WOW! It Really was an Awesome weekend!

The sun shone on Gurston Down and the crowds came!

DaveUatline

Copyright: Anthony Record

Saturday morning was a little damp with some over-night rain but it didn’t stop some great times being posted in practice.

Sunday’s timed runs produced some spectacular performances.

The two top twelve runs-offs were close. Run-off one, Round 7 of the BHC Championship, was won by Trevor Willis (26.12s) with the top five being separated by just 0.50s… Scott Moran just 0.07s off Trevor’s pace, Wallace Menzies and David Uren just 0.38s and 0.42s slower respectively.

TrevorWillis

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Run-off two, Round 8 of the BHC Championship, was Scott Moran’s after a 26.10s run with Trevor Willis (26.25s) and Wallace Menzies (26.73s) second and third respectively.

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The Fastest Time of the Day went to Scott Moran with his second run-off time of 26.10s.

ScottWaving

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Scott still leads the Avon Tyres / TTC Group MSA British Hillclimb Championship with 79 points, Trevor Willis second with 62, Dave Uren is third with 39 and Wallace Menzies forth with 33 points.

What will the positions be when they return at the end of August?

Class Results in Detail:

The BARC South West B Licence Class got the event under way. The class had a wide range of different cars, all BARC SW members who don’t hold National A licences. James Gibson (31.75s) in his OMS Hornet took the lead in the first timed run and produced a better time in the second run, fending off Marin Watson’s Westfield (32.35s) and Steve Holland’s Caterham (32.69s). Dean Cubitt and his Mazda MX5 (41.89s) has improved since his first event in April and would have set a new record in the MX5 class had that class been running. Gordon Weston’s engine work has improved his performance in his lovely red Porsche 924.

No14

Copyright: Akina Media

Next up were the Porsche Club’s National Championship Class. Peter Turnbull and his 911 GT3 (34.42s) had an interesting battle with Paul Howells in his 911 RSR, finishing on 34.79s. Robert Lancaster-Gaye’s 911 Turbo fighting off Andy Norris (911 Carrera S) to take third..

No36

Copyright: Akina Media

The Road Going Series Production Car Class up to 2000cc saw Paul Webster, Gurston’s competition secretary in his Mazda MX5 take the win with a 38.21s, Steve Harris couldn’t get his previous form back to challenge Paul.

Webbo

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The over 2000cc Road Going Series Production Car Class, saw Simon Neve and his Mitsubishi Evo 2.3t secure the win with a 34.84s run. Both Jamie Powell in his Mitsubishi Evo and Neil Duncanson in his Audi Quattro couldn’t match his pace, and were second and third respectively.

SimonNeve

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History was made by David Finlay in the Chairman’s Invitation Class, no Production Hydrogen Fuel Cell car had every competed in a hill climb anywhere else in the world before. The electric Toyota Mirai in a stunning chrome wrap managed a 44.44s run. That’s a record for an electric car at Gurston! The car, part of Toyota’s press fleet was being driven by David Finlay, journalist and racing driver, as part of the Multi-Car Hill Climb Challenge.

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The Road Going Specialist Production Car Class saw the Warburton’s, David and Allan’s Caterham take first and second. David beat his father by just 0.61s. Adrian Lewis just couldn’t match the pace of the Warburton’s Caterham.

No749

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Andrew Russell in his Gineta G15 won the up to 1400cc Modified Series Production Car Class.

AndyRussel

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Colin Satchell’s dominance of the 1400cc to 2000cc Modified Series Production Car Class continues (33.36s). He and his rapid (that’s an understatement!) Peugeot 205 saw off Ralph Pinder and his 205. Another two class wins for Colin won’t hurt his Avon Tyres / TTC Group MSA Hill Climb Leaders Championship challenge.

Satch

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Simon Purcell and his Lotus Exige (34.07s) had to work hard for his win in the Over 2000cc Modified Series Production Car Class. The former Gurston champion needed some great runs to beat Geoff Tremlow’s Subaru Impreza (34.67s). Tim Painter and Andrew Fraser in the Aston Martin Vantage were split by Mark Walker and his Porsche Cayman S.

