April 17th – Meeting Report – Motorbikes

On Sunday, Gurston Down Speed Hill Climb welcomed the National Hill Climb Association (NHCA) for the first time this season. The motorbikes and combinations were spectacular to watch!

The conditions were not really conducive to hill climbing in a car, let alone on a motorbike or combination. The track temperature was low after the over-night frost but it was dry and the sky was clear. The sun soon had the temperature rising….

In the Solo Motor Cycles 251cc to 350cc class, Paul Tilley and his 280cc Honda fought off Mike Lovelock’s Yamaha to win with a time of 43.27s. That might not sound fast but that’s faster than more than 40 of the 140 cars competing on Sunday!

Paul Tilley

Paul Tilley – Copyright Akina Media

There was a big entry in the Solo Motor Cycles 351cc to 500cc class. Tommy Hodge on his Honda Team GV CRF 450cc put in a couple of great times, his best 34.93s gave him the class win. Chris Keates (Honda), Richard Bowker (Honda) and Pete Ford (KTM) were all covered by less than a second. Chris grabbing second with a 36.69s run.

Tommy Hodges

Tommy Hodges – Copyright Akina Media

The Solo Motor Cycles 501cc to 750cc class had another big entry. Mark Short’s Aprilla SXV 550cc took the win with a 35.28s, second run. Ahead of Guy Ursell (KTM), Keith Haines (Aprilla) and Dan Hurley (Husaberg).

Mark Short

Mark Short – Copyright Akina Media

The Solo Motor Cycles 751cc to 1300cc class saw Peter Jeffery on his KTM RC8 1148cc bike win the class with a strong 34.51s run. Second place could have been awarded to any of three riders. It was close, less than 0.3s separated Stuart Mills (Aprilla), Alan Jolly (KTM) and Doug Parnell (Aprilla) who finished second, third and fourth respectively.

Peter Jeffery 2

Paul Jeffery – Copyright Akina Media

If you thought the solo motorcyclists were balmy, wait until you see the side-cars! The rider and pillion race up the hill, the rider laying on their front and the pillion hanging on or sometimes out of the combination! There are no seat belts or restrains to keep them all together!

Patrick and Paul Keates in the Baker F1 won the Sidecar class with a 38.11s run!

Keates

Paul and Patrick Keates – Copyright Akina Media

The meeting closed with a Top Ten Run-off. Paul Jeffery won with an even faster time than his class time at 34.10s. Paul with his Aprilla managed a 1.96s 64ft time which is an acceleration of more than 1g! Over 102mph through the Hollow speed trap and 99.8mph over the finish! An amazing run.

Peter Jeffery

Paul Jeffery – Copyright Akina Media

Thank you to all the riders who came to Gurston Down Speed Hill Climb last Sunday. We look forward to seeing you again in June!

We would like to thank everyone who made the day possible, the NHCA team, the office staff, the marshalls, timekeepers, scrutineers and officials without whom we couldn’t run the meeting. Thanks to Ashley Wood Recovery, TSL Timing, Insight Medical Services, Insight Security and Peter Crutcher from Ringwood PA.

Anthony Record – Press Officer Gurston Down Speed Hill Climb – BARC SW

April 17th Meeting Report

Sunday saw a sharp frost at Gurston Down Speed Hill Climb but the sun was out and it promised to be a glorious day. The meeting was the first round of the Meadens Skoda Gurston Down Championship and the Cavendish Ships Stores BARC SW Top Ten Challenge.

Sunday Morning

Practice was soon under-way. The track and temperature were both warming raising the expectation for another fine day’s competition….

The Volvos started the day’s action. Practice went Richard Conway’s way in the PV544 but that wasn’t to be in the competition runs. Chris Davies’ Amazon edged Kevin Diamond’s Amazon out but just 0.10s.

VolvoAmazon

Chris Davies – Copyright Akina Media

The TR’s were next up. Practice saw Steve Small in his TR7 V8 shine and the competition runs were no different. Roderick Warner (TR7 V8) took second from the TR6 of Nick Smith.

TR7-V8

Steve Small – – Copyright Akina Media

The ‘Big Healey’ Class was won by Richard Mason (3000 Mk 2) with a 39.72s. But it wasn’t an easy win. John Tewson had one timed run and produced a 39.80s only to miss his second timed run. There was less than one second between the top four!

