WOW! What a weekend!!

WOW! The first of the two visits to Gurston Down Speed Hill Climb by the Avon Tyres / Wynn Developments British Hill Climb Championship and the Avon Tyres / Wynn Developments Hill Climb Leaders Championship to Gurston Down Speed Hill Climb was amazing. The weather was kind, particularly on practice day but Sunday saw some amazing performances with long standing records being broken and two incredibly close run Top Ten Run-offs.

There were over 140 cars and drivers competing in everything from standard road cars, specially prepared hill climb cars and spectacularly fast sport and single seat racing cars.

Spectators saw some fabulous performances but more on that later in the report.

Saturday was practice day and the weather was almost perfect for racing. The course was warm and dry and the air temperature cool. The practice performances gave an indication of what was to come when the cars took to the track on Sunday.

Sunday’s weather was a little over cast for morning practice but it didn’t stop there being some great performances.

Fastest Time of the Day went to Will Hall in the Force WH-Xtec with a 26.03s second timed run.

Class Results in Detail:

The BARC South West B Licence Class

A good entry in this class of B Licence holders saw Martin Watson dominate the class in his Westfield. He lead the class from practice and dominated the timed runs finishing on 32.20s. Second was the Roland Hanbury / Campbell Adams OMS 2000M in Roland’s hands and third in Campbell’s hands, finishing on 37.20s and 38.26s. Russell Davies in the Honda Civic was fourth on 39.55s and Nigel Holt in his Caterham fifth on 40.44s. A personal best for Nigel.

The Road Going Series Production Car Class up to 2000cc and the Over 2000cc Class was Amalgamated

Mike Rudge and the Ford Focus RS won with a 36.77s first timed run ahead of Dean Cubitt in his Mazda MX5 on 37.57s a personal best for him too! Nick Revels, Gurston Down’s Competition Secretary, switched to the MG Midget he’s running in the Hill Climb Masters at St Goueno next weekend as he hadn’t had any seat time in the car.

The Road Going Specialist Production Car Class

Adrian Lewis and his Westfield Superbusa was dominant in this class from first practice. His second timed run stopped the clock on 34.92s with Mark Parrett in the Fairfield Trailers Autotune Gemini second on 41.29s. John Davey, the Managing Director of our Top Ten Challenge Sponsor, Cavendish Ships Stores, had issues with the gearbox not staying in gear in the TVR Vixen so he withdraw after practice. As he and the car are entered in the St Goueno.

Modified Series Production Car Class up to 1400cc

Eric Morrey in his turbo-charged Hillman Imp put in a great performance and managed to beat James White in the Austin Mini to take first in class. Eric first time run was 36.48s and James’s was 36.85s settled the class as neither improved their times in the second timed run.

Modified Series Production Car Class over 2000cc

The current class record holder Stephen Moore in the Mitsubishi Evo RS put in superb performance, lowering his existing class record with a second timed run of 32.16s. His margin over the rest of the class was handsom, more than two seconds. Jason Tuncliffe took second on 34.56s. Third was decided by the second timed runs as Tim Painter in the Aston Martin Vantage GT4 had tied with Jim Herbert in the Mitsubishi Evo 5.on 35.75s. Tim improved his time by more than a second. Jim improved his time but not by enough to that third. Tim’s second time run was 34.79s and Jim’s 35.37s. Stephen may be another contender for next months Tony Marsh Memorial Award.

Modified Specialist Production Cars Class

Simon Jenks in his Caterham S3 had a great weekend. Simon took the win with a 31.46s first timed run with Steve Holland second on 32.13s.

Up to 2000cc Sports Libre Car Class

It was Tim Pitfield his DJ Firecat was on sparkling form, his new slicks proved their worth right out of the box. Tim took the win with a 32.79s which had this been the usual Gurston class up to 1400cc would have been a class record. He should be a contender for the Tony Marsh Memorial Award which is awarded at the June meetings. Pete Steel and the Radical SR1 was second after having a few issues.

Over 2000cc Sports Libre Car Class

The mad Mini Evo of a former Manx Grand Prix winner (on a bike, of course), Allan McDonald took the win. Geoff Twemlow just couldn’t get his Saker GT to behave and decided that it would be better to withdraw. Alan times was 31.43s.

