Sunday 23rd April brought the riders from the National Hill Climb Association’s motorbike championship to Gurston Down Speed Hill Climb.
The riders and their machines always produce some spectacular racing and Sunday did not disappoint. If you’d like to see more action on video, check out our Facebook page!
The Solo Motor Cycles 100cc to 250cc class, went first, it had eight entrants. With Gurston being one of the early events in the year it was very difficult to predict. Callum Short on Honda competing for the first time at Gurston Down put in an great performance. His time of 38.43s was almost one second quicker than his nearest rival.
The bigger Solo Motor Cycles 351cc to 500cc class, went next. Chris Keates (Honda CRF), Mark Tilley (Honda CR) and Richard Bowker (Honda CRF) finished as the top three. Chris finished just 0.21s ahead of Mark. Chris’s time was 35.99s.
The Solo Motor Cycles 501cc to 750cc class had six entries. Peter Short and KTM had a poor second run which left Tommy Hodges (KTM SMR) to take the win. Tommy’s second timed run of 34.11s was just 0.88s quicker than Peter’s first timed run of 34.89s. Mark Short (Aprilia SXV) was about one second adrift of these times and finished third.
The Solo Motor Cycles 751cc to 1300cc class saw Stuart Mills who take the win with a fine performance on his Aprilla Tuono. Paul Jeffery and his KTM was ahead after the first timed run but Stuart had a brilliant second run meaning he qualified fastest for the Top Ten Run-Off! Stuart’s time was 34.05s and Paul’s 34.17s. You can see Stuart’s run on video on our Facebook page!
Then it was the turn of 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!
The Side-Car class was won by last April’s winners and hill record holders, Patrick and Paul Keates in the Baker F1. They finished on 37.14s. The Guy / Pilmoor-Brady combination were second with a 37.33s
The bike meeting closed with a Top Ten Run-off. It was the Fastest Time of the Day man Stuart Mills who came across the line stopping the clocks on 34.02s just ahead of Paul Jeffery, last years winner, on 34.15s.
If you want to see more of the bikes at Gurston Down, they are back later in the year at our 50th Anniversary Meeting on Saturday 17th and 18th June!
Anthony Record – Press Officer – BARC SW, Gurston Down Speed Hill Climb