CASTLE COMBE CIRCUIT TO HOST WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP EVENT Following a circuit inspection by Max Deubel, four times World Sidecar Champion, representing the FIM (Federation Internationale de Motocyclisme), Mick Boddice, nine times TT winner and three times British Champion representing the ACU (Motorcycle sports’ UK governing body) and ten times World Champion Steve Webster offering advice on behalf of the teams and riders, the green light has been given for Castle Combe to host its first ever World Championship event. The British round of the FIM Superside World Sidecar Championship will headline the two day meeting on Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th June 2006. The meeting will also feature the now established and very popular Castle Combe Superbike Grand National, attracting teams and riders from the prestigious British Superbike Championship. Following the inspection last week, Carsten Sauer, the organiser of the World Series, confirmed that Castle Combe would run the second round of the eight round championship which also visits Germany, Holland, Austria and Sweden. The approach to the circuit came after the event was recommended to the organisers by several of the sidecar drivers and proves that the increasing popularity of the Superbike Grand National event and the escalating reputation the circuit now enjoys with both British and European organisers. Carsten Sauer, the German based organiser of the championship said: “We were looking for circuits to demonstrate an ability to promote our championship. We are expecting riders from several continents to be contesting this year’s championship and Castle Combe Circuit have convinced us that they will put in the necessary promotion that an event of this status deserves”. Graham Marshallsay, Managing Director of Castle Combe Circuit added: “This will be the first world championship event in Castle Combe’s 56 year history and we have demonstrated with our two Superbike meetings that we can attract large crowds and believe that this world class event coming to Wiltshire will generate huge publicity within the motorcycle fraternity and be a wonderful spectacle for our spectators. We are honoured and delighted to have welcomed Max, Steve and Mick and to hear their views on the circuit and look forward to working with them and with the Superside competitors to make this the highlight of their racing season”. Backing up the Superside championship race will be the third running of the Castle Combe Superbike Grand National and already Virgin Mobile Yamaha have confirmed the team will again be supporting the meeting with last year’s winner Tommy Hill hoping to retain his title. Support races include the new ACU Star Championship, dubbed the Pop Idol of motorcycle racing with the aim of the championships being to uncover the next generation of British motorcycling superstars. Other races include the newly announced KTM Bracken Cup and the Ducati Desmo Championship.