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Green light signals ‘Go!’ as award-winning Gurston celebrates its 300th event!
At a glance
Location: 9 miles SW of Salisbury, Wiltshire. Turn off the A354 at Coombe Bissett on the unclassified road to Broad Chalke, follow RAC signs.
Dates: Saturday April 26th & Sunday April 27th
Times: Competition from approx. 1300, practice from 0830 both days.
Admission: £10 for adults, accompanied under 15s free, free paddock entry, free parking.
In brief
The new motorsport season roars into action again at Gurston Down Speed Hillclimb, Broad Chalke near Salisbury on April 26th and 27th with two packed days of championship racing against the clock. The weekend promises to be a veritable speed fest as saloons and sports cars, classic and modern, join the awesomely fast sports racing and single seater racing cars. And on Sunday April 27th the motorbikes of the National Hillclimb Association join in the celebrations as Gurston Down marks its 300th meeting at the multi-award winning scenic Wiltshire venue.
Saturday April 26th sees rounds of the BARC and the Hillclimb and Sprint Association Speed Championships, plus there will be invitation classes for Westfields, TVRs, Classic Marques, Volvos and pre-War Austin 7s as well as the usual mix of production-based machines, sports racing cars and single seater racing cars.
On Sunday April 27th the first round of the popular and well-subscribed Gates of Brockenhurst Gurston Down Hillclimb Championship and the BARC SW Top Ten Challenge will take place featuring all the usual classes, with supporting invitation classes for Austin Healeys, Triumph TRs, historic 500cc racing cars and Classic Marques.
As well as the regular mix of four-wheeled competition cars, some of the country’s top riders from the National Hillclimb Association will be wowing the crowds on (sometimes one…) two and three wheels on Sunday 27th too!
Spectator access is unrivalled – you really can’t get closer to the action that at Gurston Down Speed Hillclimb. And with excellent catering and refreshment outlets on site everything is in place for a great value, exciting weekend featuring the best of club motorsport against the clock!
April 27th – the 300th meeting at scenic Gurston Down. Copyright: Simon McBeath / everleyphotography.co.uk
Full details
Saturday’s invitation classes kick off with the pre-War Austin 7s and last year Gordon Tasker took the ‘road’ division in his 7 Special. In the ‘race’ division Colin Danks won on his last visit to Gurston, and is sure to be a factor again.
From pre-war to bang up to date, and in the TVR class expect to see Alan Davies challenge in his 5.0 Chimaera.
Gurston regular Martin Watson will run his 2.0 Westfield SEiW in Saturday’s Westfield Sports Cars class, but Peter Goulding was very quick last April in his similar car.
The Classic Marques run on both days and this class has indeed attracted some classic sports cars from far and wide. Several of the drivers certainly know their way up Gurston; perhaps keep a close eye on Terry Drinkwater in his 2.0 MGA Coupé and Rob Pallett in his 5.0 Ginetta G33.
Sunday’s running will be opened by the TRs and last September John and Jonathon Weedon made it another family one-two in their quick TR5.
In the Austin Healey ‘Big Healey and Warwick Cars’ class look out for a battle at the front between Pat Cooper (3 litre 100/6) and Richard Mason (3.0 3000 Mk 2).
The Sprites always entertain too; expect fireworks from Robin Johnson and Adie Ball in their shared car and Murray Wakeham.
Onto the ‘regular’ Gurston classes and in the up to 2000cc roadgoing series production class a big local contingent is headed by Hannah Wiltshire in her 2.0 Renault Clio Cup and Anthony Record in his rare 1.8 Proton Satria GTi. On Sunday only Gurston’s club secretary Tim Pitfield makes a welcome return to competition in his 1.8 Mazda MX5. But who will win here?
In the over 2000cc roadgoing series production class on Saturday, husband and wife Sean and Sarah Fudge battle it out in their shared 2.0t Subaru Impreza WRX and pit themselves against Brian Marshall’s 3.2t Porsche 944 turbo, while on Sunday Sarah sits it out as Sean and Brian take on the rapid Stephen Moore in his 2.0t Mitsubishi Evo 6, Simon Neve in his 2.3t Evo 6 and Lewis and Deborah Fanner in their shared 2.5t Subaru Impreza WRX.
The roadgoing specialist production class always produces some rapid machinery, and on Saturday locals Adrian Lewis (1.3 Westfield Megabusa) and Andrew Thorpe (5.0 TVR Griffith) are joined by James Lyons Snr and James Lyons Jnr , both from Wales, in their 1.6 Raw Striker. On Sunday it’s all change with Martin Watson moving back into his usual class with his 2.0 Westfield SEiW and among others is joined by Piers Thynne in his tricky to tame turbocharged 1.3t Westfield Megabusa.
In the modified limited production marque sports cars up to 2000cc Simon Purcell has rebuilt his 1.4s Lotus Exige and will be hoping for a good result. Taking him on are mother and daughter Dee Stapley and Steph Limb in their shared 1.8 MGF.
