Tony Marsh Memorial Weekend – Event Report

What a great weekend! The Tony Marsh Memorial Weekend brought 130 cars and 30 motorbikes to Gurston Down Speed Hill Climb.

The weekend was four rounds of the Meadens Skoda Gurston Down Championship and two rounds of the Cavendish Ships Stores Top Ten Challenge.

Both the Championship and the Challenge are in their early stages with no clear leaders or likely championship contenders. However, the June meetings changed all that. Some drivers putting down some excellent performances has lead to clear leaders in both. More on those later.

The highlight of the weekend was The Tony Marsh Memorial Trophy. It is awarded to the Meadens Skoda Championship Competitor who makes the greatest improvement in or is nearest to their respective class record in either of the June meetings.

Mark Crookall, in the MX5 class won it for a record third year in succession by improving the existing record which now stand at 40.34s.

Together with the regular Meadens Skoda Gurston Down Championship classes, there are a number of invited clubs.

Saturday’s Invited Classes:

The ACSMC Registered Road Legal Cars Class. With the variety of cars in this class which is an amalgamation of all of the ACSMC classes, each competitor is competing for honours in their original class. The Mitsubishi Evo of Clive Stangle took the win with a new class record of 34.93s. Jenny Stangle in the Mitsubishi Evo she shares with Clive was second. A great day for the Stangles!

ASWMC Registered Road Legal Cars ran next. There were just three cars / driver combinations entered. After the first timed runs, Steve Ellis in his Ford Escort was almost a second ahead of Tony Wiltshire in his Lotus Elise. In the second timed runs, Tony improved his time by over a second and took the lead. However, it wasn’t to be. Steve improved on his second run which was good enough to take the win by just 0.25s.

Next to run was the Midland Speed Championship. The class had five entries. Aaron Walters in his Toyota Celica GT4 took the class winalmost a second ahead of his nearest rival, Martin Walters in his 500 Abarth. Aaron’s time was38.83s with Martin’s being 40.29s.

The 500 Owners Association Championship, sponsored by Riley Cranes had a great entry, unfortunately only two managed to get to the line. Vic Deane in his Cooper Mk9 took the win with a 45.23s, second timed run.

Sunday’s Invited Classes:

It’s great to see the Volvo Owners Club Class competing. The current class record holder, Richard Conway in his PV544 started favouite and stamped his authority on the class from the outset. He was almost two seconds ahead of Kevin Diamond in then Amazon. Neither could improve their times on the second timed run so Richard took the win, finishing on 44.17s and Keith on 46.76s.

The Bugatti Owners Club Championship came to the start line next. Their championship is subject to rules that include a handicap. Our results are purely based on finishing times. This fastest time was Richard Jones in his Brabham BT29X with a 31.92s run. Second was Steve Darley in his Leastone F5, 35.02s and third was Nick Stevens on 36.04s in his Lotus 51b.

Picture: Martin Woolmington

The Pirelli Ferrari Championship class went next. David Snelson is his 430 won the class with a 36.92s second timed run. Paul Booth and his 458 Spider was second on 39.09s and Pauline Goodwin in her 328 on 41.07s.

Picture: Martin Woolmington

The Midland Speed Championship returned for the second day. Aaron Jones in his Toyota Celica GT made it two in a run. His time was an improvement on Saturday’s time at 37.81s and David Reed in the Lotus 61FF second on 40.86s.

Gurston Down Regular Classes:

The Gurston Down Mazda MX5 Class, supported by The Window Doctor ran next. Saturday saw Mark Crookall take the win, a new class record and as a consequence the Tony Marsh Memorial Trophy for the third year running. The record is now 40.34s. Jason Richardson took second place with a 41.04s.

Sunday saw the positions reversed. Jason’s first timed run came in at 40.63s with Mark on 40.75s. Their second timed run were a dead-heat at 41.07s so Jason took the win. Third on both days was Chris Burch, who shares Mark’s RS was third both days. Better watch out, this class championship looks like it will go all the way to the wire.

Picture: Martin Woolmington

The Road Going Series Production Class up to 1400cc is a new class this season and seems to be becoming popular. There were only two entries on Saturday but four on Sunday. John Davey in his MG Midget, the Managing Director of our Top Ten Challenge sponsor took the class both days. Finishing on 41.83s on Saturday and 41.47s on Sunday.

