Results Easter Weekend – 16th and 17th April 2022

Easter weekend brought some beautiful weather, lots of spectators and great competition to Gurston Down Speed Hill Climb.

The 2022 Turbo Dynamics Championship had four more rounds and the Cavendish Ships Stores Top Challenge had two more rounds during the Easter weekend. There were a variety of cars entered with a large number of invited clubs and championships.

You will be pleased to know our two Charity Easter Egg Raffles raised over £800! Thank you to all those who bought tickets and to Liz for her efforts.

SATURDAY 16th APRIL – INVITED CLASSES

Pre-War Austin 7’s of the Bert Hadley Memorial Championship

There were eight cars entered with Gurston Down experience really paying off. The class win went to the Austin Seven Ulster driven by Colin Danks with Paul Geering in his Pigsty Special second. Both of them have a significant margin over the other car and driver combinations. Colin’s first timed run of 44.71s took the win and Paul’s second timed run of 45.74s was a great improvement over his first. Douglas Alderson was third on 56.89s.

The Revington TR Triumph Register Sprint and Hill Climb Championship

There was another massive entry in this class. The TR8 and TR7 V8s took five of the top six places in this class but they were all beaten by Len Olds in his lovely TR4. Great results as the top three cars were just 0.33s apart. The V8s were next, Rod Warner was second with Jim Giddings third. Rod finished on 39.83s and Jim on 39.99s. The class’s results are very interesting, with many positions changing between the first and second runs.

The Welsh Sprint and Hill Climb Championship

This class competed both days. The first three swapped places between Saturday and Sunday with all of them improving their times.

Saturday saw William Hunt in the Ford Sierra take the win from Alison Lock, in her Mitsubishi Evo and, John Morgan in the Ford Anglia. William’s time was 37.88s, Alison finished on 38.06s and John on 38.31s.

On Sunday things changed. Alison took first, with John second and William third. Their respective times were 36.85s, 37.12s and 37.38s. A great competitive class.

The Healeysport Speed Championship

PICTURE No54

Stephen Casson in his Sebring won this class, with Peter Walton and Paul Baker second and third respectively. Less than 1 second covering the first three, it could have gone anyone’s way.

The Historic Rally Car Club Championship

Saturday’s class win went to David Wheeler in his Renault 8 Gordini with the Mini of Stuart Ballinger second. David’s time was 43.59s and Stuart’s 45.14s.

Sunday’s class win went to Stuart Ballinger in his Austin Mini. He had a great improvement over the weekend and stopped the clocks on 43.96s, pushing the Lancia Fulvia of Jago Keen into second place with a 45.79s.

The BARC Connaught Speed Championship

The Caterhams of Nigel Holt, Anthony Shearman and Roger Legg were the top three on Saturday. Nigel’s Gurston experience probably helped him to a 38.27s, first timed run. Anthony’s first timed run was good enough for a second (39.33s) although it looked like Roger might just have pipped him on the second timed run. Roger finished on 39.39s just 0.06s behind Anthony.

Nigel’s mishap on the first timed run, left the door open for Anthony and Roger in their Caterhams to fight for the win. Anthony won with an improved time, compared with Saturday and stopped the clocks on 38.77s with Roger coming in at 39.50s. Jonnie Toon in the Peugeot 106 swapped places with Robert Pallett in the Ginetta G20.

The 500 Owners Association Championship

Mark Riley in his Cooper Mk9 was pushed hard by Finlay Macintosh and Alistair Dent in the 500 Owners Association rules class. Mark finished with 41.92s, Finlay a 41.96s and Alistair with 42.53s.

The 500 Owners Association Speed Championship and Walley Cuff Trophy

Russel Haynes turned a second-place around to win this class in the Elva 200 he was sharing with Mark. Mark was quickest by just 0.12s after the first timed run. But Russell went almost 2 seconds quicker to finish on 39.81s with Mark stopping the clock on 40.15s.

The ‘Classic Marques Speed Championship’ Class.

This class ran both days with a massive entry of a huge variety of different cars.

