The Origins: Inspiration and Construction
Who and Why: The project was driven by the BARC South Western Centre committee. The primary inspiration was the need for a premier hillclimb venue in the south of England to rival established tracks like Shelsley Walsh and Prescott. The site was found on the land of Sir Henry and Lady Tichborne, who provided the chalk-downland valley that gives the course its unique “down-and-up” profile.
Construction (1966–1967): Unlike many hillclimbs that use existing estate roads, Gurston Down was purpose-built for motorsport.
Start of Construction: Late 1966.
Completion: June 1967.
The Build: The track was carved into the side of the valley, featuring the famous “Hollow” (the dip after the start) and the sharp “Karousel” turn.
The Grand Opening
The First Car Up the Hill: On Sunday, June 25, 1967, the track was officially opened. The ceremonial first car to drive the course was a 1901 Sunbeam, driven by Lord Montagu of Beaulieu. This ceremonial run linked the dawn of motoring history with the newest venue in the UK at the time.
The First Event: The inaugural competitive meeting was a Closed-to-Club event held on the same day as the opening, June 25, 1967. It was designed to test the facilities before hosting national championships.
First Event Results (June 25, 1967)
The entry list for the first event comprised roughly 70 drivers. The track was shorter then, as the finish line was originally located lower down the hill than it is today.
Key Results and Classes:
- Fastest Time of the Day (FTD): The honor of the first-ever FTD went to Marsh Logan driving a Cooper-Climax, with a time of 33.91 seconds.
- Classes: The competition was divided into standard BARC categories:
- Saloon Cars: Won by J. Buncombe (Morris Mini Cooper S) – 38.64s.
- GT Cars: Won by J. Corfield (TVR Grantura) – 37.96s.
- Sports Racing Cars: Won by A. Moore (Chevron B4) – 35.10s.
- Racing Cars: The premier class where Marsh Logan set the record.
The First Season (1967)
Following the June test, the club held its first National Open Meeting on September 24, 1967. This event saw the competition level rise significantly as drivers from across the country traveled to sample the new “Downland” challenge.
FTD of the first National Meeting: Peter Blankstone, driving a Marsh-Oldsmobile, set a blistering new record of 30.93 seconds.
Season Outcome: The 1967 season was considered a massive success, proving that the unique “downhill-to-uphill” layout was a hit with drivers. By the end of the year, Gurston Down had already established itself as a “driver’s track,” characterized by high speeds through the Hollow and technical precision at the finish.
What’s changed since?
While the thrill hasn’t changed since ’67, the track certainly has!
The Evolution of the Hill: 1967 to Today
Gurston Down isn’t just a “one-and-done” build; it has been constantly refined to keep it one of the most challenging and high-speed venues in the UK.
1. The Track Extension
The Original Short Course: When Lord Montagu took that first Sunbeam up the hill in 1967, the course was significantly shorter than it is today.
Growing the Challenge: Over the years, the finish line was moved further up the hill to its current location. Today, the course measures 1,058 yards (967 metres). That extra distance added more technicality and speed, pushing the “under a minute” goal to the absolute limit.
2. Mastering the Karousel
Resurfacing for Speed: The most critical technical section—the Karousel—has seen multiple upgrades. In the 2016 season, for example, the Karousel was completely resurfaced. This made the track smoother but also presented a new challenge for drivers (I heard the “new” surface was famously “green” and slippery for the first few test runs!).
The 180-Degree Challenge: The Karousel remains a 180-degree complex with a brutal 135-degree tightening turn that completes the climb. It’s the spot where you either make your time or lose it.
3. Modern Tech & Safety
The Timing Revolution: We’ve gone from manual stopwatches to a state-of-the-art TSL Timing system with 9 separate timing beams. This gives you split times for every sector—perfect for those of us obsessed with finding that extra tenth of a second in “The Hollow.”
Paddock & Spectator Perks: The site has evolved from a simple farm track into a “multi-award winning venue.” We now have a permanent café (essential for that pre-race bacon roll!), a tarmac paddock, and electronic scoreboards that give you your time the second you cross the line.
4. The Speed Barrier
The modifications haven’t just been about safety; they’ve facilitated mind-bending speeds. The current outright hill record stands at a flat 25.00 seconds (set by Alex Summers in 2022). To put that in perspective, the fastest cars now hit over 130 mph through the speed trap at the bottom of the hill before they even start the climb!