The Record-Designs supported Road Going Series Production Class 1401cc to 2000cc went next. It was a big class with similar entries both days. Paul Dickinson in his new car, a Honda S2000 stamped his authority on this class during the June meetings. Not only did he take the class win both days but he took charge of the overall Meadens Skoda Championship too. Paul’s Saturday time was 38.14s and Sunday 38.42s.

Dean Cubitt’s Mazda MX5 has some mechanical issues prior to the meeting so he competed in a borrowed Honda S2000. Second on Saturday was Tim Forster in the newly rebuilt Lotus Elan after the fire at Goodwood. Third was Ronald King in his Renault Clio. Tim finished on 38.86s and Ronald 39.40s.

Sunday saw a great run by Rob Brodie in his Clio which has had a little work over the past few weeks, that have paid off. His second place time was 39.36s. Third was Chris Davies in a Honda Civic with a 39.49s second timed run.

Picture: Martin Woolmington

The Over 2000cc Road Going Series Production Class supported by Turbo Dynamics went next. Saturday saw the current class record holder and former Gurston Down Champion, Stephen Moore and his Evo 6 take the win with a 34.93s run. After a year or so absence, Simon Neve brought his Mitsubishi Evo back to the hill and took second place with a 36.53s run, pipping the Lewis Dean Subaru Impreza of Shaun Fudge by just 0.14s.

On Sunday, Simon Neve took the win with a 36.21s. Shaun Fudge was second with a 36.93s run and the Mazda MX5 driven by Jon Maycock third on 37.26s.

The Fieldfare Trailer Centre supported Road Going Specialist Production Class had another strong entry on Saturday. Adrian Lewis and his Westfield Superbusa and Clive Skipper and the Caterham 7 HPC started favourites. Clive was on top form, he took the win both days by very small margins. On Saturday Clive finished on 35.38s with Adrian on 36.30s. Sunday was much closer, with Clive on 34.38s and Adrian on 34.65s after the first timed run. Unfortunately, neither could go quicker in the second timed run.

Picture: Martin Woolmington

There is just one Modified Limited Production Marque Sports Cars up to 2000cc Class saw Elen Worthington in her Lotus Elise compete on her own and stopped the clock on 37.65s. On Sunday, Andrew Hurle in his Sylva Phoenix managed a 39.59s run.

The Over 2000cc Modified Limited Production Marque Sports Car Class had just two entries on Saturday and four on Sunday. On Saturday Graham Beale and his Ginetta took the win over Phil Price and his 911RS. But it was close, Graham’s time was 35.05s and Phil 35.19s.

Phil Price and his 911 turned the tables on Sunday. It wasn’t quite as close as Saturday but both went a little quicker. Phil stopped the clock on 34.36s and Graham 34.95s.

The all Mini Up to 1400cc Modified Series Production Class ran next. The class record holder, Neil Turner won both days. On Saturday he stopped the clocks on 35.51s with James White 36.35s.

On Sunday, Neil took the win with a 35.65s first timed run with Derek Mullis second finishing on 38.66s.

 

The Over 2000cc Modified Series Production Class, supported by Meadens Skoda took to the hill next. Saturday saw Chris Berrisford in his Subaru Impreza took the win from Tim Painter in the Aston Martin Vantage. Chris stopped the clocks on 35.33s with Tim just 0.50s behind.

On Sunday Stephen Moore brought his modified Mitsubishi Evo to the class. Stephen stamped his authority on the class with a first timed ruin of 33.88s and then improved his time finishing and winning the class on 33.35s. Tim Painter took second.

The huge entry in the Gates of Brokenhurst supported Modified Specialist Production Class always produces some very close results. Saturday was no exception. Steve Holland took the win with his Caterham Hayabusa with a 32.89s second timed run with Martin Watson in his Westfield SeiW second just 0.08s behind. Ritchie Gatt was third.

On Sunday it was all change! Martin Watson took the win, 32.51s with Ritchie Gatt and the Westfield SeiW, second on 32.86s and Steve Holland third on 32.99s.

The Kelvin Jouhar supported Historically Interesting Class was next to the line. Fryth Crosse and his Dempster Ensign LNF3 took the class both days with a 34.49s on Saturday and a 34.35s on Sunday. Sue Hayes was second with Amanda and Richard George swapping places for third and fourth.

Mark Mortimer in his Mallock17b has the Hill Climb Super Sports Class to himself on Saturday but was amalgamated with the Sport Libre Class on Sunday. His time on Saturday was better on Saturday than Sunday.

