Sunday 23rd April saw the first round of the Meadens Skoda Gurston Down Hill Climb Championship and The Cavendish Ships Stores Top Ten Challenge.
The results of the first round produced some interesting results, perhaps even some surprises.
The Cavendish Ships Stores Top Ten Challenge
Jonathan Gates leads the challenge after his Fastest Time of the Day run in the Force LM he shares with Peter Sexton, Managing Director of Gurston Down’s main championship sponsor, Meadens Skoda, who is third.
Peter D Smith is second in the Empire he shares with Richard Gaylard, who is fourth.
Chris Cannell and his Force SR8 is fifth.
The full table reads:
| After Round One |
Points |
| Jonathan Gates |
10 |
| Peter D Smith |
9 |
| Peter Sexton |
8 |
| Richard Gaylard |
7 |
| Chris Cannell |
6 |
| Mike Rudge |
5 |
| James Moore |
4 |
| Martin Watson |
3 |
| Anthony Orchard |
2 |
| Sue Hayes |
1 |
Meadens Skoda Gurston Down Hill Climb Championship
The Meadens Skoda Gurston Down Hill Climb Championship is currently lead by Mark Crookall from the Gurston Down Mazda MX5 class. He broke his existing class record on Sunday by just 0.03s which gave him the extra bonus point that makes him championship leader.
The next three have 21.50 points, Stephen Moore, the 2015 and 2016 champion, Neil Turner and Chris Cannell.
The next three are Simon Purcell, the 2014 champion on 21.23 points, James Moore 21.20 points and Tim Forster on 21 points.
| After Round One |
Points |
| Mark Crookall |
22.50 |
| Stephen Moore |
21.50 |
| Neil Turner |
21.50 |
| Chris Cannell |
21.50 |
| Simon Purcell |
21.23 |
| James Moore |
21.20 |
| Tim Forster |
21.00 |
There are a number of people with scores very close to these top seven drivers, including some former champions so it’ll be good to see how the season pans out.
The next rounds of both championships are on our 50th Anniversary weekend in June! With a round both days, there might be more clarity in how this season will go. Although if last season is anything to go by, they may be settled on the final runs of the season!
The full class tables are available online.
We would like to thank all of our sponsors for their support in our 50th Anniversary year!
Anthony Record – Press Officer – BARC SW, Gurston Down Speed Hill Climb