Annual Awards 13th October – Applications Now Open

Annual Awards Lunch – Applications Now Open

Saturday 13th October 2018

At The Mercure White Hart Hotel, St John Street, Salisbury, Wiltshire. SP1 2SD

APPLICATION FORM IS HERE

Arrive 12.00 noon to sit down at 12.30pm, followed by the presentation of the awards

Hot and Cold Buffet served with fresh bread, rice and jacket potatoes. A selection of desserts:
Adults and children over 12 years £25.00 per ticket
Children 5-12 years £12.50 per ticket
Children under 5 free of charge

Please send the completed application to:
Miss Becky Crocombe, 43 Hawcroft, Holt, Trowbridge, Wiltshire. BA14 6RN (any queries please
contact beckycrocombe@hotmail.co.uk )

APPLICATION FORM

Preview Championship Finale – September 9th

The final event of the year at Gurston Down Speed Hill Climb takes place on Sunday 9th September with two more rounds of the Meadens Skoda Gurston Down Speed Hill Climb Championship and the final round of the Cavendish Ships Stores BARC SW Top Ten Challenge. There is a full entry for Sunday’s event which should result in a full day of exciting and entertaining action.

Over 120 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 to score valuable championship points.

Spectators have unrivalled access to the hill, paddock and facilities. The excellent catering and refreshments are available on site too.

You really can’t get closer to the action!

The overall Meadens Skoda Gurston Down Speed Hill Climb Championship has, on a mathematical basis, not been decided. Paul Dickinson in the Honda S2000 is in charge and leads the championship. However, Paul has not entered in the September meeting so things could easily change. There are a number of other drivers who could pip him to the title, the most likely on current form is Mark Crookall. He could take the lead if he were to repeat his performance at the Sunday of the July meetings, when he broke the championship target times and class record on both runs. Sunday’s timed runs will determine the ultimate champion!

The Cavendish Ships Stores BARC-SW Top Ten Challenge was won at the July meetings. Peter D Smith with the Force PC took an unassailable lead. However, the next three places are still up for grabs. But who will it be?

Our September meeting hosts a number of invited championships and classes. These championships are the Triumph Register Cars, MG Cars, Austin Healeys and the historic 500cc racing cars. The Fastest Time of the Day will win The Russell Challenge Trophy, but who will that be?

Preview in detail:

The Triumph Register Class

The TR Class will be first to come to the line. It’s another full entry here so it will probably be a close fought battle. The TR7 V8s of Roderick Warner won in 2017, his experience should help him with the rest of the class. But you can’t ignore any of the car and driver combinations in this class.

The MG Class

There are twelve cars and driver combinations running in this class. Last years event winner, Ben Rolls in his Sprite must start favourite. He has last years second and third placed men, Richard Withers and Paul Bernal-Ryan in addition to the rest of the class so it might not be as clear cut as it might seem.

The Austin Healey Class – Big Healey and Warwick Cars Class

There are eight Big Healey and Warwick cars entered in this class. With Paul Baker and Pat Cooper last years first and second place respectively entered, not only will it be competitive but close too. You can’t really ignore any other drivers here either.

The Austin Healey Class – Austin Healey Sprite Class

The Austin Healey Sprite Class has six drivers entered. The 2017 event was won by Robin Johnson in his Sprite. But the entry has a number of drivers who won’t let Robin take the win without a fight!

Regular Gurston Classes

The Gurston Down MX5 Class supported by the Window Doctor

The 2017 Meadens Skoda Gurston Down Champion, Mark Crookall, returns to the hill in his Mazda Roadster RS after breaking his own record twice at July’s Sunday meeting. Can he do it again? Or will Jason Richardson do the same? But there are a few others who will be pushing Mark and Jason and will take advantage of any errors either of them make.

Road Going Series Production Class up to 1400cc Class

There is a larger than normal entry in this class. John Davey, Managing Director of our Top Ten Challenge sponsor, Cavendish Ships Stores is sharing his MG Midget with Pete Hammock. John probably starts favourite but David Nutland has had better reliability as a result scored better in the championship.

Road Going Series Production Class up to 2000cc, supported by Record-Designs

Tim Forster in his Lotus Elan will be looking for some strong championship points to help with his class championship challenge. Dean Cubitt in the Mazda MX5 will be looking for the same. There are a couple of new car and driver combinations and some names coming back. Will Dave Newman and his MX5 or David Bellamy in the Peugeot 106 spice up the class a little bit!

