July Events Report – Cars

The Saturday and Sunday July meetings would probably be described by most as the meeting of the year! The events were part of the Meadens Skoda Gurston Down Championship and of the Cavendish Ships Stores Top Ten Challenge.

The four rounds of the Championship and two rounds of the Challenge pretty much decided championship positions. More on that in a later report.

We had just over 100 cars and drivers, competing on both days. The weather was superb and very conducive to class records and personal bests, particularly on Saturday when the air temperature was a little lower.

SATURDAY’S CLASSES:

The Sevenoaks and District Motor Club Class

Robert Wood in his Lotus Cortina and Dave Rayner in his Caterham 7 were the only two entrants in the class. With the lighter and more powerful Caterham won the class and a new class record, finishing on 38.75s.

The DEWS Motor Club Class

Then it was the turn of eclectic cars of the DEWS Motor Club Class. This class again went to form, Derek Kessell in the gorgeous and fast Maguire Mini took the win finishing on 36.62s. Second was Marc Morris in his Renault Clio on 39.97s and third Lee Kessell on 41.27s.

Then came the regular Gurston Down Regular Classes:

The Gurston Down Mazda MX5 Class, supported by The Window Doctor:

This class seems to have a surprising knack of pulling some very competitive racing and unsurprising Saturday wasn’t any different. Jason Richardson and Mark Crookall have been swapping places for most of the season. Jason took the lead in the first timed run which he kept in the second. His times were just 0.02s different between his runs and he finished on 40.46s.

The Road Going Series Production Class up to 1400cc Class

David Nutland and his Mini and John Davey, the managing director of Cavendish Ships Stores, our Top Ten Challenge sponsor, in his MG Midget were the two runners in this class. John was having issues with the car all weekend and could repeat his June wins. David putting in two very consistent runs of 41.73s and 41.79s.

The Road Going Series Production Class 1401cc to 2000cc Class, supported by Record-Designs

There was a big entry in this class. Paul Dickinson in his Honda S2000 was already in a strong position in both the overall championship and class championship but more on that later. However, Tim Foster didn’t let Paul have it all his own way. Tim and his Lotus Elan put a very quick second timed run and finished the day on 37.75s with Paul’s 37.89s first timed run giving him second and Dean Cubitt and his Mazda MX5 third on 38.29s.

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

Simon Neve in his Mitsubishi Evo pretty much took charge of this class from the outset. The first timed run produced some interesting results. Sarah Fudge in the Subaru Impreza she shares with her husband Shaun put in a great time pipping Shaun for the first time by 0.08s! Jon Maycock in his Mazda MX5 was second after a great 36.43s run. Shaun was third with a 37.25s second timed run.

Road Going Specialist Production Class supported by Fieldfare Trailer Centre

Adrian Lewis and his Westfield Superbusa was pushed very hard by both Clive Skipper in his Caterham and Anthony Orchard who was sharing Adrian’s car. It looked like it could be anyone’s class with them separated by just 0.43s after the first timed run. But Anthony was the only one to improve his time in the second timed run but it wasn’t enough to take second from Clive. Adrian finished on 34.41s, Clive on 34.59s and Anthony on 24.78s.

The Over 2000cc Modified Limited Production Marque Sports Car Class

The lovely Porsche 911RS with Phil Price at the helm put in a great performance but Graham Beale and his Ginetta pushed him every step of the way. They were sepataed by just three quarters of a second after the first timed run. Graham improved his time but it wasn’t enough to overcome Phil’s first timed run and Phil went faster too. Phil finished on 33.99s and Graham on 34.57s

The up to 1400cc Modified Series Production Class

Neil Turner, the class record holder and class championship leader was on good form, breaking the class record which now stands at 35.14s and taking the class win. However a second timed run wasn’t to be after an engine that decided to let go.

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

This class is becoming one of those classes that is increasing competitive this season. Stephen Moore in his Mitsubishi Evo RS fought hard to take the win from Tim Painter and the Aston Martin Vantage he shares with Andrew Fraser. Stephen took the win on 34.74s, Tim second on 35.03s and Andrew third on 36.03s.

The Modified Specialist Production Class, supported by Gates of Brokenhurst

This was another very close class, Martin Watson in his Westfield took the class win with a 32.31s run but it was close. Second, Steve Holland in his Caterham and, third, Richie Gatt in his Westfield just 0.18s and 0.25s adrift respectively.

The Historically Interesting Class, supported by Kelvin Jouhar

Fryth Crosse and the Dempster Ensign LNF3 took the class with a 33.81s from Sue Hayes and her Palliser WDF3.