BigH

Richard Mason – Copyright Akina Media

The Austin Healey Sprite Class lost a few after practice. Although Julian Wakeham was fastest in both practice and the timed runs with a convincing 39.19s.

Sunday’s ‘Classic Marques Speed Championship’ Class was close, just like Saturdays. Steve Cox in his TVR V8S (37.51s) took the win. Graham Millar (Mk2 Ford Escort) turned the tables on Matthew Eady in his beautiful Ginetta G4 and earned a second, Matthew having to settle for third by just 0.36s..

TVR

Steve Cox – Copyright Akina Media

The second day of the Mazda MX-5 Class gave Mark Crookall another win in his MK1 RS with a 42.18s run, Dean Cubitt came in just 0.24s behind. There were a few regulars missing from this class this weekend. The class will be one to watch!

MarkC

Mark Crookall – Copyright Akina Media

Paul Webster (his Mazda MX-5 – Stripy) gave the Greenen brothers, Andy and Adam (Honda Civic Type R) a real run for their money today in the Road Going Series Production Class up to 2000cc. Adam, who ran in an earlier batch, posted a 37.99s which gave Andy a tough target, unfortunately he couldn’t beat his brothers time so ended up second. Adam scores 20.36 points in the Championship.

Greenen

Adam Greenen – Copyright Akina Media

The over 2 litre Road Going Series Production Class, Stephen Moore’s, the 2015 Meadens Skoda Gurston Down Champion, time of 34.61s was enough to fend off the Stangle’s Audi TT. Shaun and Sarah Fudge switch classes and ran their Honda Civic in the up to 2000cc class after the Subaru developed an engine problem. Stephen Moore, joint leader in the championship with 21.50 points.

SteveM

Stephen Moore – Copyright Akina Media

Andrew Forsyth in his 1.3 Westfield Megabusa took another class win in the Road Going Specialist Production Class bettering yesterday’s time by 1.5s with a 34.51s.

AF

Andrew Forsyth – Copyright Akina Media

Graham Beale’s Ginetta G20 took the honours in the Modified Limited Production Marque Sports Cars up to 2000cc Class. Graham scores 21.00 points with his win.

Gbeale

Graham Beale – Copyright Akina Media

The over 2000cc Modified Limited Production Marque Sports Car Class saw Simon Purcell’s Lotus Exige take the win (34.57s) with Steve Holley (TVR Griffith) second from Bob Mortimer and his Porsche 911. Simon scores a joint leader score of 21.50.

SPrucell

Simon Purcell – Copyright Akina Media

Derek Mullis won the 1400cc Modified Series Production Class with a 38.44s run. Earning him 21.50 points in the Meadens Skoda Championship.

DerekM

Derek Mullis – Coptright Akina Media

Mark Walker in his Porsche Cayman managed to stave off the Aston Martin Vantage GT4 of Tim Painter by 0.25s. Tim and Andrew Fraser have a light-weight 4.3 supercharged Vantage that’s “in progress”. Can’t wait to see that!

MarkWalker

Mark Walker – Copyright Akina Media

Ritchie Gatt (33.29s) beat Steve Holland to the Over 2000cc Modified Specialist Production Class win in his Westfield Sei to make it two class wins in a row and scores 21.50 points in the championship.

Fyrth Crosse’s Ensign LNF3 won the Historically Interesting Class in 35.16s. Hugh Kemp (Palliser WDF3), couldn’t match Fyrth’s pace, managing 36,31s.

FCrosse

Fyrth Crosse – Copyright Akina Media

Yesterday’s result was reversed in the Sports Libre Class up to 2000cc, Peter Sexton,(Force LM), the Gurston Down Hill Climb Championship sponsor, came in with a 29.81s run in that car he shares with Jonathan Gates, who was second.

PSexton

Peter Sexton – Copyright Akina Media

The over 2000cc Class was dominated by the Force SR8 of Chris Cannell and Sue Hayes who ended the day first and second. Jeffrey Way’s amazing Chevrolet Camero sounded awesome leaving the line. Chris earns 21.50 points with this win.

Jeff Way

Jeff Way – Copyright Akina Media

The 500 Owners Association class was a close run event. Charles Reynard’s Cooper taking the win from Alistair Dent’s Hornet.

David Cuff took the Up to 600cc Racing Car Class in his Jedi Mk4 with an improved time over Saturday.