Up to 600cc Racing Car Class

Les Buck in his OMS Hornet was alone in the class and finished on 35.62s..

601cc to 1100cc Racing Car Class

The huge entry in this class really did produce some great performances. Robert Kenrick in the GWR Raptor 2, took the win, qualifies for both Top Ten Run-offs and set a new class record. The record has stood for 15 year! It now stands at 24.42s. The DJ Firehawk of Debbie Dunbar was second on 30.08s pipping Steve Owen by one hundredth, who took third. The next six places were covered by just one second.

Formula Ford Racing Cars up to 1600cc Built Before 1994

Samantha Lester in her Van Diemen FR92 was in sparkling form and took the class win with a 37.82s first timed run.

1100cc to 1600cc Racing Car Class

David and Allan Warburton in the Gould GR59 took the one two in this class, although issues with the car meant they couldn’t take the second timed runs. David finished on 29.03s and Allan on 30.30s.

1601cc to 2000cc Racing Car Class – Normally Aspirated

Tim Elmer and his Dallara F399 had a great weekend. He made the class his own during practice and followed through in the timed runs. His final time of 30.21s put him well ahead of Roger Cock in the Pilbeam MP54 who was chased hard by Nikki Cottrill in the MP82. Roger finished on 32.99s and Nikki 32.12s.

1601cc to 2000cc Racing Car Class – Forced Induction

Richard Spedding in this GWR Raptor was the sole entrant in this class. He was here to qualify for the Top Ten Run-offs, which he did both times, and score championship points. He did exactly that, finishing on 27.20s.

Over 2000cc Racing Car Class

The Force WH-XTEC of Will Hall hasn’t been out on the hills due to engine issues. However, after the performance this weekend, they are BACK. Practice was close with most of the runner’s times just a few tenths or less apart. The first timed run went to Wallace Menzies in his Gould GR59 is the current leader of the British Championship who stopped the clocks on 26.30s but Will managed to pip that time with a 26.03s second timed run. That also gave him Fastest Time of the Day. Scott Moran in the Gould GR61x was third and Sean Gould in the new Gould GR59 Judd was fourth.

Racing and Racing Cars Built up to 1971

The Chevron B19 shared by Amanda and Richard George, in Richard’s hands took the win in this class with a 35.77s run. The Brabham BT35 with Christopher Jones was second on 36.04s.

Sports Racing and Racing Cars Built up to 1985

Roger Deans in the 5 litre car Lola T142 first timed run was 36.91s.

The Porsche Club’s National Hill Climb Championship Class 2

David Dyson and his 911 GT3 lead from the first timed run but it’s wasn’t certain by any means. His first timed run was 35.95s. Robert Lancaster-Gaye in his 911 GT3 worked hard but couldn’t quite catch David. David improved his time a little on the second timed run, 35.91s. Robert finished on 36.36s.

The Porsche Club’s National Hill Climb Championship Class 1

The all 911 line-up in this class. Phil Price a Gurston Down regular, joined the class and chased the eventual winner Paul Howells every step of the way. Paul’s first timed run 32.83s was good enough after Phil had issues on the second timed run.

Then it was the turn of the Lotus 7 Club Championship runners.

The Lotus 7 Club Championship Class 1 – Cars Up to 125 bhp

Paul Boston took the win in this class with a first timed run of 38.85s.

The Lotus 7 Club Championship Class 2 – Cars up to 150 bhp – List 1A Tyres

The huge entry in this class produced an amazing result. The top four in this class were separated by just 0.50s. Both of Clive Marsden’s runs were ahead of all of the other drivers. His first run of 37.30s was the winner. Graham Howard, Rob Clay and Alan Bowler were second, third and fourth respectively. Their times were 37.75s, 37.78s and 37.80s.

The Lotus 7 Club Championship Class 3 – Cars up to 150 bhp – List 1B Tyres

Richard Price took the class win with a 36.37s first timed run, a great performance. Robert Jacobs’s experience might have helped him with the second place on 36.88s. Philip Matchmix was third on 37.15s. Interestingly, Philip’s first and second timed run were identical times, a remarkable feat as the timing is to 0.01 of a second.