The Sports Libre up to 1400cc Class had a good entry on Saturday and had the addition of Mark Mortimer on Sunday. Tim Pitfeild’s troubles with his DJ Firecat continued with gearbox issues which cause him to withdraw. Peter Steel scooped the wins on both days with a 34.39s on Saturday and 33.99s on Sunday.

The Lewis Property Services supported Sports Libre 1400cc to 2000cc Class had a great entry but retirements forced two competitors out on Saturday. On Saturday the class was won by the WEV HCS-BDG of Keith Diggle.

On Sunday Keith’s class was amalgamated with the over 2000cc class.

The Sports Libre over 2000cc Class has two entries both days. Chris Cannell with the Force SR8 and Geoff Twemlow’s Saker GT. On Saturday, Chris took the win whilst Geoff struggled with his “self-steering” Saker and withdraw on Sunday. The two Sport Libre classes being amalgamated left Keith Diggle fighting with Chris Cannell for the win. Chris went a little slower as issues arose with the SR8 but his first timed run was enough to take the class win

The 601cc to 1100cc Racing Car Class, supported by Drynham Project Management Limited saw James Moore and his Empire Evo 2 take the win from Tony Levitt in another Evo. James’s time was 31.83s on Saturday and 31.75s on Sunday. Tony’s times were 32.49s and 32.12s respectively.

The NTM Training supported Formula Ford class had just one entry on Saturday. Carole Nicholls in her Nike Mk4 stopped the clocks on 43.63s.

On Sunday we saw Richard and Georgia Yeomans with their Crossle 25F. The victor on the day was Richard. His time was 39.83s.

The SM AeRoTechniques supported, 1101cc to 1600cc Racing Car Class went next. There is a relatively small entry both days. The shared Force PT of Peter D Smith and Richard Gayland won both days in the hands of Peter. He also set Fastest Time of the Day both days. His times were 30.13s on Saturday and 30.00s on Sunday.

The 1601cc to 2000cc Racing Car – Normally Aspirated and the Over 2000cc Racing Car Classes were amalgamated. Paul Crute in his Jaguar power OMS 28 won both days.

We would like to thank everyone who made the day possible, the office staff, the marshals, timekeepers, scrutineers and officials without whom we couldn’t run the meeting. Thanks to Ashley Wood Recovery, TSL Timing, Steve Lister, A-Cute Medical Services, Venture Security and Peter Crutcher from Ringwood PA.

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

 

 

 

 

WOW! Great Motorbikes Action at the June Meetings!

Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th June brought thirty bikes, sidecars and riders of the Autocycle Union’s (ACU) National Hill Climb Championship to the fast and twisty Gurston Down Speed Hill Climb.

Picture – John Pike

The riders and their machines produced a great display of skill and spectacular riding. The bikes ran early on both days which meant we all got to see their Top Ten Run-Off. For those who were lucky enough to be watching at the Karousel to Ashes complex you will have seen Tommy Hodges little off and the great riding that gave us the pictures above.

Picture John Pike

Solo Motor Cycles 100cc to 250cc class

Saturday saw Alan Harvey on his Huish Yamaha YZ take the win over John Bottomley on his Ducati. Alan finished on 39.37s. Alan rode alone on Sunday and improved his time, finishing on 38.86s.

Solo Motor Cycles 251cc to 350cc class

Simon Wilson on his Yamaha had the class to himself on Saturday and turned in a 41.15s.

With the additional competition of Steve Atkins and the Greeves on Sunday, not only did Simon take the win but he also improved his time finishing on 40.61s.

Solo Motor Cycles 351cc to 500cc class

The huge entry in this class on Saturday. April’s meeting was settled in the hundredth of a second and the June meetings weren’t any different. George Hodges on his Team GV Honda CRF took the class win with a 35.19s. Chris Keates on his Honda, Callum Short on his KTM and Mike Tilley on his Honda CR were second, third and fourth. They finished on 35.67s, 35.78s and 35.99s respectively.

On Sunday, April’s winner Dan Hurley came back on his Honda CR. Saturday’s winner, George Hodges, couldn’t quite managed to beat Dan, although he did improve his time. The result was Dan Hurley 34.88s, George Hodges 35.08s, Mike Tilley 35.38s, Callum Short 35.58s and Chris Keates 35.68s. Spectacular riding by all.