The over 2000cc modified limited production marque sports car class is also packed with local drivers. Fastest here last year was Graham Beale in his turbocharged 2.0 Ginetta G33, and close behind were Steve Holley in his 5.2 TVR Griffith and Bob Mortimer in his 2.7 Porsche 911. But Tim Painter and co-driver Andy Fraser will debut their recently acquired 3.6 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, which ran well at the test day earlier in the month, and this car will be quick once the pair are fully familiar with it.
Tim Painter and Andy Fraser (pictured) will go well in their gorgeous Porsche 911 GT3 Cup. Copyright: Simon McBeath / everleyphotography.co.uk
The up to 1400cc modified series production class is packed with classic Minis as usual, Jim White, the class record holder looking favourite in his highly developed 1.4 Mini Clubman. Graham Masters and former Gurston champion Derek Mullis (who has ascended Gurston over 1000 times now!) will be chasing. Look out too on Saturday for a rare sight in speed hillclimbing, the 1.3 Austin A35 of Andrew Young and Robert Frost.
In the up to 2000cc modified series production class another former Gurston champion, current comp. sec. Paul Webster will run his familiar 1.9 Mazda MX5 and finds himself up against some very fast opposition in the form of Colin Satchell and Paul Drowne in their ultra-quick shared 2.0 Peugeot 205 GTi.
Paul Drowne (pictured) and Colin Satchell look like they will be very quick this season… Copyright: Simon McBeath / everleyphotography.co.uk
The over 2000cc modified series production saloon class sees Richard Hillyar run alone in his 2.0t Renault 21 on Saturday but he is joined by rapid son and father team Adrian and David Flagg in their shared 2.0t Subaru Impreza on Sunday.
The amalgamated modified specialist production class pits Ritchie Gatt, last year’s Gurston Championship runner up in his 2.0 Westfield SEiW against the 2.3 Westfield of third in the 2013 Championship and former champion Mike Rudge. Look out for fast times here then!
The over 2000cc modified series production sports cars feature two locals in very desirable cars, Mark Walker in his 3.4 Porsche Cayman S and Mike Butler in his 2.0t Toyota Celica GT4.
The Historically Interesting class always brings out some lovely machinery, and two Gurston regulars head the field here, Fyrth Crosse in his 1.6 Ensign LNF3 and Hugh Kemp in his 1.6 Palliser WDF3.
The pace really hots up as we get to the up to 2000cc sports libre class, and among the front runners will be Gurston Championship sponsor Jonathan Gates and co-driver Peter Sexton aboard their shared 1.3 supercharged Force LM. The New Forest pairing gave notice of intent on the car’s re-engined debut last September as both dipped well under the 30 second barrier. What odds one of these two could set Best Time of the Day?
Peter Sexton and Jonathan Gates (pictured) could challenge for BTD in their 1.3 supercharged Force LM. Copyright: Simon McBeath / everleyphotography.co.uk
The over 2000cc sports libre class will see Chris Cannell and Sue Hayes share their twin-engined Force SR8 on Saturday, taking on Keith Diggle who now has a 2.2 litre Ford BDX engine in his self-constructed WEV HCS, which sees him move up from the under 2000cc class. On Sunday it’s just Cannell versus Diggle, and either could snatch BTD with a good run.
The 500 Owners Association field is small but high quality, with Alistair Dent (Hornet F3) and John Dent (Cooper Mk 8) running on Saturday and being joined by Stuart Barnes (Iota P1.01) on Sunday.
In the up to 1100cc racing car class we will see regular top spot sparring partners James Moore in his 1.1 OMS 2000M and the Kemp Brothers, Calum and Euan in their 1.1 OMS PR joined on Sunday only by the rapid John Oxborrow in his self-constructed OX7, John having set fastest time in the recent Gurston test day.
Former Westfield pilots Roger Labbett and Andrew Abbey make up the Formula Ford class on Sunday in their shared Jamun M91.
And in a new class for 2014, for racing cars up to 1985, long time Gurston supporters Brian and Adrian Moody go in their iconic 1.6 Ralt RT3, this the chassis type that took Ayrton Senna and Martin Brundle, to name but two, onto the next rung of the career ladder back in the day!
The up to 1600cc racing car class ought to be the property of Peter D. Smith and Richard Gaylard in their rapid 1.6 Force, and with sub-30 second runs a possibility, a BTD challenge could come from these two. These two are joined on both days by Paul Morgan in his 1.1 Morgan G.S Special and on Saturday by Gurston debutant Pete Hammock in his 1.6 OMS CF04.
The up to 2000cc racing car class sees two well-travelled returnees, Andrew Dinner coming up from Cornwall to run his 2.0 Pilbeam MP82 on Saturday only, and Andy McBeath coming down from Cambridgeshire to go in his 1.3 supercharged OMS 25 on both days. Former Top Ten Challenge winner McBeath ought to have the edge and should be in the mix for BTD.