The Lotus 7 Club Championship – Class 4 – Car up to 210 bhp

Mike Cocker had a great first timed run, putting himself in first place. In the second timed run he went faster as did others in the class. Unfortunately, Jon Davies couldn’t match Mike’s first timed run. Mike went better in the second timed run and took the win by almost three quarter of a second.

The Lotus 7 Club Championship – Class 5

Michael Sankey looked like second might be where he would finish after the first timed run. He was behind Jeremy Davies by almost 0.75s. But a sterling performance in the second timed run turned that around. Michael finished on 34.55s and Jeremy on 34.80s.

The Lotus 7 Club Championship – Class 6/7

Simon Rogers took control of the class after the first timed run. He was almost one second over Shaun Elwell. But Simon had an issue and didn’t complete the second timed run leaving the door open for the others in the class. It was Shaun who snatched second, Robert Margel improved his time by over one second overhauling Shaun. Simon was first and Robert second and Shaun ended third.

 

Avon Tyres / Wynn Developments MSUK British Hill Climb Championship – Round 9

The weather greeted the first run-off with a very light drizzle. It didn’t seem to make any difference to the performances. Will Hall in the Force WH-XTEC was fastest with a 26.44s run. Wallace Menzies in the Gould GR59 second on 26.73s but he was almost than half a second down at the intermediate timing point but made half of that up in the Karousel to Ashes and the final section. Scott Moran in the Gould GR61X was third with a 26.90s.

Avon Tyres / Wynn Developments MSUK British Hill Climb Championship – Round 10

Scott Moran put in a great performance in the afternoon run-off. He won with a time of 27.07s. Wallace Menzies, second just 0.08s behind on 27.15s, Alex Summers in the DJ Firestorm just 0.02s behind Wallace, on 27.17s and Sean Gould in the Gould GR59 Judd just 0.01s behind Alex, 27.18s. The next three were separated by just 0.20s! Great performances all round. Unfortunately, Will Hall managed to spin and had a failed run.

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

Look Out the British are Coming!

The weekend of Saturday May 25th and Sunday May 26th is the first of the two visits by the Avon Tyres / Wynn Developments British Hill Climb Championship and the Avon Tyres / Wynn Developments Hill Climb Leaders Championship to Gurston Down Speed Hill Climb.

The Championship brings many of Britain’s fastest cars and drivers to the twisty course at Wiltshire’s famous Speed Hill Climb Venue. There will be over 140 cars and drivers competing in everything from standard road cars, specially prepared hill climb cars and spectacularly fast fast sport and single seat racing cars.

Spectators have fabulous unrivalled access to the hill, views of the course, paddock and facilities. We have excellent catering and refreshments on site too.

You really can’t get closer to the action!

Saturday is practice day. Each competitor gets the opportunity to take three practice runs, starting around 09:00. There are two runs in the morning and one after lunch. Practice usually finishing around 15:00.

Sunday is competition day, there will be an early morning practice, starting around 08:30 followed by one timed run before lunch and the first of two top twelve run-offs. Then after lunch the second timed runs are followed by the second top twelve run-off.

The Top Twelve Run-Off allows the fastest twelve, championship registered, competitors to take an additional run, after which the fastest ten score points for the British Championship. Ten points for a win, down to one for tenth. These run-offs ultimately determine who becomes the British Champion!

Alongside the British Championship and Leaders Championships, the Lotus 7 Club and the Porsche Club have rounds of their championships and the BARC South West Members have their own class.

There will be a fastest time of the day and As ever there will be a Fastest Time of Day! Who will it be?

Class Preview in Detail:

The BARC South West B Licence Class

The class will be first to the hill. The class is specifically for those driver who hold an MS UK B Speed licence. There are a number of new comers to this class and the hill. Daniel and Andy Reeve bring their Aston Martin N24 and Campbell Adams and Roland Hanbury bring their OMS 2000M. Martin Watson and his Westfield, Sarah Fudge in the Lewis Dean Impreza and Dean Cubitt’s and his Mazda MX5 probably start as favourites for the top three places because of their experience on the hill. But with a real mix of cars and drivers in this class and the new car and driver combinations this class will be especially hard fort.