Picture – John Pike

Solo Motor Cycles 501cc to 750cc class

Tom Short on his KTM SR stamped his authority on this class from the outset on Saturday. Not only did he win the class but he took the Fastest Time of Day too. His class time was 33.25s. Tommy Hodges, Team GV KTM SMR was just three hundredths behind on 33.28s. Dan Hurley on his Husaberg was third on 34.78s and Guy Ursell, on his KTM was fourth finishing on 34.82s.

Tom Short repeated the class win, this time stopping the clocks on 32.88s. Tommy Hodges couldn’t quite match his pace on Sunday and finished second on 33.48s. Guy Ursell was third with a 34.68s.

Solo Motor Cycles 751cc to 1300cc class

Saturday’s class had just three entries. Alan Jolly on his Aprilia TZV lead the class and took the win with a 35.56s second timed run. Second placed man Matthew Moggridge on his Suzuki was only 0.19s behind after the first timed run but Alan put in a great second timed run, improving his time and making sure of his win.

Sunday’s class brought Stu Mills, April’s class winner and Fastest Time of the Day man on his Aprilia Tuono V4. He established a two second lead after the first timed run over Alan Jolly. Alan pulled a little back but just wasn’t quite enough. Stu’s time was 33.23s.

Picture – Martin Woolmington

Sidecar Class

The sidecars is such a great class to watch and both days were no exception. After the first timed runs on Saturday, Simon and Jane Foster’s Honda combination was ahead by a good margin from Pat and Paul Keates Baker F1 by over a second. The second timed runs changed all that, Pat and Paul Keates pulled a 36.80s run taking the win.

Sunday was a repeat of Saturday. But this time it was much closer. The Keates were ahead after the first timed run by a heathy margin. But the Foster’s pulled a fantastic runs out of the bag and undercut the Keates first timed run by just 0.09s. Pat and Paul may well have known their time had been beaten when they left the line but they took 0.15s off their previous times winning by just 0.06s!

Top Ten Run Off

Earlier than usual in the meeting, the bikes took their Top Ten Run Off. Tom Short took both run offs with Tommy Hodges, second both days, Guy Ursell, third both days. Dan Hurley and Stu Mills were fourth and fifth on Saturday and their positions reversed on Sunday.

Fastest Time of the Day

Tom Short had an outstanding weekend, with class wins, Top Ten Run-Offs and Fastest Times of the Day too!

Picture – John Pike

 

The July meeting will have a surprise for those who love the motorbikes. There is a plan to run the bikes at this years and future July meetings. This is subject to the appropriate meeting licences. Look out for more information soon!

All other pictures – Steve Lister

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

COMPETITOR INFORMATION – JUNE MEETINGS

Our Competition Secretary has inssued the final set of documents for the June Meetings..

Picture by Linus Etchingham

There have been some minor changes in the batches, paddock and entries. Please make sure you check these AND read the Final Instructions.

Saturday 16th June

Final Instructions Saturday 16 June 2018

Entry list 16th June

Paddock Plan Saturday June 2018

Saturday June 16 Batches

Sunday 17th June

Final Instructions Sunday 17 June 2018

Entry list 17th June

Sunday June Paddock plan

Sunday June 17 2018 Batches

 

 

Anthony Record – Guirston Down Press Officer

 

 

Tony Marsh Memorial Weekend June 2018 – Preview

It’s the Tony Marsh Memorial Weekend on the 16th and 17th June and four rounds of the Meadens Skoda Gurston Down Championship and two rounds of the Cavendish Ships Stores Top Ten Challenge.

Both the Championship and the Challenge are in their early stages. With four rounds of the Championship and two of the Challenge, by the end of the weekend, we should see the top two or three in each class to the fore.

The Tony Marsh Memorial Trophy is awarded to the Meadens Skoda Championship Competitor who makes the greatest improvement in or is nearest to their respective class record in the two June meetings. Mark Crookall and his MX5 has won this for a record two successive years.

We have over 130 cars and drivers together with 30 motorbikes competing on both days with a separate event on Saturday and Sunday.

All will face the challenge of the legendary 12 feet wide, fast and twisty course at Wiltshire’s famous Speed Hill Climb Venue, Gurston Down.

With unrivalled access to the hill, paddock, cars, drivers and facilities available to our spectators, the weekend promises to be a veritable sceptical of sound, smell, skill and speed. We have excellent catering and refreshments on site too!

You really can’t get closer to the action!