The 601 to 1100cc Racing Car Class saw Stephen Loadsman (OMS) challenge Tony Levitt’s Empire Evo in the first timed run but he didn’t make the second so lost out to Tony’s first run time of 34.49s.

Levett

Tony Levett – Copyright Akina Media

Russell Haynes in his Zeus won the Formula Ford Class from Paul Morcom.

Zeus

Russell Haynes – Copyright Akina Media

Peter D Smith’s Force took the 1100cc to 1600cc Racing Car Class from Richard Gaylard also in a Force. But it wasn’t to be a repeat of Saturday’s FTD.

The Fastest Time of the Day went to Simon Marsh in the 1601cc to 2000cc Racing Car Forced Induction Class where he beat his brother Peter in their DJ Firehawk. It was, only 0.10s in it!

PMarsh

Simon Marsh – Copyright Akina Media

Ben Stapley made the winners announcements and John Davey from Cavendish Ships Stores, the Cavendish Ships Stores BARC SW Top Ten Challenger sponsor, presented the awards.

marsh

Copyright – Anthony Record

We would like to thank everyone who made the day possible, the office staff, the marshalls, timekeepers, scrutineers and officials without whom we couldn’t run the meeting. Thanks to Ashley Wood Recovery, TSL Timing, Insight Medical Services, Insight Security and Peter Crutcher from Ringwood PA.

Anthony Record – Press Officer Gurston Down Speed Hill Climb – BARC SW

 

April 16th Meeting Report

A rather cold morning greeted the competitors, crews, marshalls and spectators to the opening event at Gurston Down. The weather was more conducive to staying inside in the warm!

The weather Friday was torrential downpour after downpour. Cars, campers and tow vehicles got stuck just a few feet into the camping / trailer field. Ben Stapley, Gurston Down’s Chairman, spent most of the afternoon and evening towing people into and out of the field. Thankfully, the rain subsided..

Saturday morning came, it was bitterly cold. At 07:30 when more cars starting arriving, there was a proper chill in the air and one on the hill. It was going to be a tough day!

Practice was soon under-way. By the start of timed runs the track temperature hadn’t really risen much but it did eventually dry and gave some interesting results….

First up was the ‘SBD Road Legal Cars’ Class, Chris Berrisford, in his Subaru Impreza, was the quickest, with a new class record, shaving almost two seconds off the previous record with a 36.04s run. Leaving the rest to fight for second, James Hunt took that despite not taking his second run.

Chris Berrisford

Chris Berrisford – Copyright Akina Media

The Austin 7’s were next. The “Road” Class saw Alistair Frayling-Cork’s 7 Special take the honours, ahead of Bernard Cowley. The ‘Race’ division was close. Paul Geering and Martin Whittaker were within 0.2s on their first timed runs. Paul put a fantastic run together and ended up almost half a second ahead with a 47.46s despite Martin improving his time.

AFCandPG

Alistair Frayling-Cork’s and Paul Geering – Copyright Akina Media

The ACSMC ‘Road Legal’ Class saw Dave Gardener (38.72s) take the win by just over a second from Keith Hazel (39.85s).

Gurston rumbled to the sound of the TVR Cars Class. Jes Firth and his 5.0 Griffith produced the best time at 36.98s with the next three places being covered by just under one second.

JesFirth

Jes Firth – Copyright Akina Media

The Westfield Cars Class looked like it was between two after the first run, Keith Adams and Martin Harvey were within 0.2s of each other. But Martin couldn’t match Keith’s 36.85s second run so he grabbed the win.

Keith Adams

Keith Adams – Copyright Akina Media

The SBD HSA Speed Championship – Sports and Saloons brought out an amazing performance by Justin Andrews in his Subaru Impreza ending up with a 35.31s run. The HSA Championship may be a single class at Gurston Down but the results are divided up into their correct classes when calculating their overall HSA Championship scores. David Newman (Mazda MX-5) was pleased with his result fending off two other MX-5. The Sport Racing and Racing Class was won by Peter Goulding in his Mygale FF.

The huge ‘Classic Marques Speed Championship’ Class was close. Just over a second covered the first six drivers. Steve Cox in his TVR V8S (38.39s) took the win. Graham Millar (Ford Escort) was pipped to second place by just two hundredths by Matthew Eady in his beautiful Ginetta G4.