Over 2000cc Road Going Series Production Class, supported by Turbo Dynamics

Shaun Fudge is in a strong position in the class championship and with his major competitor, Jon Maycock not entered, it would seem that Shaun might have an easier time. But he will have Simon Neve in the Mitsubishi Evo, providing the cars issues have been resolved, to content with as well as Mike Rudge in the Focus RS and Rodney Eyles in a Alfa Romeo 4C, the later two new to the class.

Road Going Specialist Production Class, supported by Fieldfare Trailer Centre

Clive Skipper’s 2.0 Caterham HPC, Adrian Lewis’ 1.4 Westfield Megabusa or Anthony Orchard, sharing the Lewis Westfield are the three to watch in this class. are the most likely winners in this class. Clive is ahead in the championship so Adrian will need a great performance to help with his title hopes.

The Modified Limited Production Marque Sports Cars upto 2000cc Class

This class has just two entrants, Martin Biggs and Andrew Hurle. Andrew’s 1962cc car might well dominate the class but it’s all about performance on the day.

The Modified Limited Production Marque Sports Cars over 2000cc Class

Phil Price in the Porsche 911 has been the man to beat in this class. He currently leads the class championship from Graham Beale in the Ginetta. There are some lovely cars in this class, Bob Mortimer’s Porsche and Paul Slades’ E Type, all will be looking for championship points.

The up to 1400cc Modified Series Production Car Class

Neil Turner, the class record holder starts this class as favourite. He needs two wins and the points to help his class championship position. If he can managed that, he will win the class. Derek Mullis and David Bean will make sure he works for the win but they are require points too.

Over 2000cc Modified Series Production Car Class, supported by Meadens Skoda

Steven Moore has been pretty dominant in the class this year. He won’t be looking for championship points but he will be looking for a class record. The gorgeous the Aston Martin Vantage of Tim Painter and Andrew Fraser and Mark Walker in his 4.0 Porsche Cayman S will be looking to keep Steven on his toes but they will all have an up hill battle.

The Modified Specialist Production Class, supported Gates of Brockenhurst

Martin Watson in his Westfield SEiW has the class championship sown-up but that doesn’t mean the rest of the class will let him take the class win at this meeting. Richie Gatt and Steve Holland will be making sure he works for the win.

The Historically Interesting Class, supported by Kelvin Jouhar

Sunday brings some beautifully presented historically interesting cars to Gurston Down. Sue Hayes bring her 1.6 Palliser WDF3, the Jensen C-V8 Mk1 driven by Richard Lovell-Butt and two Gilbern’s of Brian Gent and Ken Young. The class is a little difficult to call but Sue Hayes is the likely class winner here.

Hill Climb Super Sports Cars Class

There are just two cars entered in this class. Mark Mortimer and Richard Fry both in Mallocks. Mark has Gurston experience which is bound to help.

The Sports Libre up to 1400cc Class

This class has a great entry. Peter Steel in his Guille Mallock is the current class record holder and looks like he’ll be the one to beat.

The Sports Libre 1400cc to 2000cc, supported by Class Lewis Property Services

There are just two cars entered in this class. The WEV HCS-BDG of Keith Diggle and the Lancia Stratos of Malcolm Cole. Keith has been pretty dominant in this class and we expect Sunday to be no exception.

Sports Libre over 2000cc Class

Chris Cannell is the only entrant in his Force SR8. Chris will be looking for a fast time so he can add to his Top Ten Challenge points.

The 500 Owners Association – (2001 Rules) Class

The ‘500 Owners Association – 2001 Rules” historic 500cc racing cars will run next. There is just one entry, Stuart Barnes in the Lola P.101.

The 601cc to 1100cc Racing Car Class, supported by Drynham Project Management

There’s a small entry in this class and without James Moore entered, there will be some good championship points available to the entrants in this class. But who will take the class win?

The Formula Ford Class – Cars up to 1600cc

There is just one entrant in this class, David Matthews in his Zeus 163.

1101cc to 1600cc Racing Car Class, supported by SM AeRoTechniques with Brian and Adrian Moody

Peter D Smith and Richard Gayland are back in their Force. They will be both be looking for Top Ten Challenge points and be in the hunt for Fastest Time of the Day.

The 1601cc to 2000cc Racing Car Class – Normally Aspirated

There are just two entries in this class. Roger Cock has made a good return to Gurston Down this year in his Pilbeam MP54. But Dave Lord in the Quest has had better performances this season so it will probably be Dave’s day.

The Over 2000cc Racing Car Class

Paul Crute in the Jaguar powered OMS28 is the only entrant in this class but like Peter D Smith, he will be looking for Top Ten Challenge points and Fastest Time of the Day.

