May 18, 2018
There have been changes to the documents issues earlier this week.
The revisions can be found on the Competitor Information Page (click here) in the Entry Lists & Final Instructions Section.
They can also be found here:
REVISED FINAL INSTRUCTIONS – MAY 2018
REVISED ENTRY LIST – MAY 2018
REVISED PADDOCK PLAN – MAY 2018
PROVISIONSAL RUNNING ORDER MAY 2018 – This is likely to change
CAMPING:
PLEASE DON’T ARRIVE BEFORE 12:30 ON FRIDAY as the paddock areas and the course will NOT have been finished being cleaned before that time – Thank you.
Here is the Camping Plan for the May Meeting.
Camping is £10 per weekend and must be paid at Sign-On. The camping money is given to the local village!
E&OE
May 11, 2018
The weekend of Saturday May 26th and Sunday May 27th is the first of the two visits by the Avon Tyres / Wynn Developments British Hill Climb Championship and the Avon Tyres / Wynn Developments Hill Climb Leaders Championship to Gurston Down Speed Hill Climb.
The Championship brings some of the fastest cars and drivers to the twisty course at Wiltshire’s famous Speed Hill Climb Venue. There will be over 140 cars and drivers competing in everything from standard road cars, specially prepared hill climb cars and spectacularly fast fast sport and single seat racing cars.
Spectators have fabulous unrivalled 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 is practice day. Each competitor gets the opportunity to take three practice runs, starting around 09:00. There are two runs in the morning and one after lunch. Practice usually finishing around 15:00.
Sunday is competition day, there will be an early morning practice, starting around 09:00 followed by one timed run before lunch and the first of two top twelve run-offs. Then after lunch the second timed runs are followed by the second top twelve run-off.
The Top Twelve Run-Off allows the fastest twelve, championship registered, competitors to take an additional run, after which 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!
Alongside the British Championship and Leaders Championships, the Lotus 7 Club and the Porsche Club have rounds of their championships and the BARC South West Members have their own class.
As ever there will be a Fastest Time of Day! Who will it be?
Class Preview in Detail:
The BARC South West B Licence Class will run first. The class has a variety of cars and drivers who hold MSA Speed B Licences. On current form it’ll be between Martin Watson and his Westfield, Sarah Fudge in the Lewis Dean Impreza and Dean Cubitt’s and his Mazda MX5. These three will probably be fighting for the top three places. There are a number of new car and driver combinations that might just mix this class up a bit.
The Porsche Club’s National Hill Climb Championship Class has an all 911 line-up. This championsip is another one of those that is so difficult to predict. On previous form, Phil Price and his 930RS, Bob Mortimer in his 911 and Peter Turnbull’s 911 are likely to be in the top three. But you can’t discount any of the other drivers!
The Road Going Series Production Car Class up to 2000cc rounds off batch two. It has just four cars entered. It looks like it will be a Renault Clio one, two. Richard Brant and his Clio 172 will probably squeeze Paul Hearne and his Clio 172 Cup out to second if previous form is anything to go by.
Batch three gets underway with the Over 2000cc Road Going Series Production Car Class has five cars entered. With Stephen Moore in his Mitsubishi Evo RS, Justin Andrews and Shaun Fudge in their respective Subaru Imprezas, it’s going to be close. Stephen will probably end up on top.
The Road Going Specialist Production Car Class has just two entries, Adrian Lewis and his Westfield Superbusa and John Davey in his TVR. Adrian should take this class.
The up to 1400cc Modified Series Production Car Class sees some lovely machines entered. Not only do we have the Gurston regulars, David Bean, James White and Neil Turner in their Minis but we have two Hillman Imp powered cars and a Peugeot 106 too. Andrew Russell’s delightful Ginetta is always competitive but the one, two will probably be Neil Turner and James White.
The Over 2000cc Modified Series Production Car Class has a great entry. Tim Painter and Andy Fraser bring their lovely Aston Martin. But it will be a tough class with the two Subaru Imprezas of Steven Darley and Jim Herbert to content with. Winner, we will have to wait and see.
The Modified Specialist Production Cars Class, goes next. On previous form, Simon Jenks and his Caterham Supersports starts favourite but Andrew Griffiths, Richie Gatt and Steve Holland will not make it easy. In a class with these cars and drivers it could be anyones.
Next to come to the line will be the beautiful cars entered in the Historically Interesting Class. Look out for the Lola T142 of Roger Deans and the Chevron B19 shared by Richard and Amanda George. However, Mike Broome in the Alexis Mk17 F3 starts favourite. All of the drivers are very capable of taking the class win.