Justin Adams

Justin Adams – Copyright Akina Media

The new Mazda MX-5 Class took to the hill next. Mark Crookall in his beautiful MK1 RS had to work hard after an eventful first run. His off at Karousel left one of the longest set of 11s we’ve seen there for sometime! The pressure was on. He managed a 44.10s just beating Stephen Devereux’s first run time of 44.17s.

Mark Crookall - Copyright Akina Media

Mark Crookall – Copyright Akina Media

Tim Forster (Lotus Elan) and Steve Harris (Vauxhall Corsa) made the Greenen brothers, Andy and Adam in their Honda Civic, work to earn the win in the Road Going Series Production Class up to 2000cc. Andy knew what he needed to do after Adam, who ran in an earlier batch, posted a 38.87s. Andy made the win his by posting a 38.72s time.

Andy Greenen - Copyright Akina Media

Andy Greenen – Copyright Akina Media

The over 2 litre Road Going Series Production Class, was won by Andrew Thorp in his Porsche Cayman (41.92s). Sarah Fudge (Subaru Impreza – 41.96s) just missed out on first place but was over the moon when she came second just 0.04s behind. And it’s her first award in ten years of competing at Gurston Down!

Andy Thorp - Copyright Akina Media

Andy Thorp – Copyright Akina Media

The Road Going Specialist Production Class always brings fast cars to the hill. Andrew Forsyth in his 1.3 Westfield Megabusa, managed the best time in the class with a 36.06s.

Andrew Forsyth - Copyright Akina Media

Andrew Forsyth – Copyright Akina Media

Graham Beale’s Ginetta G20 won the Modified Limited Production Marque Sports Cars up to 2000cc Class with a 40.50s run. Although Dee Stapley in her MGF was ahead after 64ft and said “it went down hill from then on!”

The over 2000cc Modified Limited Production Marque Sports Car Class saw that super quick Lotus Exige of Simon Purcell take the win (35.57s) with Steve Holley (TVR Griffith) take second from Bob Mortimer and his Porsche 911.

Simon Purcell - Copyright Akina Media

Simon Purcell – Copyright Akina Media

The rapid 1.4 Mini Cooper of Derek Mullis won the up to 1400cc Modified Series Production Class with a 38.74s second run. Richard Wood’s Yamaha Mini ended on 43.98s. Dave Mockford’s MG Maestro took the 1400cc to 2000cc Modified Series Production Class with a 46.17s run.

Derek Mullis - Copyright Akina Media

Derek Mullis – Copyright Akina Media

Stephen Moore, the 2015 Meadens Skoda Gurston Down Champion, switched classes and won the over 2000cc Modified Series Production Class with an impressive 33.88s. The 2.0 turbocharged Mitsubishi Evo 6 is such a quick car in Stephen hands. The Aston Martin Vantage GT4 of Tim Painter and Andrew Fraser wowed the spectators with a sound-track to die for! Tim was pushed into second by Mike Butler’s BMW M3.

ASton

Richard Gatt beat Steve Holland to the Over 2000cc Modified Specialist Production Class win in his Westfield SEi.

Fyrth Crosse’s Ensign LNF3 in it’s new original livery won a hard fought battle with Hugh Kemp (Palliser WDF3), in the Historically Interesting Class. Fyrth won by just 0.06s.

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Fyrth Crosse – Copyright Akina Media

Derek Harris in his Mallock17b won the Hill Climb Super Sports Class.

The Sports Libre Class upto 2000cc was won by Jonathan Gates in the supercharged Force LM he shares with Peter Sexton, the Gurston Down Hill Climb Championship sponsor, who ended up second by just under half a second.

Gates

Jonathan Gates – Copyright Akina Media

The over 2000cc Class saw Chris Cannell in the matt black and orange twin engined Force SR8, win. Keith Diggle’s (WEV HCS) day ended on the first timed run after what he described as “first proper damage to the car in more than ten years”.

Cannell

Chris Cannell – Copyright Akina Media

David Cuff took the Up to 600cc Racing Car Class in his Jedi Mk4.

The 601 to 1100cc Racing Car Class saw Tony Levitt’s Empire win with a 35.12s on his first timed run.

Levett

Tony Levett – Copyright Akina Media

Russell Haynes won the Formula Ford Class from Paul Morcom.