 

The Championship Finale will be a decider for the Top Ten Challenge and most of the Gurston Down Championship Class titles. It will be a specular day!

Why not come and join us?

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

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: Sunday September 9th
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.

The British Are Back!

The weekend of Saturday August 25th and Sunday August 26th bring the Avon Tyres / Wynn Developments British Hill Climb Championship and the Avon Tyres / Wynn Developments Hill Climb Leaders Championship back to Gurston Down Speed Hill Climb.

Both championships are just a few events away from the season finale at Loton Park at the end of September so there is still all to play for!

With 150 cars and drivers competing at the twisty course at Wiltshire’s famous Speed Hill Climb Venue, it will be a spectacular weekend. There will be a huge variety of cars, everything from standard road cars, specially prepared hill climb cars and spectacularly 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 three opportunities to take to the hill. We start around 09:00 with two runs each before lunch. Then a restart around 13:00 for one further practice. Practice day usually finishes around 15:00.

Sunday is competition day, this is when the fun starts. There will be an early morning practice, starting around 09:00. First timed runs start around 10:30 followed by the first of two top twelve run-offs. After lunch the second timed runs are followed by the second top twelve run-off.

The Top Twelve Run-Off of the Avon Tyres / Wynn Developments British Hill Climb Championship give championship registered another run on the hill. This time 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!

The Avon Tyres / Wynn Developments Hill Climb Leaders Championship is slightly different and doesn’t have a run-off. Each timed run is treated as a separate event, so competitors will score in two rounds on Sunday.

Alongside the British Championship and Leaders Championships we will have the Porsche Club National Hill Climb Championship, SBD HSA Speed Championship and a special class for BARC South West Members too.

As ever there will be a Fastest Time of Day! Who will it be?

Class Preview:

The Porsche Club’s National Hill Climb Championship Class 2 – Standard Production Cars

This class has an all 911 GT3 line-up with Christian Aryes running a GT3RS. Last years champion Robert Lancaster-Gaye won’t have an easy ride with this field. He has last years championship runner-up to contend with, Simon Tarling. But Robert has also been battling with Christian too this season. It’ll be a very close run class. Winner? Well we can say it will be a GT3 but who will be behind the wheel?

The Porsche Club’s National Hill Climb Championship Class 1 – Modified Cars

Class 1 has a 964 in addition to the six other drivers with 911s. Phil Price and his 930RS has had some great Gurston form this year with a 33.99s timed run at our July meeting. Bob Mortimer in his 911 and Peter Turnbull’s 911 are likely to be in the top three too. As well as the in form man and last years champion, Paul Howells.

The Road Going Series Production Car Class up to 2000cc – A(i)

The class has a good entry with nine drivers and seven cars. This class looked like it might be between two drivers, Richard Brant in the very quick Renault Clio and Dean Cubitt in the Mazda MX5. But the event regulations means that we will see Tony Wiltshire in the Lotus Elise in this class too. It will be between these three for the win.

The Over 2000cc Road Going Series Production Car Class – A(ii)

There are just two entrants in this class, both of which have significant Gurston experience. Simon Neve in his Mitsubishi Evo RS, goes head to head with Mike Rudge in a Ford Focus RS. It will be interesting to see how Mike copes with a road car on the hill.

The Road Going Specialist Production Car Class – B

Adrian Lewis shares his Westfield Superbusa with Anthony Orchard again. The July meeting saw Adrian take the win in this class but we should expect Anthony to be quicker this time out but will it be enough to snatch a win?

The up to 1400cc Modified Series Production Car Class – C(i)

Neil Turner’s super fast Mini has been repaired after the problems at the July meeting so he will be the man to beat. Andrew Russell’s delightful Ginetta is always competitive but second might be the best outcome with Neil back in the race!

The 1401cc to 2000cc Modified Series Production Car Class – C(ii)

Two drivers, Colin Satchell and Paul Drowne share the very quick Peugeot 205. This might well turn into a really close class.

The Over 2000cc Modified Series Production Car Class – C(iii)

This will be a tough class, not only does it have a huge entry, twelve drivers but it has some really quick cars too. On previous form and Gurston experience, we should see Stephen Moore in his Mitsubishi Evo and Steven Darley in his Subaru Impreza in the top two places. But there are plenty of other cars that might just topple them on the day.

The Modified Specialist Production Cars Class – D

Andrew Griffiths in his Caterham Hayabusa and Simon Jenks and his Caterham Supersport were the top two at the May meeting. It was close and it will be in August too. Although this class is really competitive it could be any of the drivers taking the win.