The Sports Libre up to 1400cc Class

Peter Steel in his Mallock took the class win here and a new class record with a 33.89s second timed run. Needless to say Pete was very pleased with the result!

The Sports Libre over 2000cc Class

Chris Cannell with the Force SR8 was they only entry in this class but he is looking for Cavendish Ships Stores Top Ten Challenge points, rather than championship points.

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

James Moore and his Empire Evo 2 took the win in this class. The class was very close with the first five separated by 1.5s. James’ time 31.34s followed by Tony Levitt in the Empire Evo on 32.08s.

The NTM Training supported Formula Ford Class

Saturday’s was the first of the two day Gurston Down Formula Ford Festival. The win was taken by Shaun Macklin in his Swift SC92 with a class record breaking time of 36.22s. The former record holder, Simon McBeath in another Swift was second on 36.70s.

The 1101cc to 1600cc Racing Car Class, supported by SM AeRoTechniques

Peter D Smith took this class and Fastest Time of the Day. He also took the lead in the Cavendish Ships Stores Top Ten Challenge. It was also the first time Peter had done a sub-30 second run. He finished on 29.68s.

The 1601cc to 2000cc Racing Car – Normally Aspirated Class and the Over 2000cc Racing Car Classes were amalgamated

Paul Crute in the Jaguar power OMS 28 took the class win with a 29.76s run with Tim Elmer in his Dallara F399 secomd on 30.83s.

SUNDAY’S CLASSES:

The Sevenoaks and District Motor Club Class

There was an additional entrant, Toby Galbraith with his Subaru Impreza and he pushed Saturday’s winner Dave Rayner in his Caterham 7 very hard. Dave didn’t hold back and not only did he win the class but he set a new class record again, this time 38.47s.

The DEWS Motor Club Class

Derek Kessell in the Maguire Mini repeated his Saturday win with a 37.20s and Marc Morris in his Renault Clio was second matching his previous days time of 39.97s. Third was Paul Denning in a Morgan 4/4 on 40.49 with Lee Kessell fourth on 40.69s.

The Gurston Down Mazda MX5 Class, supported by The Window Doctor:

This class had been a class to watch all weekend. Sunday produced some stunning performances. The current record holder and class champion, Mark Crookall reset the record by a significant margin. The record now stands at 39.88s. Unsurprisingly, he took the class win. Jason Richardson just couldn’t match Mark’s pace today. Jason finished with a first timed run of 40.77s.

The Road Going Series Production Class up to 1400cc Class

David Nutland and his Mini completed the double over John Davey, the managing director of Cavendish Ships Stores, our Top Ten Challenge sponsor, in his MG Midget. David time was 41.84s.

The Road Going Series Production Class 1401cc to 2000cc Class, supported by Record-Designs

This was Tim Foster and his Lotus Elan’s class again today. This time by the closest of margins, 0.01s over Paul Dickinson in his S2000. Tim’s time was 37.87s and Paul’s 37.88s. It wasn’t just the first two places that were close, Dean Cubitt and his Mazda MX5 was just 0.06s behind Paul. That probably equates to less than 30cm over a 967m run!

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

Simon Neve in his Mitsubishi Evo put his stanp on the Sunday event too. He finished on 34.54s with Jon Maycock in the Mazda MX5 second on 36.35s (a personal best) and Andrew Thorp in his Porsche Cayman S third on 37.28s.

Road Going Specialist Production Class supported by Fieldfare Trailer Centre

Anthony Orchard and Clive Skipper really pushed Adrian Lewis and his Westfield Superbusa hard to a 33.76s second timed run. The first three were again just separated by just 0.5s, although this time Anthony was second, 34.20s and Clive third on 34.25s.

The up to 2000cc Modified Limited Production Marque Sports Car Class

Andrew Hurle in his Sylva Phoenix ran alone in this class and put in a 39.15s run.

The Over 2000cc Modified Limited Production Marque Sports Car Class

The sunday timed runs were almost a repeat of the Saturday timed runs. Phil Price in his Porsche 911RS put in another great performance. Graham Beale and his Ginetta pushed him very hard improving his time from the previous day. Phil’s second timed run was 34.01s and Graham on 34.34s.

The up to 1400cc Modified Series Production Class.

Derek Mullis in his Mini took the win with a 38.87s beating David Bean’s Rover Mini.

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

Stephen Moore in his Mitsubishi Evo RS was in sparkling form today. His second timed run of 32.95s took a class win by a great margin. A great performance leaving Tim Painter and the Aston Martin Vantage he shares with Andrew Fraser trailing in his wake!