Peter D Smith’s Force took the 1100cc to 1600cc Racing Car Class and the Fastest Time of the Day with a 30.13s.

The 1601cc to 2000cc Racing Car Forced Induction Class was a head to head battle between Peter and Simon Marsh in their DJ Firehawk. It was close, but Simon eventually took the win with a 30.97s run.

Marsh

Simon Marsh – Copyright Akina Media

Dave Wickham made the winners announcements and Sarah Howard presented the awards as Ben Stapley was busy helping campers and trailers both in and out of the field.

Peter D Smith thanked “Ed Hollier for deciding not to come today!”

PeterDSmith

Copyright – Anthony Record

We would like to thank everyone who made the day possible, the office staff, the marshals, timekeepers, scrutineers and officials without whom we couldn’t run the meeting. Thanks to Ashley Wood Recovery, TSL Timing, Insight Medical Services, Insight Security and Peter Crutcher from Ringwood PA.

Anthony Record – Press Officer Gurston Down Speed Hill Climb – BARC SW

April’s Meetings Preview

The 2016 season finally gets under way at Gurston Down Speed Hill Climb. On April 16th & 17th there will be two days of exciting and entertaining championship action.

The season’s opening weekend will provide a glorious show of sound, smell, skill and speed. Each day, over 130 cars and drivers will compete in standard road cars, classic and modern cars and amazingly fast sport and single seat racing cars. All of them will pit their wits against the fast and twisty course at Wiltshire’s famous Speed Hill Climb Venue and each other.

On Sunday a contingent of riders and motorbikes will join in the fun too!

Copyright: Simon McBeath

Copyright: Simon McBeath

Spectators have unrivaled access to the hill, paddock and facilities. We have excellent catering and refreshments on site too.

You really can’t get closer to the action!

On Saturday April 16th, Gurston hosts a number of championships. The Association of Central Southern Motor Clubs (ACSMC) holds a round of its hill climb championship, as do the SBD, BARC and the SBD Hillclimb and Sprint Association. There will also be special classes for Westfields, TVRs, an assortment of over 15 Classic Marques Cars and pre-War Austin 7s on top of the usual mix of production-based machines, sports racing cars and single seaters.

On Sunday April 17th, Gurston hosts the first round of its own, popular and well-subscribed Meadens Skoda Gurston Down Hill Climb Championship and the Cavendish Ships Stores BARC SW Top Ten Challenge. All the usual classes, from production cars to single seat racing cars will compete against each other and against the clock. There will also be supporting invitation classes for Volvos, Austin Healeys, Triumph TRs, historic 500cc racing cars and another huge collection of Classic Marques. It should be an outstanding day’s motorsport. This will be the first outing of Gurston Down’s class for standard Mazda MX5s.

The regular mix of four-wheeled competition cars are joined by some of the country’s top riders from the National Hill Climb Association who will be wowing the crowds on (sometimes one…) two and three wheels!

There will be a battle royal for the Fastest Time of the Day (FTD)! Ed Hollier, the 2015 Top Ten Challenge Champion in his beautifully prepared Empire Evo will have some serious competition. Peter D Smith’s Force and Simon and Peter Marsh’s DJ Firehawk will keep Ed on his toes. We shouldn’t forget the SR8 of Chris Cannell and Sue Hayes and the Force LM being driven by Jonathan Gates and Gurston Championship Sponsor, Peter Sexton, which might be in with a chance.

Saturday 16th Invited Classes in Detail

The first meeting of the year gets under way with the invited classes. First up is the ‘SBD Road Legal Cars’ Class, Chris Berrisford is favourite in his very quick Subaru Impreza. Next up are the Pre-War Austin 7’s. The “Road” Class , Alistair Frayling-Cork’s 7 Special could be the quickest there but the ‘Race’ division will be close. If last seasons results are anything to go by, Martin Whittaker and Paul Geering will be fighting it out.

The ACSMC ‘Road Legal’ Class is wide open. The TVR class looks like it’ll be go down to the wire, last season the top four drivers were only 1.2s apart with Jes Firth (5.0 Griffith) taking the win. It’ll be an interesting day for the TVRs! The Westfield Class always produces some fantastic action and it’s too difficult to call this year.

The SBD HSA Speed Championship – Sports and Saloons brings a very wide range of cars to the hill, Justin Andrews is the favourite. The Sport Racing and Racing Class has only one entrant, Peter Goulding in a Mygale FF.