Robbie Birrell, in the Lotus Exige and Steven Lyle, in the Porsche Boxster, were separated by just one-hundredth of a second after the first timed runs, Steven 36.41s and, Robbie 36.42s. But Robbie managed to go a little faster in the second timed run, dropping into the 35s and finishing on 35.79s. It was great to see such a huge variety of cars in this class.

Sunday saw Robbie push even harder, winning the class with an improved time, over Saturday, finishing on 34.74s. Mark Everett in his TVR Griffith was second on 37.17s with Matthew Eady in the Ginetta G4, third on 37.77s.

The Morgan Sports Car Club Techniques Speed Championship

Some lovely cars competing on Sunday in this class. Simon Baines was dominant in the class. His times ended up being 37.81s about 1.5s ahead of the second-place man Clive Hall who finished on 39.35s.

REGULAR CLASSES

Road Cars Mazda MX5 Class, sponsored by The Window Doctor

The MK2 RS shared by Richard Morton and Chris Burch was dominant over the Easter weekend. With Richard beating Chris on Saturday with a great second timed run which was an improvement of over a second. Richard finished on 40.03s with Chris on 40.25s. But both of them have to be looking over their shoulders, Jon Hammock in another RS finished on 40.95s but had to withdraw after mechanical issues forced him and Pete Hammock out.

On Sunday, Richard had a small off at Karousel that caused minor damage to the car and it was ready for Chris’s run a little later. Chris finished the second time run with a 39.68s with Richard, on 40.14s.

Road Cars Series Production up to 1400cc, sponsored by Cavendish Ships Stores

With Stephen Wareham absent and after practice, there were three car and driver combinations looking likely to win this class. The best performance was David Nutland in his Mini who managed a 40.28s first timed run, followed by John Davey, in his Midget on 40.85s and Piers Thynne, in his Mini on 41.06s. Piers’ time improved by over 2 seconds between the first and second runs.

On Sunday it was all change. Piers took the win with a 40.80s first timed run with David Nutland second just 0.05s behind and John Davey third on 41.00. The rest of the season in this class is looking interesting.

Road Cars Series Production Class 1401cc to 2000cc

Martin Ellis in the Ford Escort Mk2 was pushed very hard all weekend by Russell Davies in the Honda Civic Type R. Martin managed to stay ahead and win the class by just 0.10s on Saturday and 0.13s on Sunday. Nigel Trundle in the Abarth 500 finishing third.

Over 2000cc Road Cars Series Production Class, sponsored by Turbo Dynamics

Clive and Jennie Stangle in their Mitsubishi Evo finished first and second both days pushing Steve Cox in the Golf R into third. Clive finished on 33.55s and 33.35s respectively with Jennie on 35.11s and 35.47s.

Road Cars Specialist Production Class, any capacity

The top two in this class were Clive Skipper and Chris Burridge both in Caterhams. Clive finished with a 34.33s run on Saturday and 34.00s on Sunday with Chris’s bests being 34.86s and 34.36s respectively.

Modified Limited Production Marque Sports Car Class up to 2000cc

Tony Record, Gurston Down’s Press Officer, in his Mazda MX5 had a very consistent day on Saturday finishing in the 41s all day, taking the win with a 41.59s second timed run. Pete Ramsden in the MR2 stopped the clocks on 42.97s. On Sunday, Tony’s practice runs were a little slower but in the second timed run he managed 40.77s, a personal best.

Over 2000cc Modified Limited Production Marque Sports Car Class

Phil Price’s Porsche 930 RS had issues all weekend with its exhaust giving Graham Beale in the Ginetta G33 a little bit of a breather but he still needed to push hard to make sure the E Type of Paul Slade didn’y catch him. Graham finished on 34.41s and 34.18s respectively.

Up To 1400cc Modified Cars Series Production Class, sponsored by Cock and Sons (Builders)

The class record holder and last year’s class champion, Neil Turner dominated this class both days. His Mini takes him to the top of the hill in 34.41s and 35.50s. David Bean was second and was pushed very hard by Mike Edwards on Sunday managing a consistent 41.83s on Saturday and 41.73s on Sunday.