The Modified Specialist Production Class, supported by Gates of Brokenhurst

This was another very close class, Martin Watson in his Westfield had taken the class win on Saturday but with a class as competative as this, it would be a tough call to do it twice in a weekend. Steve Holland in his Caterham took the win with a 32.07s with Martin just 0.09s behind on 32.16s. Richie Gatt in his Westfield was third after a bit of an issue on the second timed run.

The Historically Interesting Class, supported by Kelvin Jouhar

Fryth Crosse and the Dempster Ensign LNF3 repeated his Saturday win with a 33.12s first timed run beating Sue Hayes and her Palliser WDF3.

The Sports Libre up to 1400cc Class

Peter Steel in his Mallock had a great weekend. Not only did he take the class again but he reset the class record too! His time was 33.73s!

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

James Moore and his Empire Evo 2 took the win in this class with a 31.48s first timed run. He fended off Murry Wakeham in the OMS who finished on 32.62s.

The NTM Training supported Formula Ford Class

Sunday was the second of the two day Gurston Down Formula Ford Festival. Not only did Shaun Macklin in his Swift SC92 take the class win for the second day and he set another new class record, at 35.81s. Simon McBeath in another Swift was second on 36.50s.

The 1101cc to 1600cc Racing Car Class, supported by SM AeRoTechniques

Peter D Smith had another great weekend. Not only did he take the class win both days but he also took Fastest Time of the Day both days too and another sub-30 second run. He finished on 29.57s

The 1601cc to 2000cc Racing Car – Normally Aspirated Class and the Over 2000cc Racing Car Classes were amalgamated

Paul Crute in the Jaguar power OMS 28 took the class win with a 30.19s run with Tim Elmer in his Dallara F399 secomd on 30.63s.

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

Motorbikes Meeting Report – July 2018

WOW what a wonderful weekend! We really couldn’t have asked for better weather over the weekend for the two days of action from the Autocycle Union’s (ACU) Motorbikes and Combinations. We also had two two twelve run-offs too!

Saturday and Sunday saw the riders and their machines produce a fabulous display of skill and spectacular racing. There were many changes and additions to the original entry too!

SATURDAY’S CLASSES:

Solo Motor Cycles 100cc to 250cc class

Paul Winch on his BSA had the class to himself and finished on 46.78s.

Solo Motor Cycles 251cc to 350cc class

Mike Tilley on his Honda CR went head to head with Isaac Warren on his KTM. Mark made his Gurston experience and previous form pay, he took the class with a 35.99s run.

Solo Motor Cycles 351cc to 500cc class

What a great class this was! The top three all had extensive Gurston experience. It was Chris Keates on his Honda CRF day., he took the win with a 35.34 with Richard Bowker on his Honda CFR second on 36.40s and Simon Hocking on the KTM, third on 38.80s.

Solo Motor Cycles 501cc to 750cc class

Guy Ursell on his KTM took command of this class from the outset. 33.63s run was not only a great time but Fastest Bike Time of the Day! Great riding!

Solo Motor Cycles 751cc to 1300cc class

Allan Jolly and the Aprilia TZV took the class win on 33.78s. Second in class was Simon Gates on his Kawasaki ZR10R, a first time rider at Gurston and on a hill climb too. He finished on 35.75s and said after his first day “most fun I’ve had in leathers for a long time”. Simon wasn’t entered for Sunday but was back in the morning for another go!

Trike Class

It’s a while since we have had a trike at Gurston Down. We have just one entry, Jon and Isaac Warren go on their Suzuki 1000cc trike, they finished with a 36.83s.

Sidecar Class

This was such a great class to watch on Saturday. The lead swapped between the timed runs. Patrick and Paul Keates, on the Baker F1 were just 0.05s ahead after the first timed run. But Simon and Jayne Foster on their Honda F2 pulled it back in the second, going half a second quicker. Despite an improvement by the Keates, it was the Foster’s day. They finished on 36.05s and the Keates on 36.51s

Then came the Top Ten Run-Off. The Ten fastest motorbikes and combinations will competed again.

Guy Ursell had been in top form all day and the Run-Off was no exception. His time was just a whisker slower than his class time, finishing on 33.68s, Alan Jolly second on 34.07s, Chris Keates third 35.25s and Simon Gates fourth 35.29.

SUNDAY’S CLASSES:

Solo Motor Cycles 100cc to 250cc class

Tristan Anderson with his KTM had the class to himself and finished on 37.82s.