In addition to the regular Meadens Skoda Gurston Down Championship classes, there are a number of invited clubs on both days.

Saturday’s Invited Classes:

The double drives in batch three head to hill first in their own very small batch then the ACU National Hill Climb Championship motorbikes and sidecars run in batch two. There is a separate preview for the bikes.

Batch three begins with the ACSMC Registered Road Legal Cars Class. There is a wide range of cars in this class, everything was a the Westfield SEIW of Mike Williams, last years winner, the Lotus Elise of Elen Worthington, David Newman’s Mazda MX5 and Gurston regulars, Jenny and Clive Stangle in the Mitsubishi Evo. The class will probably be between the Westfields of Mike Williams and Steven Wells and the Stangle’s in their Mitsubishi Evo. But with the variety of cars and drivers, this class could be anyone’s.

ASWMC Registered Road Legal Cars run next. There are just three cars / driver combinations entered. The cars are probably very evenly matched so it will be down to the best drive of the day.

Next runs the Midland Speed Championship (formerly the Service Hydraulics Speed Championship). The class has three entries. Dave Reed in his Lotus 61 FF took the win last year and is probably favourite.

The 500 Owners Association Championship has a great entry. Five cars and six drivers will compete in cars designed and built just post war. Some of them are faster than the road going cars of today. Mark Riley, the class sponsor and his 500cc Creamer are likely to take the honours.

Sunday’s Invited Classes:

The Volvo Owners Club Class has just two entries. The current class record holder, Richard Conway in the PV544 and Kevin Diamond in an Amazon. It will probably be Richard who will take the win but both drivers have Gurston experience so you shouldn’t discount Kevin Diamond.

The Bugatti Owners Club Championship will head for the hill next. This class has an eclectic group of cars entered. Everything from a Lotus Type 51b, an Austin Mini, a Jaguar 3.4 Saloon, Brabham BT29X, BT30X, BT21B are amongst the entries.They are always beautifully presented so these will be some of the cars to visit in the paddock.

The Midland Speed Championship returns for it’s second day with one less entry. It will probably be a repeat of the Saturday but hill climbing often throws a curved ball when you are least expecting it.

The Pirelli Ferrari Championship class comes to the line next. There are seven cars with eight drivers entered. There are some lovely cars in this class, spanning at four decades of Ferrari production. We have the Dino shared by Anthony and Iwan Attwood, the F430 of David Snelson, the 328 of Pauline Goodwin and the 355 of John Swith to name just a few. Part of the championship rules is that the cars have to be driven to the event, they can’t come on a trailer. So look out for some great cars on the loacl roads.

The Gurston Down Regular Classes, running both days:

The Gurston Down Mazda MX5 Class, supported by The Window Doctor runs next. All the competitors run both days. The current leader, class record holder and the winner of the2016 and 2017 Tony Marsh Memorial Trophy, Mark Crookall is favourite in this class. But he is having a really tough season so far. He will have to contend with Jason Richardson and Nick Revels, Gurston Competition Secretary, to name just a few. On current season form, these three will be in the first three places, but in which order? And can anyone beat the Class Record to be in with a chance to take the Tony Marsh Memorial Trophy?

The Road Going Series Production Class up to 1400cc is a new class this season and seems to been popular. There are four entries on Saturday and three on Sunday. The class record is 41.28s will probably be in danger as John Davey in his MG Midget set the championship target time at 40.44s. On current form John, the Managing Director of our Top Ten Challenge sponsor should take this class and perhaps the Tony Marsh Memorial Trophy but he will have to work for it.

Next to the line will be the Road Going Series Production Class 1401cc to 2000cc, supported by Record-Designs. It’s a big class with similar entries both days. Dean Cubitt in his Mazda MX5 and Paul Dickinson in his Honda S2000 have Gurston form. Paul is fresh from a great win at the Citroen C1 24hr race at Spa. Tim Forster and the Elan probably won’t make it to the start after a fire a Goodwood last month. If he makes it, Paul and Dean will have a much harder time. Don’t discount the Clio’s of Rob Brodie and Paul Hearne as well as the Honda Civic of Chris and Russell Davies. Top three should include Paul, Dean and one of the others…

The Turbo Dynamics supported Over 2000cc Road Going Series Production Class goes next. This will be a challenging class for most of the entrants as the current class record holder and former Gurston Down Champion, Stephen Moore and his Evo 6 bring his Road Going car to Saturday, then his Modified car on Sunday. Look out for Simon Neve in his Mitsubishi Evo as he comes back after missing a few meetings. And it’s such a competitive class we can’t forget Shaun and Sarah Fudge and their Subaru Impreza or Jon Maycock and his turbo Mazda MX5. With all but two competitors, Stephen Moore and Aaron Watlers, registered for the championship, every timed run will count!