The Road Going Series Production Car Class up to 2000cc

There is a small entry in this class, just two cars. Tim Forster in his beautifully prepared Lotus Elan, Nick Revels, Gurston Down’s Competition Secretary, in John Davey’s New Midget and Tony Record, Gurston Down’s Press Officer, in the Proton Satria Gti he usually shares with Nick Revels. Tim will dominate this class!

Over 2000cc Road Going Series Production Car Class

Mike Rudge is the sole entrant in this class. He’ll bring back his Ford Focus RS. It will be interesting to see how he compares to last season when he first brought the car to the hill.

Thanks to Stuart Freeman for this great picture of Mike having an issue with Ashes….

The Road Going Specialist Production Car Class

John Davey, the Managing Director of our Top Ten Challenge Sponsor, Cavendish Ships Stores, bring his TVR Vixen to the hill for the first time this season. Adrian Lewis and his Westfield Superbusa should dominate this class, providing the car behaves!

Up to 1400cc Modified Series Production Car Class

Not only do we have the Gurston regulars, David Bean and James White in their Minis but we have two Hillman Imp powered cars. Eric Morrey in his turbo-charged Hillman Imp and the delightful Ginetta G15 of Andrew Russell. It will be probably be between James White and Andrew Russell.

1401cc to 2000cc Modified Series Production Car Class

There is just one entry in this class, Paul Meadows in his Renault Clio.

Over 2000cc Modified Series Production Car Class

There is a massive entry in this class. The current class record holder Stephen Moore in the Mitsubishi Evo RS has some stiff competition with Phil Price and his Porsche 911RS and the Aston Martin of Tim Painter and Andrew Fraser. There are a few new car and driver combinations that may mix this class up a little.

Modified Specialist Production Cars Class

Steve Holland and Simon Jenks in their respective Caterham’s go head to head in this class. It will be the performance on the day that will decide this class!

Up to 2000cc Sports Libre Car Class

There is an eclectic entry in this class. Derek Kessell brings his Maguire Mini, Duncan Barnes his Norma M20FC (he shares with Tom New), Pete Steel his Radical SR1, Tim Pitfield his DJ Firecat and Keith Diggle in the WEV. Keith starts favourite but his car didn’t make it to the April meetings so that might open this class right up.

Over 2000cc Sports Libre Car Class

The mad Mini Evo of a former Manx Grand Prix winner (on a bike, of course), Allan McDonald has Geoff Twemlow and the Saket GT as his only competition. Allan who, who holds the closed car hill record should take the win.

Up to 600cc Racing Car Class has just one entrant. Les Buck in his OMS Hornet.

601cc to 1100cc Racing Car Class

Another huge entry in this class, 20 drivers! Robert Kenrick in the GWR Raptor 2, Eynon Price in the Force TA, Andy and Adam Greenen in the Empire Evo, Harry Pick in the OMS 3000M along the DJ Firehawk of Debbie Dunbar and Felix Summers will be some of the names to watch for in this class. But this class and it’s places will be settled by hundredths of a second. And there’s a really great chance that some of these cars will qualify for the Top Twelve Run-off too!

1100cc to 1600cc Racing Car Class

There is a good entry in this class. David Warburton in the Gould GR59 probably starts favourite here and he is having a good season, 11th in the British Hill Climb Championship. He will be looking for a qualification place in the top twelve.

Formula Ford Racing Cars up to 1600cc Built Before 1994

Just three entries in the class but it is such a competitive class! Doug Auld in his Swift SC93 and Samantha Lester in her Van Diemen FR92 have Gurston experience which should be critical. Ed McDonough in his Dulon F-Ford MP15 will have his work cut out to catch Doug and Samantha. But who will take the win?

1601cc to 2000cc Racing Car Class – Normally Aspirated

There another big entry in this class. Look out for Tim Elmer and his Dallara F399, the GWR Predator of Johnathen Varley and Andy Bougourd in the Force PT. It will be a close class, Johnathen has been performing well in the Leaders Championship and will be looking for a points.

1601cc to 2000cc Racing Car Class – Forced Induction

Richard Spedding was fifth in the British Hill Climb Championship last year in this GWR Raptor and is currently third. He’ll probably take the class and a place in the Top Twelve Run-off too but you just can’t discount Kelvin Broad in the Force TA and Simon Moyse in another Gould GR59. They will all be looking for championship and leaders points!

