Saturday 15th and Sunday 16th June sees the seasons second and third visits of theAutocycle Union’s (ACU) National Hill Climb Championship. So you know just how quick the motorbikes are at Gurston Down, the current hill record for a Solo Motorbike is 31.85s and is held by Ben Watkins.

The riders and their machines always produce a fabulous display of skill and spectacular racing. The motorbikes are expected to start practice around 08:45 and have their first timed run at 13:00 each day. And look out for the Top Ten Run-off at the end of the 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. You’ll see by the entry that riders tend to bring different bikes to compete on different days.

Solo Motor Cycles 100cc to 250cc class

Saturday has just two entries, Pauline Ford on a Honda and Steven Garlinge on another Honda. It’ll probably be Steven’s class. There aren’t any entrants on Sunday.

Solo Motor Cycles 251cc to 350cc class

Saturday sees four bikes in the entry. Simon Wilson and his Yamaha was the 2018 winner so we should expect him to be there or there about both days. But he will be looking over his shoulder all weekend.

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), Simon Hockling (Husqvama), Glyn Poole (Honda) and Callum Short (KTM), just to name a few of the riders.

Solo Motor Cycles 501cc to 750cc class

This class brings some seriously quick bikes and talented riders to the hill. There are so many winners of fastest time of the day in this class, there’s no way you could call who will be in the top five, let alone the top three. Look out for Tommy Hodges on his KTM, Peter Short and Tom Short on their respective KTMs, Guy Ursell and none of the other riders can be ruled out!

Solo Motor Cycles 751cc to 1300cc class

Both days have a great entries. Allan Jolly (KTM) looks a likely winner here but he will need to beat some riders and bikes that will fight him for the win through out the meeting. Look out for Stu Mills on his Aprilia Tuono V4. Fastest Bike of the Day will probably come from this class, but who will it be.

All the riders will be looking for a Top Ten Run-off places

Trike Class

There’s just one entry in the class. Jon and Isaac Warren ride the Suzuki trike.

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. The previous record holders, Patrick and Paul Keates return and must start favourite but it’s a very competitive class. Who will take the win and can the Keates 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 15th and Sunday 16th April
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