The Fieldfare Trailer Centre supported Road Going Specialist Production Class has another strong entry, although there is a smaller entry on Sunday. Adrian Lewis and his Westfield Superbusa and Clive Skipper and the Caterham 7 HPC will probably be the top two. But with the experienced group and new drivers in this class both days, it’s too difficult to predict who’s going to win this one!

There is just one Modified Limited Production Marque Sports Cars up to 2000cc Class on Sunday, Andrew Hurle so he will be chasing the class record and his personal best.

The Over 2000cc Modified Limited Production Marque Sports Car Class has just two entries on Saturday and four on Sunday. Saturday will be between Graham Beale and his Ginetta and Phil Price and his 911RS. The 911RS will probably snatch the win on Saturday. Both Paul and Graham are back for Sunday along with two others, Bob Mortimer and his 911 and Paul Slade in the Jaguar E Type. Sunday will probably a very different day to Saturday but who’s day will they be?

Then there’s the all Mini line-up with David Bean, Derek Mullis, James White and Neil Turner entered both days in the up to 1400cc Modified Series Production Class. The class record holder, Neil Turner and former record holder James White will have a proper fight on there hands. This is another class where records are pushed back regularly. Another Tony Marsh Memorial Trophy winner here perhaps?

The Over 2000cc Modified Series Production Class, supported by Meadens Skoda takes to the hill next. Stephen Moore brings his modified car to the class on Sunday so that should change things around then. Saturday will be interesting too. That gorgeous Aston Martin of Tim Painter and Andy Frasers will have to work for their championship points and the event win.

There is a huge entry in the Gates of Brokenhurst supported Modified Specialist Production Class. Simon Marsh, Tony Marsh’s son bring a Caterham R300 to the hill for the first time. He will be sharing that with Edward Marsh. Which generation will be fastest? This class is so competitive! It’ll be interesting to see whether Martin Watson can hold off the rest of the class this weekend.

There’s another great entry in the Historically Interesting Class, supported by Kelvin Jouhar. There are so many great cars and drivers in this class, you should take some time and take a look at them. Geoff Hunt’s Lotus 22, the Chevron B19 of Amanda and Richard George, Chris Sutton’s Alvis and Fryth Crosse’s Dempster Ensign LNF3. Who will take the class? Who knows?

Mark Mortimer in his Mallock17b has the Hill Climb Super Sports Class to himself. Mark will be chasing personal bests and class record too!

The Sports Libre up to 14000cc Class has just three cars entered, both days. Tim Pitfield, Gurston Down Drivers School principal in his DJ Firecat is probably favourite. Richard Wood in the Yamaha Mini is handling better now so he will be chasing Tim along with Peter Steel in his Mallock.

The Lewis Property Services supported Sports Libre 1400cc to 2000cc Class.. The Saturday entry sees five entrants and three on Sunday. The WEV HCS-BDG of Keith Diggle starts favourite both days but he will have the Radical of Clive Wooster and Stewart Lillington. The supercharged BMW powered Citroen 2CV of Alex de Vires runs both days and the Lancia Stratos of Malcolm Cole.

The Sports Libre over 2000cc Class has two entries both days. Chris Cannell with the Force SR8 and Geoff Twemlow’s Saker GT. Chris should take this class and will be looking to improve his standings in the Cavendish Ship Stores Top Ten Challenge.

The 601cc to 1100cc Racing Car Class, supported by Drynham Project Management Limited has another great entry. James Moore and his Empire Evo 2 should take the win on past performance but Tony Levitt is sharing his Evo with Pete Hammock, who is waiting for his new Empire Wraith.

The NTM Training supported Formula Ford class has just one entry on Saturday. Carole Nicholls in her Nike Mk4. She has a shared car as competition on Sunday, Richard and Georgia Yeomans bring their Crossle 25F.

The 1101cc to 1600cc Racing Car Class, supported by SM AeRoTechniques come to the startline next. There is a relatively small entry both days. The shared Force PT will be the one to watch here. Peter D Smith and Richard Gayland will be looking for Top Ten Championship Points and perhaps even fastest time of the day.