Andy McBeath could be a BTD challenger in his rapid OMS 25. Copyright: Simon McBeath / everleyphotography.co.uk
Not to be missed either are the Channel Island ‘sand racers’. Running on both days are Peter Jory and Scott Rayson in their respective big V8-powered Chevrolet Specials along with Peter Clarke and Tara Harvey in their shared Jaguar-engined Jagernought.
And on Saturday the four-wheeled entry rounds out with the HSA Speed Championship classes.
On Sunday, among the bikers will be former outright bike hill record holder and still multiple class record holder Glyn Poole from Northampton on his 500cc Honda CR and recent ‘fastest biker’ Sam Matthewman on his 1080cc Suzuki TL, again making the long trip down from York.
Glyn Poole on a charge into Karousel on his Honda CR. Copyright: Simon McBeath / everleyphotography.co.uk
Could one of the sports libre cars set Best Time of the Day? Which drivers are going to be the top contenders in the 2014 Gurston Championship? Come and watch the spectacular close-quarters racing against the clock over the weekend, and be a part of the 300th meeting at Gurston Down Speed Hillclimb on April 27th.
Record breaking venue
Gurston Down made speed hillclimbing history again over the winter after being voted ‘Best British Hillclimb Championship event organiser’ for a record ninth time and for the third year in succession. This award is recognition of not just the professional organisation but also the friendly competitive, atmosphere that the organising team brings to all the events at Gurston Down.
Test Day highlights
Drizzly but mild conditions did little to dampen spirits at the Gurston Test Day on Sunday April 6th as a healthy turnout of BARC SW Centre members blew away the winter cobwebs from their competition cars. Despite the drizzle easing from time to time the track remained greasy at best so times were academic, but quickest overall was John Oxborrow in his self-constructed 1000c OX7 single seater. In fact John was fastest in both the morning and the afternoon sessions, setting his best after lunch on 35.89s and looking quick in the prevailing conditions. Keith Diggle was second quickest overall with a 37.21s time set in the morning in his now 2.2 litre WEV HCS, Keith obviously moving into the over 2000cc sports libre class this season. Next up was the rapid 2.0 Peugeot 205 GTi of Colin Satchell, just half a second adrift of Diggle, and co-driver Paul Drowne was fifth quickest overall another half second behind. Intervening between the Pug pilots was Lewis Fanner in his Subaru Impreza. The pre-test favourite for BTD, Terry Graves, now aboard the beautifully re-liveried ex-Rob Turnbull Gould GR55 HB V8, only managed one run in the morning thanks to what transpired to be low on-board battery voltage that meant the car refused to run again until too late in the day. Nevertheless Terry will undoubtedly be quick in this car.
John Oxborrow set quickest time at the Test Day on April 6th in his 1.0 litre OX7. Copyright: Simon McBeath / everleyphotography.co.uk
Some new car/driver combinations were also on hand, including the Formula Ford Jamun M91 of former Westfield pilots Roger Labbett and Andrew Abbey. Class sponsor Tim Painter and co-driver Andy Fraser fielded their latest gorgeous Porsche Cup 911 GT3. And Anthony Record brought out his latest machine, a Proton Satria GTi hatchback.
The full list of times is available here, courtesy of the lovely folk at TSL.
Look out for the full preview of the April 26/27th weekend’s events soon!
Seasonal pre-preview!
April 26th & 27th will once again see the drivers getting to grips with Gurston’s challenging sweeps and curves! Meanwhile, name this driver hurtling into Hollow in early 2009… (Copyright: Simon McBeath / everleyphotography.co.uk)
The new season gets underway again at Gurston Down Speed Hillclimb with what promise to be two packed championship events on April 26th and 27th, with the entry lists filling rapidly.
On Saturday 26th the BARC and the Hillclimb and Sprint Association will hold rounds of their Speed Championships, plus there will be special classes for Westfields, TVRs, Classic Marques, Volvos and pre-War Austin 7s as well as the usual mix of production-based machines, sports racing cars and single seater racing cars.
On Sunday 27th the first round of the popular and well-subscribed Gates of Brockenhurst Gurston Down Hillclimb Championship and the BARC SW Top Ten Challenge will take place featuring all the usual classes, with supporting invitation classes for Austin Healeys, Triumph TRs, historic 500cc racing cars and Classic Marques.
And as well as the regular mix of four-wheeled competition cars, the motorbikes from the National Hillclimb Association will be wowing the crowds on Sunday 27th too.
April 27th will also see the 300th meeting held at Gurston Down since the inaugural event in 1967, and the entry is sure to be full of drivers (and riders) who have been coming to Gurston for many years. This is going to be a really special club event, definitely one not to be missed!
There will be a full preview in early April once the entry lists have been published, so keep up to speed on this web site and on Facebook and Twitter.