The weekend of Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th May bring the British Hill Climb Championship presented by NOVA Motorsport and the BHC Cup presented by BMTR to Gurston Down Speed Hill Climb.
With 120 cars and drivers competing at the twisty course at Wiltshire’s famous Speed Hill Climb Venue, it will be a spectacular weekend. There will be a huge variety of cars, everything from standard road cars, specially prepared hill climb cars and spectacularly fast sport and single seat racing cars.
Spectators have fabulous unrivaled access to the hill, views of the course, paddock and facilities. We have excellent catering and refreshments on site too.
You really can’t get closer to the action!
Saturday and Sunday are separate events with two rounds of the British Hill Climb Championship every day. We start around 08:30 with two practice runs before lunch. Then a restart around 13:00 for two timed runs each run followed by a Top Twelve Run-Off.
The Top Twelve Run-Off of the British Hill Climb Championship presented by NOVA Motorsport give championship drivers registered another run on the hill. This time the fastest ten, score points for the British Championship. Ten points for a win, down to one for tenth. These run-offs ultimately determine who becomes the British Champion! An extra point is awarded to any competitor who beats the current hill record, held by Alex Summers in the DJ Firestorm at 25.00s.
The BHC Cup presented by BMTR is slightly different and doesn’t have a run-off. Each timed run is treated as a separate event, so competitors will score in two rounds on both Saturday and Sunday.
As ever there will be a Fastest Time of Day! Who will it be?
Class Preview:
The Road Cars – Series Production Car Class up to 2000cc – A(i)
The class has a huge entry both days. The current class record holder, Jonathan Langmead in his Lotus Elise is the favourite for the win. There are a number of new drivers in very similar cars so he might have his work cut out.
The Over 2000cc Road Cars – Series Production Car Class – A(ii)
There is a good entry this class. The class record holder, Rodney Eyles in his lovely Alfa Romeo 4c must be favorite for this class. His Gurston experience is likely to pay dividends although you’ll need to look out for Tony Adams in his Lotus Elise.
The Road Cars Specialist Production Car Class – B
Adrian Lewis brings the super fast Westfield Superbusa to the hill. There are a numbers of other Caterhams in the class which well give Adrian a hard time.
The up to 1400cc Modified Series Production Car Class – C(i)
This class might hold a few surprises. James White’s super fast Mini, will probably have to work to beat the other two competitors Andrew Russell in his Ginetta G15 and Eric Morrey in his Hillman Imp. Winner?
The 1401cc to 2000cc Modified Series Production Car Class – C(ii)
Just one entrant in this class, Gurston regular Steve Jackman.
The Over 2000cc Modified Series Production Car Class – C(iii)
This will be a tough class, not only does it have a big entry but it has some quick and beautifully presented cars. Stephen Moore in his Mitsubishi Evo, Jim Herbert in his Mitsubishi Evo and Damian Bradley in the Subaru Legacy are likely to be the top three in this class. But which one will take the win?
The Modified Specialist Production Cars Class – D
Steve Holland in his Caterham Hayabusa is alone in this class.
The up to 2000cc Sports Libre Car Class – F
There’s another big entry in this class. You will need to look out for Mike Lee in the Force LM and Allan McDonald in the Force SR4 are the likely winners in this class. There are some very fast cars in this class so there might be a surprise here.
The Over 2000cc Sports Libre Car Class – G
This class will be quick. Nic Mann in the Manic-Beattie and Duncan Barnes in the Norma FC20 will probably be the top two. However the car and driver that has come the furthest of all our competitor, Wayne Penrose in the VW SuperBug will be competing and he’s come with his car and team from Austrailia.
The 601cc to 1100cc Racing Car Class – I
The ever popular 1100cc racing car class has another huge entry. This class has so many entrants who could take this class and most of them will be trying to qualify for the top twelve run-off. Winner? Tom Weaver perhaps as he is having such a great season.
Formula Ford Racing Cars up to 1600cc Class – J(i)
Another massive class. Gurtson’s Tim Pitfield competes in his Formula Ford for the first time, Becky Crocombe and Laurence Marks are all Gurston regulars that have the experience to win, but they have a really tough bunch of competitors to get past first. Sarah Bosworth in here Van Dieman is probably favorite.
The 1100cc to 1600cc Racing Car Class – J(ii)
This could be an interesting class, there are so many people who could take this win. But Allan Warburton in the Gould GR59 will probably take first place. You need to watch the Greenen brothers, Adam and Andy, they have a really quick car too. You could say that about all these competitors. They will all be looking for top twelve placings.
The 1601cc to 2000cc Racing Car Class – Normally Aspirated – K(i)
Johnathen Varley in his GWR Preditor starts a favorite here. Yet another tough class to predict!
The 1601cc to 2000cc Racing Car Class – Forced Induction – K(ii)
Paul Haines in the Gould GR59 has had some great times at Gurston earlier in the season qnd he will be looking for a top twelve place.
The Over 2000cc Racing Car Class – L
The class brings the fastest cars and drivers to the hill. With Gurston Down being a power hill, the fastest time of the day is likely to be a driver in this class. The British Championship Wallace Menzies in his Gould GR59M had a difficult weekend in Northern Ireland, damaging the car but should be at Gurston. The car is currently being prepared. There are so many potential class winner, Alex Summers, Will Hall, Sean Gould and the current leader Matthew Ryder. Nicola Menzies starts in another Gould, this time a GR55 so the ladies record might be under threat!
The Sports and Racing Car Built up to 1971 Class – M
This class has some beautiful classic racing and sports cars, the Chevron B19 of Amanda and Richard George and Mike Broome’s Alexis Mk17 F3. Both of which are very competitive. The likely winner, probably Mike Broome.
The Sports and Racing Car Built up to 1985 Class – N
Roger Dean in his Lola T142 has the shared Tiga SF83 of Joe Mackrill and Robin Johnson as his competition this weekend. The Lola will be tough to beat.
The BARC South West Members Class
This class has a huge variety of cars entered. Fastest two will be Gary Hull in the Jedi and Martin Watson in the Westfield. Gary’s recent form probably gives him the edge.
- We will also have two Top Twelve Run-offs these will at the end of each timed run.
Another exciting weekend of 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 25th and Sunday 26th August
Times: Practice from 0830 until 1230 approx. Timed run 1300 approx followed by the First Top Twelve Run-Off, then lunch and final timed runs again followed by the Second Top Twelve Run-Off.
Admission: £15 for adults, accompanied under 14s free, free paddock entry, free parking.
Anthony Record – Press Officer Gurston Down Speed Hill Climb – BARC SW