1400cc to 2000cc Modified Cars Series Production Car Class

Paul Meadows in his Renault Clio 182 had a quiet Saturday, being on his own in the class but still managed a 41.13s. Sunday on the other hand meant Paul had competition with the Opel Corsa of Kevin Plummer. Kevin must have inspired Paul. Paul’s time on Sunday was much faster, he finished on 38.29s and won the class.

Over 2000cc Modified Series Production Class

This class was a great one to watch. It was a win both days for Mitsubishi Evos. Saturday was Stephen Moore’s day and Sunday went to Jim Herbert. Saturday was very close, Stephen did a 33.06s first timed run with Jim finishing on 33.31s.

But Sunday was all change. Jim pulled out some great driving. Pushing both of his timed runs below 33s. His best time was 32.69s whilst Stephen managed 33.45s. Great driving by both drivers.

Modified Specialist Production Class

This class had just one entrant, Martin Watson in his Westfield. Martin managed a better time on Sunday, pushing the car to 33.17s.

The Kelvin Jouhar sponsored Historically Interesting Class

Saturday’s class was Fyrth Crosse’s in the Dempster Ensign LNF3. He finished just under a second quicker than Mike Broome. Fyrth’s time was 35.91s.

On Sunday, everything changed. Sue Hayes in the WDF3 Palliser turned in a great performance, pushing Fyrth into second place. Sue’s time was 36.59s with Fyrth finishing on 36.87s.

Sports Libre up to 1400cc Class

Tim Pitfield, the reigning Gurston Down Champion, and his DJ Firecat competed on his own on Saturday but were forced to withdraw on Sunday due to technical issues with his engine.

Sports Libre 1400cc to 2000cc Class

Mike Lee in his Force LM, had a great day on Saturday, beating Clive Wooster in the Radical and qualified for the Cavendish Ships Stores Top Ten Challenge Runoff.

On Sunday, Mike had a little off, damaging the car and forcing him out of the event. Leaving Clive Wooster in his Radical to run alone in the class. Clive did improve his time and finished on 33.18s.

The 601cc to 1100cc Racing Car Class

Saturday saw James Moore in the Empire take the win with his first timed run. Unfortunately, the second wasn’t as expected and he had to withdraw from the rest of the weekend. James’ time was 30.80s. Ben Bonfield in the shared Jedi Mk4, had a great weekend, finishing second in front of Murry Wakeham in the OMS. Their times were 31.18s and 31.93s respectively.

On Sunday Ben had another great day. This time first in class, again followed closely by Murry Wakeham. Ben also went quicker too, finishing on 30.81s.

The 1101cc to 1600cc Racing Car Class sponsored by Rhianco Ltd

Robert Crapper brought his Empire Wraith but competed alone in this class on Saturday.

The Formula Ford pre-1994 – Kent Crossflow Engines

Laurence Marks was the only entrant in this class on Saturday. He managed a 39.93s.

Racing Cars built up to 1985

Sunday, Joe Mackrell and Robin Johnson shared the SF83, Joe took the win with 36.82s just 0.27s ahead of Robin.

The New Techniques sponsored 1601cc to 2000cc Racing Car (Normally Aspirated) Class

This class had just two entrants, Roger Cock in the Pilbeam MP54 and Tony Wiltshire in the Ralt. Tony came out on top both days, not quite managing a 29s second run on Saturday, finishing with a 30.01s. On Sunday, Tony pulled out the stops and finished on 29.66s, giving him Fastest Time of the Day on both days.

Tony also took ten points from each of the Cavendish Ships Stores Top Ten Challenge.

Racing Cars Over 2000cc class

Paul Crute in the Jaguar powered OMS28 had a great weekend, making it to both Top Ten Challenge Run-Offs.

Thank you to everyone involved in making the weekend happen. There are so many people who work tirelessly behind the scenes before, during and after the meeting.

Lookout in May the British Hill Climb Championship and BHC Cup come to the hill. Look out for more on that soon.