SimonPurcell

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The Modified Specialist Production Cars Class saw Mike Rudge and the Westfield Sei (31.32s) kept Simon Jenks and Antony Orchard at bay to take the win.

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Jonathan Gates took the up to 2000cc Sports Libre Car Class from Peter Sexton, the Gurston Down Championship sponsor, in their shared supercharged Force LM by just one hundredth of a second. Jonathan Gates finishing on 29.86s and Peter Sexton on 29.87s!

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The amazing Manic Beattie of Nic Mann won the over 2000cc Sports Libre Car Class with a stunning (28.32s). Which would have been a qualifing time for the run-off had he been a registered contender! The mental Mini Evo of Allan McDonald (30.95s), with a new personal best, finished third just behind Gurston regular Chris Cannell in his Force SR8 (30.39s).

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Les Buck won the up to 600cc Racing Car Class in his OMS Hornet.

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As expected the huge over 601 to 1100cc Racing Car Class produced a fabulous run by Simon Fidoe in his Empire Wraith after a failed first run. His time of 30.46s pipped Thomas Poole by just 0.06s… Darren Gumbley took forth in the Fidoe / Gumbley Empire Wraith. The top nine in this class were separated by just 1.5s!

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Simon McBeath (Swift SC92F) won the Formula Ford Class with a 37.07s, dispite having starter motor problems earlier in the weekend. We look forward to the Formula Ford Fest, later in the year.

SamMB

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The 1100cc to 1600cc Racing Car Class saw Ed Hollier’s Empire Evo, Sean Gould and Eynon Price’s Gould GR59 fight it out for the win. All three being separated by just 0.4s, Ed Hollier winning with a 28.47s.

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Tim Davies’ Pilbeam MP88 (29.55s) won the 1601cc to 2000cc Racing Car Class – Normally Aspirated Car Class beating Tim Elmer’s Dallara.

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An outstanding performance by Dave Uren 1601cc to 2000cc Racing Car Class – Forced Induction Class in the Force PC he shares with Nicola Menzies, gave him the class by almost 2 seconds. He finished on a 26.80s. Paul Haimes finished second on 28.60s with the Marsh brothers, Simon and Peter finishing third and fourth. Although they were non starters for the second timed run.

daveuren

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Trevor Willis (OMS 28) won the Over 2000cc Racing Car Class with a great performance. Both Scott Moran (Gould GR61X) and Wallace Menzies were all very close. Will Hall (Force WH-XTEC) didn’t have a great day, a small incident at Ashes meant a failed run in the second timed runs.

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The Lotus 7 Club Championship had five classes this weekend. They were all very entertaining, particularly in Karousel and Ashes!

The Lotus 7 Club Championship Class 1 – Cars Up to 125 bhp – Robert Jacobs’s, 38.49s run is in winning form. He beat Paul Boston by just 0.09s.

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The Lotus 7 Club Championship Class 2 – Cars up to 150 bhp – List 1A Tyres – Mike Cocker, the current championship leader was pipped by David Nelson who won the class with a 37.50s run, only 0.08s ahead of Mike.

No530

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The Lotus 7 Club Championship Class 3 – Cars up to 150 bhp – List 1B Tyres – Just one hundreth of a second decided this! The lead swapping between the first and second runs. Daniel Malkin (36.19s) beating Richard Price (36.20s). The top five in this class were separated by just one second.

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The Lotus 7 Club Championship – Class 4 – Car up to 210 bhp – Jeremy Davis’ first run of 35.16s couldn’t be matched by Michael Sankey’s. Michael’s first run was also his best at 35.33s.

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The Lotus 7 Club Championship – Class 6/7 – Simon Rogers first timed run of 32.40s saw off Robert Margel’s 32.50s first run time. Neither of them could improve in their second runs.

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We would like to thank everyone who made the day possible, the Toyota Press Team, Steve in particular for being the technical representative, 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

WOW! An Awesome weekend!

The sun shone on Gurston Down and the crowds came!