The up to 2000cc Sports Libre Car Class – F

Keith Diggle in the WEV HCS-BDG won the class in May by a good margin over Duncan Barnes and his Norma M20FC. But that was the first time out for the Norma. Look out for Peter Steel and the Mallock has been on sparkling form so he’ll probably be mounting a challenge too.

The 601cc to 1100cc Racing Car Class – I

This class has another huge entry, 20 drivers. Debbie Dunbar in the DJ Firehawk she shares with Richard Summers, won this very competitive class after a fantastic second timed run in May. Based on the form she is showing, she will be very much in contention. But she won’t have an easy time with all the rest of the drivers in this class. Look out for the Greenen brothers, Andy and Adam or perhaps Darren Gumbley or Robert Kenrick to name just a few. The class will be settled by hundredths of a second and there might be some who will make the cut for the Top Twelve Run-Off too!

Formula Ford Racing Cars up to 1600cc Class – J(i)

There are five entries in the class. Simon McBeath and his Swift SC92F starts this class as favourite. He will be looking to take his class record back and for a class win. But the other four drivers will also want rhe championship points and the class win. The class is always close and we should expect it to be the same this time out.

The 1100cc to 1600cc Racing Car Class – J(ii)

Les Mutch in his GWR Raptor starts as favourite in this class after his win in May. But he has David and Allan Warburton in a Gould GR59, Lian and Olivia Cooper in the Force and another group of drivers who will be looking for points and run-off places.

The 1601cc to 2000cc Racing Car Class – Normally Aspirated – K(i)

The GWR Pediaor driven by Johnathen Varley.has to start favourite in this class. He produced a great second timed run in May that gave him victory. There are nine drivers entered so it’s going to tough for Johnathen particularly as Tim Elmer and his Dallara who was just 0.09s behind Johnathen in May.

The 1601cc to 2000cc Racing Car Class – Forced Induction – K(ii)

This class has another good entry including Richard Spedding who was third in the British Hill Climb Championship last year in his GWR Raptor. He will have a tough battle against Paul Haines in the Gould GR59 and Lee Griiffiths with the OMS. All of them will be looking for Run-Off places in addition to class wins.

The Over 2000cc Racing Car Class – L

The class brings the fastest cars and drivers to the hill. The class is most likely to produce the driver / car combination that will take Fastest Time of the Day. The British Championship has just a few rounds to go and is very much in progress and undecided (as at the time of writing).

Will Hall took Fastest Time of the Day in May and both Top Twelve Run-Off wins, one jointly with Trevor Willis. You will also need to look out for Jason Mourant in the Gould GR55, Wallace Menzies and his Gould GR59M, Dave Uren and Nicola Menzies in their GR55, They will all be looking to qualify for Top Twelve Run Off places too.

The Sports and Racing Car Built up to 1971 Class – M

This class is full of beautiful classic racing and sports cars, Geoff Hunt’s Lotus 22, the Chevron B19 of Amanda and Richard George, Sue Hayes’ Palliser WDF3, Mike Broome and his Alexis Mk17 F3 and the Brabham BT35 of Christopher Bentley-Jones. The winner in this class will probably be Amanda or Richard but we are all winners watching these gorgeous cars compete.

The Sports and Racing Car Built up to 1985 Class – N

Roger Dean in his Lola T142 is the only entrant in this class.

The SBD HSA Speed Championship – Class A2 Saloons and Sports Cars

There is a small entry in this class, just three cars. Martin Ellis in his Escort should take the win here.

The SBD HSA Speed Championship – Class A2.1 Mazda MX5s

The Mazda MX5 class has a small entry, just two cars. The 1800cc of Ken Morris should over-come the 1600cc car of Stephen Dally.

The SBD HSA Speed Championship – Class C3 Modified Saloons and Sports Cars

There are just two entrants, a Lotus Espirt driven by Nicholas Olson and Subaru Impreza of Chris Berrisford. Chris is the likely winner here.

Copyright: Akina Media

The SBD HSA Speed Championship – Class D Modified Specialist Sports Cars

There are three entrants in two cars. Looking at this class the win is likely to go to the Caterham Superlight of Lynn Gilbert and Chris Howard-Harris.

The SBD HSA Speed Championship – Class J and J1 Racing Cars

With just one entrant, Mark Schlanker in his OMS.

The BARC SW B Licence Class

The BARC South West B Licence Class will run last. The class has a variety of cars and drivers who hold MSA Speed B Licences. On current form it’ll be between Martin Watson and his Westfield and Steve Holland in his Caterham. Martin will probably snatch the win but there will be plenty of drivers wanting to chase him down.

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 25th and Sunday 26th August
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