 

 

 

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

JOHN HAYWARD 1936-2022

JOHN HAYWARD 1936-2022

John had for over 30 years been a familiar figure behind his camera at Gurston Down until comparatively recently when increasingly failing health had called a halt to his visits to the hill.

Living in the Bournemouth area, John had spent his working life in the motor trade, as a local garage manager and later as sales manager at F English’s Ford dealership in Poole. Even after his official retirement, he was well known among car dealers in the south of England as he continued to carry out regular stock audits in the area.

A lifelong car enthusiast, particularly for vintage and classic cars, he owned several himself and his Fiat Balilla, in particular, had led him, many years ago, to act in his spare time as the vintage and veteran spares manager for classic Fiats, which involved the odd trip to Italy. As a motorsport enthusiast, he also took part in trials events, but with such activities hampered to a certain extent by diabetes, discovered when he took his National Service medical, he decided to direct his motorsporting interests towards photography. He became extremely proficient at this and long before the advent of digital cameras, which of course he later embraced with enthusiasm, John processed his own work in his home darkroom, producing a copious supply of ‘wholeplate’ black and white images of both hillclimbing and rallying not only for Gurston but for various publications including the motoring weeklies and monthlies, and particularly for the HSA’s Speedscene magazine. The arrival of digital photography, of course, only served to increase his output!

As his ‘home’ hillclimb, Gurston Down was a favourite venue, but Wiscombe Park and Prescott were regularly on his itinerary, as was Shelsley Walsh, where John was a contributor to several of organiser MAC’s specialist publications.

Quiet and unassuming by nature, John was in every sense a real gentleman, in addition to being a superb photographer. He will be greatly missed.

Jerry Sturman

John took many pictures at Gurston Down, here are just a few:

 

 

 

 

Events Preview Easter Weekend – 16th and 17th April

Easter weekend brings two days of competition to Gurston Down Speed Hill Climb.

The 2022 Turbo Dynamics Championship has four more rounds and the Cavendish Ships Stores Top Challenge has two more rounds as well as a great variety of cars entered with a large number of invited clubs and championships.

The weekend sees the Austin Sevens of the Bert Hadley Memorial Championship (Saturday), the Revington TR Triumph Register Sprint and Hill Climb Championship (Saturday), the Welsh Sprint and Hill Climb Championship (both days), the Healeysport Speed Championship (Saturday), the Historic Rally Car Club Championship (both days), the Connaught Speed Championship (both days), the Morgan Sports Car Club Techniques Speed Championship (Sunday), The 500 Owners Club Championship (Sunday) and, last but certainly not least, the Classic Marques Speed Challenge (both days).

Look out for our Charity Easter Egg Raffles on both days

The weekend’s events will get underway around 08:30 each day and will provide a glorious show of sound, smell, speed and skill. Entry is around 140 cars and drivers, on Saturday and 120 cars and drivers on Sunday, in everything from your average standard road car, classic and modern sports and saloon cars and purpose-built, fast sport and single-seat racing cars. All of them will pit their wits against the fast and twisty course at Wiltshire’s famous Speed Hill Climb Venue. They will also be competing against each other and themselves too!

You really can’t get closer to the action!

The Fastest Time of the Day is the ultimate goal for competitors. This could very much depend on the combinations and how some new car/driver combinations perform. It could be one of many drivers.

INVITED CLASSES

Saturday’s meeting gets underway with the invited classes. First, up should be the Pre-War Austin 7’s of the Bert Hadley Memorial Championship. This has eight cars entered. Gurston Down experience will probably be key in this class so Colin Danks and Paul Geering probably start favourites but there are some newcomers, so that might all be turned upside down.

The Revington TR Triumph Register Sprint and Hill Climb Championship goes next. The TR8 and TR7 V8s usually dominate this class with the TR4s and TR6s usually making the V8s work hard for their wins. Rod Warner, Lawrence Jeram-Croft, Jum Giddings in the V8s and Len Olds in his TR4 and Nick Smith in the TR6 will all be fighting for the win and places. There are some lovely cars in this class.