Sunday 17th Invited Classes in Detail

Sunday’s invitation Classes, the Volvos start the day’s action. The TR’s are next up and based last years April form, Roderick Warner (3.5 TR7 V8) will start as class favourite, from Nick Smith (2.6 TR6) and Dale Huxford (1.3 Spitfire Mk 4). But what does the form book mean?

The ‘Big Healey’ Class should see Richard Mason (3.0 3000 Mk 2) take the honours. The Austin Healey Sprite Class will probably be taken by Julian Wakeham but the rest will be aiming to make it thier own!

Copyright: John Hayward

Copyright: John Hayward

The huge ‘Classic Marques Speed Championship’ Class on both days has attracted entries from all over the country, in a variety of cars. It’ll be well worth watching.

Regular Gurston Classes

Gusrton Down’s New Mazda MX5 Class will be interesting. The cars have to be almost standard, check the regulations in the Driver / Officals section for more details, so we are expecting some very close times. Mark Crookall has the experience and hill knowledge so should end up to top, in his beautiful Mk1 RS .

The Road Going Series Production Class up to 2000cc brings the Greenen brothers, Andy and Adam back in the “new” 2.0 Honda Civic Type R. Paul Webster, Gurston’s competition secretary (Mazda MX5) will have to be on top form to catch them. But there might be a few surprises too.

Copyright: Ben Record

Copyright: Ben Record

The over 2000cc Road Going Series Production Class, is far too difficult to call. Simon Neve’s (Mitsubishi Evo 2.3t) and the 2015 Meadens Skoda Gurston Down Champion, Stephen Moore in his 2.0t Mitsubishi Evo 6 will be close. Sean Fudge has a re-worked Subaru which might just be a surprise!

Copyright: Akina Media

Copyright: Akina Media

The Road Going Specialist Production Class always brings fast cars to the hill. Clive Skipper in his 2.0 Caterham HPC, Adrian Lewis in his 1.4 Westfield Megabusa, and Andrew Forsyth in his 1.3 Westfield Megabusa, should all be in the hunt for the spoils. You can’t rule anyone else out!

The Modified Limited Production Marque Sports Cars up to 2000cc Class pits Dee Stapley’s MGF against Graham Beale’s Ginetta G20 which should have the class win.

Copyright: Akina Media

Copyright: Akina Media

The over 2000cc Modified Limited Production Marque Sports Car Class sees Simon Purcell in his familiar and rapid Lotus Exige! Up against him is the spectacular Bob Mortimer (Porsche 911), Paul Slade (Jagaur E Type), and the Datsun 240Z of Steph Colvin and Hannah Stapley.

Copyright: Akina Media

Copyright: Akina Media

The up to 1400cc Modified Series Production Class is complemented with classic Minis as usual. Jim White, the class record holder, in his highly developed 1.4 Mini Clubman will be starting as favourite but he’s not certain to take the win. Derek Mullis fields his rapid 1.4 Mini Cooper ‘S’ variants so this should make an interesting battle.

Richard Wood runs in his Yamaha Mini both days in the Modified Series Mini Class.

The over 2000cc Modified Series Production Class, Saturday’s entries see the TurboTechnics founder Geoffrey Kershaw in his 3.0t Sierra and Mike Butler in his BMW M3 and the Aston Martin Vantage of Tim Painter and Andrew Fraser. But Sunday, the 2015 Meadens Skoda Gurston Down Champion, Stephen Moore is entered in his 2.0t Mitsubishi Evo 6 and Brendon Jones in his supercharged Escort RS2000. Mark Walker in his 3.4 Porsche Cayman S runs both days.

Copyright: Akina Media

Copyright: Akina Media

Mike Rudge will have his work cut out in the over 2000cc Modified Specialist Production Class with a field of five cars on Saturday and four on Sunday.

The Historically Interesting Class always brings out some lovely machinery, this weekend is no exception. Mike Broome’s 1.6 Alexis Mk 17 F3, Hugh Kemp in his 1.6 Palliser WDF3 and Fyrth Crosse’s Ensign LNF3 should make this class a tough one to win..

Derek Harris in his Mallock17b is the only entry in the Hill Climb Super Sports Class.

