insights into the annual analysis and forecast it will shortly present to the UK Government but currently embargoed.
Chris was around for much of the day increasing awareness among Guild journalists of the pivotal role played by the MIA in one UK automotive sector which can genuinely claim to be a world leader and its potential to be a source of regular, substantial motorsport and motor industry stories.
Students of Guild history will recall that the day mimicked the traditional test days the Guild held at Silverstone in the 1960s, when almost every car manufacturer provided the Press with examples of their current model range to track test. These annual events were well supported by the Society of Motoring Manufacturers & Traders.
The busy track day went without incident and the happy band of writers and snappers visited Guild president and Pink Floyd drummer Nick Mason’s nearby home for afternoon tea. Later, Guild chairman Simon Harris presented an evocative image of Nick driving a RBR F1 car at the 2024 Goodwood Festival of Speed, taken by Guild photographer Jeff Bloxham. Earlier that day Nick had returned from Bahrain where he had been guesting for a F1 team at the 2025 grand prix.
© Images Mike Stokes & Ken Davies