The Welsh Sprint and Hill Climb Championship have a great range of cars entered, everything from a Fiat Punto to a Ford Sierra. William Hunt in the Sierra has form but there is a Westfield entered, with John Morgan at the wheel. They compete both days so who will take the win and can they repeat it on Sunday?

The Healeysport Speed Championship runs next. There are ten cars entered. Stephen Casson in his Sebring and Paul Baker in his Roadster. This is another class of beautifully presented cars, always worth taking the time to look at.

The Historic Rally Car Club Championship has just three cars entered but it’ll be very competitive. David Wheeler in his Renault 8 Gordini will have his work cut out to stay at the front. Again, will there be a different winner on Sunday?

The BARC Connaught Speed Championship has a good entry, again with a great variety of cars, everything from Caterhams to Ford Fiestas. Looking at previous experience, the two Caterhams of Nigel Holt, Roger Legg and the Ginetta of Robert Pallett will all be looking for the victory.

The 500 Owners Club Championship has a good entry. John Dent in his Cooper has form so will probably be in the top three. But who else will join him?

The ‘Classic Marques Speed Championship’ Class. This class has entries from all over the country and in an interesting variety of great cars. Everything from a modern Porsche Boxster with Steven Lyle at the wheel to, Brain Marshall in the Marcos Mantula. They will all be beautifully presented and are always worth checking out in the paddock and watching run the hill. The class winner? Far to difficult to predict!

REGULAR CLASSES

The Mazda MX5 Road Car Class, sponsored by The Window Doctor. March’s meetings showed that this class may well be far more competitive than it may have looked based on the original entry. The record-holding RS, Chris Burch used to share with Mark Crookall now has a new shared driver, Richard Morton. Richard made sure Chris worked for his class wins as did Jon Hammock in his RS. Pete Hammock, who usually competes in an Empire, is sharing that car with his son Jon. You shouldn’t discount any of the drivers in this class.

The Road Cars Series Production up to 1400cc was an interesting class in March. Stephen Wareham scored maximum points and leads the overall championship as well as the class. Can this form continue, or will someone else in the class of eight cars, squeeze the former champion out of his lead.

The Road Cars Series Production Class 1401cc to 2000cc runs next. Daniel Friel and Russell Davies in their respective Honda Civic Type Rs have the form to take this class. There are some newcomers who might well separate these two or push them down the order. There might be some surprises.

The over 2000cc Road Cars Series Production Class, sponsored by Turbo Dynamics. Clive and Jennie Stangle in their Mitsubishi Evo return. Steve Cox in his Golf R will be pushing them for the win and championship points. It’ll be interesting to see how the Porsche 996 of Nigel Watkins does against those three.

The Road Cars Specialist Production Class runs next. There are four entries in this class and five on Sunday, with the TVR of Stephen Thomas. The two favourites have to be Chris Burridge and Clive Skipper both have very similar personal bests so it will be interesting who finishes where each day.

Copyright: John Hayward

The Modified Limited Production Marque Sports Car Class up to 2000cc sees just two cars entered in this class. Peter Ramsden in his Toyota MR2 and Tony Record, Gurston’s Press Officer, in his Mazda MX5. The winner of this class will be down to who performs best on the day.

The Over 2000cc Modified Limited Production Marque Sports Car Class goes next. Phil Price in his Porsche 930 RS has to start favourite in this class although Graham Beale in the Ginetta G33 will push him all the way to the line. A tiny error, like a missed gear, will change the result in this class.

The Up To 1400cc Modified Series Production Class, sponsored by Cock and Sons (General Builders), has a small entry of just two cars. But the class record holder and last year’s class champion, Neil Turner is likely to take the wins!

The 1400cc to 2000cc Modified Series Production Car Class has one entry on Sunday, Paul Meadows in his Renault Clio 182.

The Over 2000cc Modified Series Production Class are next up. Stephen Moore brings his seriously fast modified production Mitsubishi Evo both days and has that beautiful Aston Martin Vantage of Tim Painter and Andrew Fraser or the Audi R8 V10, depending on whether the Aston is ready to have Jim Herbert’s Mitsubishi to contend with. On Sunday James Herbert Winner, probably Stephen.