Over 2000cc Racing Car Class

This class brings the fastest cars to the hill. Wallace Menzies in his Gould GR59 is the current leader of the British Championship and holds the fastest finish line speed of in excess of 159 mph. He will be chasing run-off places and championship points as will all of the others in this class. Look out for the Scott Moran (Gould GR61x) the current hill record holder, Will Hall in the Force WH-Xtec, Alex Summers in the DJ Firestorm, the Gould GR55 of Nicola Menzies and Dave Uren, Sean Gould in the factory Gould GR59 and Jason Mourant is his Gould GR55.

Sports Racing and Racing Cars Built up to 1971

There are three drivers and two lovely cars in this class. The Brabham BT35 of Christopher Bentley Jones and the Chevron B19 shared by Amanda and Richard George. The Chevron will probably take this class.

Sports Racing and Racing Cars Built up to 1985

Roger Deans in the Lola T142 runs in this class on his own. The 5 litre car makes a wonderful sound!

The Porsche Club’s National Hill Climb Championship Class 2

An all 911 line up in this class compete in this class. The road going class is always very competitive. Robert Lancaster-Gaye should be a contender for the win after visiting Gurston’s Driver School at the beginning of May. But David Dyson, Simon Tarling as well as Richard York and Ross Mcdonald will also be ready and willing to take the win.

The Porsche Club’s National Hill Climb Championship Class 1

This class is another all 911 line-up. Peter Turnbull and Paul Howells start favourites but, just like the road going class, everyone will be happy to take the win.

Then it’s the turn of the Lotus 7 Club Championship runners. With the Lotus 7 Club Championship in it’s early stages, it will be tough to predict any of these classes. It will be down to performance on the day.

The Lotus 7 Club Championship Class 1 – Cars Up to 125 bhp – has just two entries. Paul Boston has previous form at Gurston Down so Rebecca Boston will need to make him work for the win.

The Lotus 7 Club Championship Class 2 – Cars up to 150 bhp – List 1A Tyres – There is a huge entry in this class and as usual it will be difficult to predict who will come out on top.

The Lotus 7 Club Championship Class 3 – Cars up to 150 bhp – List 1B Tyres – has nine entrants. This class was decided by just a few hundredths of a second last year. Robert Jacobs has Gurston experience so he should be in with a good chance of repeating his win.

The Lotus 7 Club Championship – Class 4 – Car up to 210 bhp – has just four entrants. It’s difficult to gauge who might be at the front in the end. However, Bruce Bosley has Gurston experience which may play in his favour.

The Lotus 7 Club Championship – Class 5 – there are just three entries.

The Lotus 7 Club Championship – Class 6/7 – sees seven cars and drivers entered. Simon Rogers won in 2017 so he’s probably in with a shout.

 

Another exciting weekend of 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 May 25th and Sunday May 26th
Times: Saturday Practice from 0830 until 1500 approx. Sunday 0830 Final Practice then timed runs from approx 1030, then first timed runs followed by First Top Twelve Run-Off, then lunch and final timed runs from 13:00 Second Top Twelve Run-Off.
Admission: £10 for adults Sunday (£6 on Saturday), accompanied under 14s free, free paddock entry, free parking.

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

REMINDER – ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING – BARC South West

Here’s a reminder that the BARC South West AGM will be held on Monday 13th May 2019 at the Resturant at Gurston Down. The meeting starts at 19:30 – ONLY BARC South West members are eligable to attend.

AGENDA FOR THE AGM OF THE BARC SW CENTRE TO BE HELD ON MONDAY 13th MAY 2019 AT 7.30pm AT GURSTON DOWN SPEED HILL CLIMB

PRESENT

  1. Apologies for Absence
  2. Minutes of the Previous Meeting
  3. Matters Arising
  4. Chairman’s Report
  5. Hon Sec’s Report
  6. Hon Treasurer’s Report
  7. Election of Officers and Committee – Under Rule 12 Becky Crocombe retires from the Committee and being eligible offers herself for re-election, Under Rule 10 Grahame Chubb and Jamie Buchanan offer themselves for election onto the Committee, Election of Hon. Secretary and.Election of Hon. Treasurer
  1. Any Other Business
  2. Close

 

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