Solo Motor Cycles 251cc to 350cc class

Mike Tilley on his Honda CR had another great class win, improving on Saturday’s time stopping the clocks at 35.60s.

Solo Motor Cycles 351cc to 500cc class

Glyn Poole on his Honda put together a fabulously quick first timed run which left the rest of the class in his wake. His time 33.77s was enough to take the win from Saturday’s winner Chris Keates on his Honda CRF who managed at 34.82s. His time was significant improvement on the previous day as was Richard Bowker on his Honda CFR, taking third on 35.51s and Simon Hocking on the KTM, fourth on 35.55s. (Glyn – We’ll find a picture soon!)

Solo Motor Cycles 501cc to 750cc class

Guy Ursell on his KTM took command of this class on Sunday too. He had an improvement over his Saturday time finishing on 33.51s.

Solo Motor Cycles 751cc to 1300cc class

Allan Jolly and the Aprilia TZV and Simon Gates on his Kawasaki ZR10R, had equal times of 34.32s, but Allan’s other timed run was faster so he took the class win.

Trike Class

Jon and Isaac Warren took to the hill again on their Suzuki 1000cc trike. Their Sunday time was an improvement over Saturday’s, they finished with a 36.65s.

Sidecar Class

Simon and Jayne Foster on their Honda F2 were in charge from the outset on Sunday. They ended the day on 36.49s ahead of the Patrick and Paul Keates on 37.35s.

Then came the Top Ten Run-Off. The Ten fastest motorbikes and combinations will competed again.

This time it was Glyn Poole on his Honda who took the win and Fastest Time of the Day for bikes at 33.49s. Guy Ursell on his KTM second, Alan Jolly on his KTM third and Simon Gates on his Kawasaki fourth. They finished on 33.70s, 34.17s and 34.36s respectively. Simon Gates went through Hollow at 108.0 mph and over the finish at 103.7 mph!

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

 

Motorbikes Meeting Preview – July 2018

Saturday 21st and Sunday 22nd July sees an additional two days of action from the Autocycle Union’s (ACU) Motorbikes and Combinations. This time there are some of the regulars but some new comers too!

The riders and their machines always produce a fabulous display of skill and spectacular racing. They will be running in the second batch again so if you are planning to come and watch, they will start practice around 08:45 and have their first timed run at 13:30 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 tone entry, Paul Winch on his BSA and Sunday sees Tristan Anderson on his KTM.

Solo Motor Cycles 251cc to 350cc class

Mike Tilley on his Honda CR will go head to head with Isaac Warren on his KTM. On the basis of previous experience it’ll probably be Mike Tilley who’ll grab the win.

Solo Motor Cycles 351cc to 500cc class

There is a good entry both days in this class. Not only will there be some of the regulars but there are a number of new riders. On Gurston experience, it will probably between Chris Keates on his Honda CRF, Simon Hocking on the KTM and Rochard Bowker on his Honda CFR. But there are new riders here too, that’ll make the competition especially stiff!

Solo Motor Cycles 501cc to 750cc class

This class brings three riders to the hill on both days. Looking at Gurston form and experience, the man to beat will be Guy Ursell on his KTM.

Solo Motor Cycles 751cc to 1300cc class

Saturday’s class has five entries and Sunday five. Allan Jolly (Aprilia TZV) looks a likely winner both days. Not only does Allan have form and he is always quite. Allan could well be produce the Fastest Time of the Day.

Trike Class

It’s a while since we have had a trike at Gurston Down. We have just one entry, Jon and Isaac Warren go on their Suzuki 1000cc trike. They are expected to run in batch which is a little later than the rest of the bikes.

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!

It will probably between Patrick and Paul Keates, on the baker F1 and Simon and Jayne Foster on their Honda F2. These four were separated by a few hundreths at the last meeting in July.

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?

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: Cars Saturday 21st and Motorbikes and Cars Sunday 22nd July
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

The Cavendish Ships Stores BARC SW Top Ten Challenge after Round Four

The first four rounds of the Cavendish Ships Stores BARC SW Top Ten Challenge have taken place and the challenge standings are as follows:

Overall Results After Round Four

After Round Four

Points

Peter D Smith

40

Chris Cannell

33

Richard Gayland

33

Paul Crute

27

James Moore

22

Keith Diggle

20

Martin Watson

13

Murray Wakeham

12

Ritchie Gatt

6

Steve Holland

4

Roger Cock

2

We would like to thank all of our sponsor, Cavendish Ships Stores for their continued support in 2018!

E&OE

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