The Modified Specialist Production Class, has just one entrant, Martin Watson in his Westfield. Personal bests will be his target.

The Kelvin Jouhar sponsored Historically Interesting Class, runs next and, has just two entrants on Saturday and three on Sunday. Fyrth Crosse’s Dempster Ensign LNF3 starts favourite based on personal bests but with Sue Hayes and Mike Broome the other two competitors, it could be anyone’s day.

The Sports Libre up to 1400cc Class sees last year’s championship Tim Pitfield competing on his own. Tim and, his DJ Firecat will be looking for personal bests.

Sports Libre 1400cc to 2000cc Class has two entries, Clive Wooster in his Radical and Mike Lee in his Force LM. Mike will probably end up at the front of this class.

The 601cc to 1100cc Racing Car Class, sponsored by Rhianco Ltd, has a good entry on both days. It is an open class but the form book would suggest that Murry Wakeham in his OMS and Ben Bonfield in his Jedi are likely to be in the top two. But with a newcomer to the class and, former multiple Gurston Champion, Mark Crookall and Adrian Lewis in his Empire may well be there to upset the form book.

Formula Ford up to 1600cc built up to 1985 Class. Two cars entered here, Robin Johnson and Joe Mackrell. They share the car so it’ll be interesting who takes each day.

The New Techniques sponsored 1601cc to 2000cc Racing Car (Normally Aspirated) Class has two entrants, Roger Cock in the Pilbeam MP54 and Tony Wiltshire in the Ralt. The winner will probably be Tony.

The Gould Engineering sponsored Racing Cars Over 2000cc class. Paul Crute in the Jaguar powered OMS28 will be searching for a Fastest Time of the Day and a Top Ten Challenge Run-Off place. He will definitely have his work cut out!

Why not come and join us?

With this variety of cars, Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th will both be action-packed days 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.
Dates: Saturday 16st and Sunday 17nd April
Times: Competition from approx. 1300, practice from 0830 both days.
Admission: Only £15 for adults each day, at the gate (£12.50 in advance) accompanied under 14s free, free paddock entry, free parking.

E&OE

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

COMPETITOR INFORMATION – WEEKEND 16th and 17th APRIL 2022

It looks like we’ll have a really Easter Weekend. There are around 140 cars competing on Saturday and 120 on Sunday.

The full entry lists are available here and in the Competitor Information area.

ENTRY LIST 16TH APRIL 2022

ENTRY LIST 17TH APRIL 2022

Don’t forget if you would like to be included in the Turbo Dynamics Gurston Down Championship and / or the Cavendish Ships Stores Top Ten Challenge then you’ll need to join. You can do this by checking the Event dated 14th May 2022 in our online entry system.

There will be an Easter Egg Raffle each day too!

COMPETITORS – You’ll find the Paddock Space Allocation, Competition Number and Batch in the entry list.

SPECTATORS – Don’t forget you can get your discounted tickets NOW at Gurston Advanced Ticket Sales

E&OE

 

 

 

COMPETITOR INFORMATION – APRIL MEETINGS

The online signing on and scrutineering emails have been sent out for both Saturday and Sunday. If you are entered both days, please make sure you have completed both days signing on forms. Please make sure you add your two helper or assistants as these can not be changed once you have submitted the signing on form.

The email includes details of entries, batches, competitor numbers and, paddock spaces. Please make sure you have checked these details.

There will be further announcements later this week with your first Competitor Bulletin (aka Final Instructions) and any other announcements as required. These will be made available on the Event Dashboards for each day.

Saturday 16th April – Entries, Numbers and Paddock Spaces

Sunday 17th April – Entries, Numbers and Paddock Spaces

EVENT DASHBOARDS

Saturday 16th April – Event Dashboard

Sunday 17th April – Event Dashboard

If you, as a Competitor, have any queries or questions about the April meetings, please contact our Competition Secretary, Nick Revels.

E&OE