Saturday morning was a little damp with some over-night rain but it didn’t stop some great times being posted.

Sunday’s timed runs produced some spectacular performances.

The two top twelve runs-offs were close. Run-off one, Round 7 of the BHC Championship, was won by Trevor Willis (26.12s) with the top five being separated by just 0.50s… Scott Moran just 0.07s off Trevor’s pace, Wallace Menzies and David Uren just 0.38s and 0.42s slower respectively.

TrevorWillis

Copyright: Akina Media

Run-off two, Round 8 of the BHC Championship, was Scott Moran’s after a 26.10s run with Trevor Willis (26.25s) and Wallace Menzies (26.73s) second and third respectively.

ScottMoran1

Copyright: Akina Media

The Fastest Time of the Day went to Scott Moran with his second run-off time of 26.10s.

ScottMoran2

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Scott maintains his lead in the BHC Championship but it’s been cut by one pint to 16 points.

The Hydrogen Fuel Cell Toyota Mirai arrived on Friday for some promotional filming. It was a little brighter than expected!

DavidFinlay

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David Finlay managed a 44.44s, a world record for a Production Hydrogen Fuel Cell car in a speed event! (then again it was the first time one had competed!)

Full Meeting Report to follow

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

The British are Coming!

Gurston Down Speed Hill Climb hosts the first of two visits of the British Hill Climb Championship on 28th and 29th May. Both the Avon Tyres / TTC Group MSA British Hill Climb Championship and the Avon Tyres / TTC Group MSA Hill Climb Leaders Championship will be competing.

The weekend will be full of glorious sounds, smells, skill and speed. Over 130 cars and drivers will compete in standard road cars, specially prepared hill climb cars and spectacularly fast fast sport and single seat racing cars. All of them will pit their wits against each other, the clock and the fast, twisty course at Wiltshire’s famous Speed Hill Climb Venue.

Scott Moran

Copyright: Akina Media

Spectators have unrivalled 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!

Saturday is practice day. There will be three practice runs, two in the morning and one after lunch.

On Sunday there will be an early morning practice followed by one timed run before lunch and 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 allows the fastest twelve 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! The current leader in the championship is Scott Moran, five time champion and hill record holder at 25.37s…

History will also be made this weekend. A WORLD first for a hydrogen fuel cell car and the first standard production car powered by hydrogen fuel cell to compete in a Speed Hill Climb event – a Toyota Mirai.

Toyota Mirai

The Mirai, part of Toyota’s press fleet, is being driven by journalist and racing driver David Finlay. David is the editor of the online motoring magazine www.roofsideup.com, and is also part of the Multi-Car Hillclimb Challenge.

The Lotus 7 Club Championship bring 30 cars in a variety of classes. The competition between these drivers is fierce and tends to lead to class hill records!

The Porsche Club’s National Championship bring six 911’s.

BARC South West members also compete in a class of the own.

The Fastest Time of Day is far too difficult to call. You’ll need to be there to find out!

Class Preview in Detail:

The BARC South West B Licence Class will run first. The class has a variety of cars and drivers. James Gibson in his OMS Hornet should see off Steve Holland’s Caterham and Marin Watson’s Westfield.

The Porsche Club’s National Championship Class has an all 911 line-up. The form book says Peter Turnbull, Jonathan Williamson and Paul Howells should be in the top three but Robert Lancaster-Gaye’s lovely 911 Turbo should be in the mix.

JB-911

Copyright: John Brown

History is made when the quietest, greenest and most unusual car, a Toyota Mirai competes in the Chairman’s Invitation Class. It’s an electric car with the electricity being generated by a hydrogen fuel cell. The car, part of Toyota’s press fleet will be driven by David Finlay, journalist and racing driver, as part of the Multi-Car Hill Climb Challenge.