The up to 2000cc Sports Libre Car Class starts batch four. Duncan Barnes brings his Norma M20FC to the hill for it’s first outing and the first outing of a Norma in British Hill Climb. Those of you who know about or compete in European hill climbing will recognise the car as one of the most competitive cars on the European stage. The Norma is a big car and usually competes in the relatively wide and long courses in Europe. It’ll be interesting to see how the car copes with the narrow and short courses here in the UK. Chris Cannell should be back in the Empire Evo and will probably win this class.
The over 2000cc Sports Libre Car Class has a former Manx Grand Prix winner (on a bike, of course), Allan McDonald and his Mini Evo. You can see some of his in-car video on our Facebook page.
The up to 600cc Racing Car Class has just one entrant. David Cuff in his Jedi Mk4.
The ever popular 601cc to 1100cc Racing Car Class has a huge entry, over 20 cars! Simon Fidoe (Empire Wraith), Darren Gumbley (Force TA), Lindsay Summers and Debbie Dunbar (DJ Firehawk), Adam and Andy Greenen (Empire Evo) and Eynon Price (Force HC) to name just a few. Class winner? Could be any of the entrants and most will be looking to get a place in the Top Twelve Run-off.
The 1100cc to 1600cc Racing Car Class sees some new drivers car combinations that make this class even more difficult to predict than the up to 1100cc class. You’ll need to look out for the ex-Sean Gould, Gould GR59 driven by David and Allan Warburton, Oliver and Liam Cooper with the Force TA and Les Mutch in the GWR Raptor. They will be looking for great times in both timed runs to qualify for the Run-offs.
Batch five ends with some serious racing cars. The 1601cc to 2000cc Racing Car Class – Normally Aspirated – has another big entry. our cars and six drivers competing. Terry Davis’ OMS and Tim Elmer’s Dallara are both very capable of winning this class. But we have a new car from GWR, the Pedator driven by Johnathan Varley.
Batch six brings the even faster cars to the hill with the 1601cc to 2000cc Racing Car Class – Forced Induction – has four cars entered. Richard Spedding was third in the British Hill Climb Championship last year in this GWR Raptor so he’ll probably take the class and a place in the Top Twelve Run-off too.
The Over 2000cc Racing Car Class is the class that will probably bring the Fastest Time of the Day. With the British Championship in it’s early stages and being so close at the moment, this class could be very close. Wallace Menzies brings his Gould GR59b and Dave Uren and Nicola Menzies have the ex-Martin Groves GR55, Trevor Willis, the 2017 champion in his OMS will be one to watch. But you can’t really discount any of the driver / car combinations here. Will Hall and Jason Mourant will also be looking for run-off places.
Batch seven brings the Formula Ford Class. This sees the current class record holder Simon McBeath and three other drivers competing for the win. These car are so similar, the class will be close. The winner will be decided by hundredths as will all of the places!
Then it’s the turn of the Lotus 7 Club Championship runners. With the Lotus 7 Club Championship in it’s early stages, it will be tough to predict any of these classes. It will be down to performance on the day.
The Lotus 7 Club Championship Class 1 – Cars Up to 125 bhp – has three entries. Paul Boston has previous form at Gurston Down so he looks good for this class.
The Lotus 7 Club Championship Class 2 – Cars up to 150 bhp – List 1A Tyres – David Nelson starts favourite as he has won in previous seasons. But it is very early in the season.
The Lotus 7 Club Championship Class 3 – Cars up to 150 bhp – List 1B Tyres – has seven entrants. This class was decided by just a few hundredths of a second last year. Robert Jacobs the eventual winner. Based on his previous experience he should be in with a good chance of repeating his win.
The Lotus 7 Club Championship – Class 4 – Car up to 210 bhp – has just two entrants, Tom Price and Bruce Bosley.
The Lotus 7 Club Championship – Class 6/7 – sees seven cars and drivers entered. Simon Rogers won last year so he’’ probably be the man to beat.
Another exciting weekend of at Gurston Down Speed Hill Climb – Don’t Miss It!
Here’s the PROVISIONAL ENTRY LIST
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 May 26th and Sunday May 27th
Times: Saturday Practice from 0830 until 1500 approx. Sunday 0830 Final Practice then timed runs from approx 1030, then first timed runs followed by First Top Twelve Run-Off, then lunch and final timed runs from 13:00 Second Top Twelve Run-Off.