The 1601cc to 2000cc Racing Car – Normally Aspirated Class has two entries, both days. Dave Lord and the Quest SF86 and Roger Cook with the Pilbeam MQP54. Dave Lord will be looking for championship points but he’ll have to avoid the little off he had last time out.

Paul Crute runs his Jaguar power OMS 28 in the Over 2000cc Racing Car Class, both days. Another contender for Fastest Time of the Day perhaps?

With a weekend packed with great cars and great motorsport – Why not join us?

 

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 June 16th and Sunday June 17th
Times: Competition runs from approx. 1300, practice runs from 0830 both days.
Admission: Only £10 for adults each day, accompanied under 14s free, free paddock entry, free parking.

 

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

 

 

 

June Motorbike Meetings Preview

Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th June sees the seasons second and final two days of competition for the Autocycle Union’s (ACU) National Hill Climb Championship at Gurston Down. The current hill record for a Solo Motorbike is 31.85s held by Ben Watkins.

The riders and their machines always produce a fabulous display of skill and spectacular racing. The bikes usually run at the end of the meeting but this weekend they will be one of the first batches to the hill. If you are planning to come and watch, they will start practice around 08:45 and have their first timed run at 13:00 each day.

If you would like to see what it is really like on a solo motorbike or on a motorbike and side-car combination check the videos posted on our Facebook page!

The Solo Motorbikes run first and are separated in to classes based on engine cubic capacity, just like the cars are.

Solo Motor Cycles 100cc to 250cc Class

Saturday has just two entries. John Bottomley on his Ducati and Allan Harvey on his Huish Yamaha YZ. Alan Harvey has Gurston form and won the class in April this year so he starts favourite. On Sunday, Allan has the class to himself.

Solo Motor Cycles 251cc to 350cc Class

Simon Wilson and his Yamaha, has the class to himself on Saturday. But he has competition on Sunday. Steve Atkins and his Greeves. Simon Wilson won the class at the April meeting so he will be competing against the clock on Saturday and Steve on Sunday.

Solo Motor Cycles 351cc to 500cc Class

There is a huge entry both days in this class. There’s a whole bunch of very quick and talented riders. Chris Keates on his Honda CRF has stiff competition from Mike Tilley (Honda CR), George Hodges (Team GV Honda CRF) and Callum Short (KTM), just to name a few of the riders. Sunday sees April’s winner Dan Hurley back on his Honda CR. This will be a class settled by hundredths of a second as it was in April.

Solo Motor Cycles 501cc to 750cc Class

This class brings nine riders to the hill on Saturday and six riders on Sunday. Many of the riders, switching between classes during the weekend. As ever the riders are super competitive. With riders of this calibre it was going to be close. Tommy Hodges on his KTM SMR won in April with Guy Ursell on his KTM, third. Look out for the Tom Short too. Peter Short and Stu Mills will ride on Saturday so it will be a very interesting class both days.

Solo Motor Cycles 751cc to 1300cc Class

Saturday’s class has just three entries. Allan Jolly (Aprilia TZV) looks a likely winner. But the class changes on Sunday. Sunday sees some of the riders from the up to 750cc class bring their faster and more powerful bikes. April Fastest Time of the Day rider, Stu Mills on his Aprilia Tuono V4 will be looking to repeat his class win and FTD. But he will have a tough job. Allan Jolly and his KTM is always quick. Any of these riders could take this class and they will all be looking for the Fastest Time of the Day and the Top Ten Run-Off places!

Sidecar Class

Then it’s the turn of the motorbike and side car combinations! The side cars are a proper spectacle! The pillion (passenger) only stays on by holding on buy their feet and hands, no seat belts or harnesses. The pillion hanging on or sometimes out of the combination!

There are a couple of great videos of the current hill record holders on our Facebook page. However, they aren’t entered for the June meeting. The previous record holders, Patrick and Paul Keates must start favourite but it’s a very competitive class. Will they take back the class record?

Then at the end of the meeting, if time allows, there bikes will have a Top Ten Run-off. The Ten fastest motorbikes and combinations will compete again to score additional points.

Why not come and join us?

With this variety of motorbikes (and cars) Sunday 22nd will be an action packed day 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 16th and Sunday 17th June
Times: Competition from approx. 1300, practice from 0830 both days.
Admission: Only £10 for adults each day, accompanied under 14s free, free paddock entry, free parking.

 

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