The up to 2000cc Sports Libre Class is likely to be headed up by Jonathan Gates / Peter Sexton in the supercharged Force LM. Although Sunday sees Clive Wooster in a Radical SR4. Another class that will go down to the wire!

The over 2000cc Class sees Chris Cannell and Sue Hayes in the Force SR8 up against the WEV HCS of Keith Diggle. My money would be on Chris Cannell but that WEV HCS is quick!

Copyright: Akina Media

Copyright: Akina Media

Sunday sees a small group of ‘500 Owners Association’ historic 500cc racing cars appearing. Alistair Dent (Cooper Mk 6) and John Dent (Cooper Mk 8) join Stuart Barnes (Iota P1.01). The other 500 class, has only one entry, Charles Reynolds in a 1.1 Cooper Mk7.

David Cuff goes in the up to 600cc Racing Car Class in his Jedi Mk4.

The 601 to 1100cc Racing Car Class has a good entry both days. James Moore and Tony Levitt’s Empires should be the front runners both days.

The Formula Ford Class sees Mark Alley in his first competitive FF event. With similar cars, this class will be decided on the day.

The 1100cc to 1600cc Racing Car Class puts Ed Hollier (Empire Evo) up against Peter D Smith (Force). On previous form, Ed Hollier is most likely to come out on top. But they both are contenders for Fastest Time of the Day.

Copyright: Akina Media

Copyright: Akina Media

The 1601cc to 2000cc Racing Car Forced Induction Class has the brothers Peter and Simon Marsh going head to head is their DJ Firehawk. They will also be contenders for Fastest Time of the Day…

Copyright: Ben Record

Copyright: Ben Record

Sunday brings the NHCA (Motorbikes) to Gurston Down. If you’ve ever driven Gurston Down in a car, you’ll be blown away by the motorbikes!

Copyright: Akina Media

Copyright: Akina Media

The 251cc to 350cc Class sees Paul Tilly’s Honda go head to head with Mick Lovelock’s Yamaha.

There are seven riders in the 351cc to 500cc Class. Tommy Hodges is probably the favourite but the other six riders won’t make it easy.

The 501cc to 750cc Class will be an interesting one. Any of the six riders could claim the spoils.

There are eight riders in the 751cc to 1300cc Class. We can expect some quick times in this class. The hill record stands at 31.85s for solo motorbikes!

The Sidecar Class will be fantastic to watch. The two combinations entered should be great to watch. The Baker 1000cc of Patrick and Paul Keates will have their work cut-out as we are sure Kevin and Sara Dewell won’t let them have an easy ride!

Tom Short set Sunday's bike BTD on his 525 Honda CRF.

Kevin & Sarah Deweel aka ‘Pinky Race Team’ leave the line on their SKR Honda outfit.
Copyright: Simon McBeath

WITH THIS VARIETY OF CARS AND MOTORBIKES, APRIL 16TH AND 17TH WILL BE AN ACTION PACKED WEEKEND AT GURSTON DOWN SPEED HILL CLIMB.
DON’T MISS IT!
Key info

Location: 1 mile west of Broad Chalke, 9 miles SW of Salisbury, Wiltshire. Turn off the A354 at Coombe Bissett on the unclassified road to Broad Chalke, follow AA signs.
Dates: Saturday April 16th and Sunday April 17th
Times: Competition from approx. 1300, practice from 0830 both days.
Admission: Only £10 for adults each day, accompanied under 15s free, free paddock entry, free parking.

Anthony Record – Gurston Down Speed Hill Climb Press Officer BARC SW

Reminder – Road Going Classes – V5 Required

The Competition Secretary has asked us to remind all drivers with cars entered in the Road Going Classes (Classes 4a-MX5, 4a, 4b and 4c) that their V5 will be inspected at sign-on.

This applies to the follwing classes:

Class 4a-MX5 -Roadgoing Series Production Mazda MX5s, Mk 1 – Mk 2.5, up to 2000cc (normally aspirated).
Class 4a -Roadgoing Series Production Cars up to 2000 cc.
Class 4b – Roadgoing Series Production Cars over 2000 cc.
Class 4c – Roadgoing Specialist Production Cars, any capacity.
Those entered in the Meadens Skoda Gurston Down Championship will not be eligable for points if the V5 is not presented, nor will they receive an award.

Anthony Record – Press Officer – Gurston Down Speed Hill Climb BARC SW