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The Road Going Series Production Car Class up to 2000cc has just three cars entered. The honours are likely to go to Paul Webster, Gurston’s competition secretary in his Mazda MX5 but Steve Harris in his rapid Vauxhall Corsa won’t let Paul have it all his way

Webbo

Copyright: Akina Media

The over 2000cc Road Going Series Production Car Class, also has just three cars entered. Simon Neve’s Mitsubishi Evo 2.3t has the form to win. But we didn’t see the car in April. Neil Duncanson in his Audi Quattro and Jamie Powell in his Mitsubishi Evo, who is new to Gurston, will have their work cut out to snatch a win.

SimonNeve

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The Road Going Specialist Production Car Class brings the Warburton’s, David and Allan, Caterham to the hill. Adrian Lewis will have to work for a win.

DaveWarburton

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The up to 1400cc Modified Series Production Car Class sees Andrew Russell’s Gineta G15 up against David Bean’s Mini. Andy will probably take the win.

AndrewRussell

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The 1400cc to 2000cc Modified Series Production Car Class pits the two Peugeot 205’s of Ralph Pinder and Colin Satchell against Dee Stapley’s MGF. This year’s previous events in the national championships suggest Colin, the current leader of the Avon Tyres / TTC Group MSA Hill Climb Leaders Championship, will take the class.

ColinSatchell

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The Over 2000cc Modified Series Production Car Class has former Gurston champion, Simon Purcell in his Lotus Exige up against Geoff Tremlow’s beautiful Subaru Impreza, Tim Painter and Andrew Fraser’s stunning Aston Martin Vantage, Mark Walker’s Porsche and the Datsun 240z of Steph Colvin and Hannah Stapley. It will probably be between Simon and Geoff for first place.

Copyright: Akina Media

Copyright: Akina Media

Mike Rudge will have his work cut out in the Modified Specialist Production Cars Class with a field of four highly competitive drivers. The class win could go to any of the drivers. It will depend on the day!

The up to 2000cc Sports Libre Car Class is likely to be headed up by the supercharged Force LM shared by Jonathan Gates and Peter Sexton.

Gates

Copyright: Akina Media

The over 2000cc Sports Libre Car Class sees the Manic Beattie of Nic Mann and the Mini Evo of Allan McDonald against Gurston regulars Chris Cannell, Sue Hayes (Force SR8) and Keith Diggle (WEV HCS). Nic Mann should win this battle.

NicMann

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Les Buck goes in the up to 600cc Racing Car Class in his OMS Hornet.

The 601 to 1100cc Racing Car Class has a huge entry! Simon Fidoe in his Empire Wraith, Adam Steel (Marlet AS1), Steve Owen (OMS 28), Oliver and Liam Cooper (Force HC), to name just a few should make this a very close class.

EmpireWraith

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The Formula Ford Class sees Simon McBeath as favourite. Nev Rollason and Mark Alley won’t let him have it all his way. With similar cars, this class will be decided on the day.

SimonMcBeath

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Geoff Hunt’s glorious Lotus 22 should be back and is the only car in the Racing Car Upto 1985 Class.

The 1100cc to 1600cc Racing Car Class puts Ed Hollier in his Empire Evo up against Peter D Smith’s Force, Sean Gould and Eynon Price’s Gould GR59 and eight other drivers! On early season form, there’s no real favourite here.

The 1601cc to 2000cc Racing Car Class – Normally Aspirated – has five cars and seven drivers competing. Tim Davies’ Pilbeam MP88 has Gurston form but Tim Elmer took the win at Harewood earlier in the month.

The 1601cc to 2000cc Racing Car Class – Forced Induction – bring David Uren and Nicola Menzies’ Force PC back to Gurston. The Marsh brothers, Simon and Peter will have to use all their local knowledge to catch David Uren.

NicholaMenzies

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The Over 2000cc Racing Car Class will be another class that will be difficult to predict. Wallace Menzies should be back in his Gould GR55 NME after problems in Northern Ireland, Will Hall (Force) should have sorted his throttle issues now, Graham Wynn might be out in the ex-John Bradburn GR55. Tony Hunt and Terry Graves (GR55), Jason Mourant (GR55), Trevor Willis (OMS) and Sandra Tomlin (Pilbeam) will all have to work to beat Scott Moran (GR61x) who is properly “in form” this season and current leads the championship.

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Copyright: John Brown

The Fastest Time of the Day should go to one of the Top Twelve Run-Off competitors but which one? Only time will tell!

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The Lotus 7 Club Championship has five classes in May. They are always entertaining and highly competitive. Classes are broadly based on BHP but the rules aren’t quite that straight forward. Note championship standings do not take account of the results of Curborough on 15th May.

Caterham

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The Lotus 7 Club Championship Class 1 – Cars Up to 125 bhp – with five drivers in this class and with his current championship lead, Robert Jacobs is likely to take this class.

The Lotus 7 Club Championship Class 2 – Cars up to 150 bhp – List 1A Tyres – Mike Cocker, the current championship leader shouldn’t be far off the pace but the seven other drivers won’t let him take the class easily.

The Lotus 7 Club Championship Class 3 – Cars up to 150 bhp – List 1B Tyres – ten drivers compete for the honours. Richard Price must be favourite as he is the current championship leader.

The Lotus 7 Club Championship – Class 4 – Car up to 210 bhp – Jeremy Davis and Michael Sankey will have good battle. Michael Sankey is the current leader in the championship.

The Lotus 7 Club Championship – Class 6/7 – Cars not in classes 1 to 4 – Shaun Elwell and Robert Margel, the current leaders in classes 6 and 7 will be a good bet for the win.

Another exciting weekend of at Gurston Down Speed Hill Climb – Don’t Miss It!

INFO:

Saturday 28th May
Practice for the first visit of contenders in the British Hillclimb and Leaders Championships.
Admission £6.00 per person, Car parking free, Children under 15 free.
Gates open 0800; practice from 0830; two practice sessions before lunch, one further practice session after lunch.

Sunday 29th May
Speed Event, Nat A; the first visit of he year of contenders in the British Hillclimb and Leaders Championships.
Admission £10.00 per person, Car parking free, Children under 15 free.
Gates open 0800; final practice from 0830; first class runs from about 1030; first top-twelve run-off at about 1300; lunch; second class runs from about 1415; second top-twelve run-off at about 1600.

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

Motorsport History will be made in May

Motorsport history will be made at Gurston Down Speed Hill Climb on the weekend of May 28/29. The most unusual, certainly the quietest, and probably the “greenest”, of the cars taking part in the British Hillclimb Championship event will be a Toyota Mirai, which has no engine but produces energy for it’s electric motor through a hydrogen fuel cell.

Toyota Mirai
No such car has ever competed in the UK (or Europe) before, and the Mirai’s participation at Gurston will be under the watchful eye of motorsport’s governing body in this country, the MSA.

It will be a WORLD first for a hydrogen fuel cell car and the first standard production car powered by hydrogen fuel cell to compete in a Speed Hill Climb event.

The Mirai, part of Toyota’s press fleet, is being loaned to journalist and racing driver David Finlay for this event. David is the editor of the online motoring magazine roofsideup.com, and is also part of the Multi-Car Hillclimb Challenge. Sponsored by Primo plc Multi Vehicle Insurance, and raising awareness for the Nationwide Association of Blood Bikes, the Challenge involves competing in a different manufacturer press car at every round of the British Championship.

“I’ve been involved in some strange motorsport projects before, but never anything quite like this,” says David. “The idea of breaking new ground is very exciting. Of course the Mirai isn’t a racing car, but I’ll be driving it as quickly as I can, and whatever else happens I’ll be the most environmentally responsible driver at the meeting. The only thing the Mirai will emit is a very small amount of extremely clean water. I’ll do more damage to the environment if I sneeze.

“The Mirai is also exceptionally quiet. I’ll probably be able to hear the spectators talking about me as I drive up the hill, so I’d better not make a mess of it.”

Toyota Mirai

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

May Entries Now Closed

Entry for the May National meeting has now closed. Look out for the preview soon, but with a full entry list it looks like it will be an exciting weekend……

Copyright - John Hayward

Copyright – John Hayward

Don’t forget entries for both of the June meetings close on the 20th May.