Admission: £10 for adults Sunday (£6 on Saturday), accompanied under 14s free, free paddock entry, free parking.
Anthony Record – Press Officer Gurston Down Speed Hill Climb – BARC SW
Apr 30, 2018
Here’s the original news post from April 3rd 2018.
NOTE: BARC South West members may attaend. This meeting is closed to non-members.
We are having our Annual General Meeting at 7:30pm in the restaurant at the hill. Here’s a summary of the agenda.
Agenda;
Apologies
Minutes of the last AGM
Matters Arising
Chairman’s Report followed by Hon Secretary and Hon Treasurer reports
Election of Officers and Committee
Under rule 12; Geoff Hunt, Tim Pitfield, Paul Webster, Sarah Howard and Linzi Alley retire from the Committee and being eligible offers themselves for re-election.
Election of Hon Secretary and Hon Treasurer.
Any Other Business
Close
There will be a short break for a chat before a formal committee meeting.
Apr 27, 2018
The over-night rain, thunder and lightening had cleared by early morning and the sun began to dry the course and spectator areas. The second event of the 2018 seaosn at Gurston Down Speed Hill Climb gpot underway with rounds three and four of the Meadens Skoda Championship and the second round of the Cavendish Ships Stores Top Ten Challenge.
With some 140 cars and 30 motorbikes entered, the place was humming with activity by 08:00. Saturday has been a good day for many of the drivers and cars. Sunday brought the ACU’s motorbikes and combinations which have been reported on separately.
Fastest Times of the Day went to Peter D Smith in the car he shares with Richard Gaylard who rounded off the weekend with second fastest time of the day. Peter’s time of 30.44s an improvement over Saturday was just over half a second quicker than Richard’s.
Full Details of the Class Results:
First to the line were the Triumph Register Car Class. There was a huge entry in a wide variety of Triumph cars. The TR8 V8 of Steve Small and Roderick Warner and the TR6 of Nick Smith, dominated the first three places. Steve producing the only sub 40 second run and stopped the clocks at 38.97s. Roderick couldn’t catch him and finished on 40.71s although Nick Smith was second after the first timed run but ended on 41.44s.
The Big Healey and Warwick Cars class went next. Roles were reversed over last year with Paul Baker taking the win on 39.19s Pat Cooper second on 39.52s and Richard Mason third with a 39.85s run.
Then came the Healey Sprite Class ventured up the hill. Robin Johnson with his Sprite overcame Stephen Casson in his Sebring and Colin Gale in his Sprite to take the win. Robin only managed one timed run and it was the only sub 40s run which gave him the class win. Stephen and Colin finished second and third on 40.17s and 40.25s respectively.
The Morgan Cars Class went next. The Roadster Lightweight of Paul Clarke put in a great time of 38.46s leaving everyone else in his wake. Patrick Hadley took second with a 40.10s second timed run.
For the second time this weekend we saw the lovely cars that form the ‘Classic Marques Speed Championship’ Class.. Gary Dawkins in his Lotus Exige won the class with a second timed run of 36.94s. The win looked like it wasn’t to be his after the first timed runs with thee drivers ahead of him. Stephen Hill in his Lotus 7 was second and Matthew Eady, Saturday’s winner taking third.
The regular Meaden Skoda Gurston Down Championship Classes were next.
Saturday’s Mazda MX5 Class, sponsored by The Window Doctor was a interesting affair with the reigning Meadens Skoda Gurston Down Champion, Mark Crookall and his RS being bumped into second. Sunday first timed runs looked like they might go the same way. Graham Hadley lead the first timed run by just 0.03s from Jason Richardson and 0.26s ahead of third place man, Mark Crookall. The second timed runs brought Graham Hadley within a tenth of Mark’s class record, he managed 40.65s. Jason’s big spin at Karousel, left Mark with a good chance to snatch third back but it wasn’t to be. Graham won the class with the 40.65s run with Jason and Mark, second and third with 40.68s and 40.91s respectively.
The Road Going Series Production up to 1400cc class saw John Davey, the MD of our Top Ten Challenge sponsor, in his quick MG Midget is running on his own. He was lloking to take the class record but didn’t quite make it, he finished on 41.35s.
The Road Going Series Production Class, 1401cc to 2000cc, sponsored by Record-Designs ran next. Paul Dickinson and his Honda S2000 repeated his Saturday performance. The first timed run pushed Tim Foster, last years class champion, and his lovely Lotus Elan back to third behind Dean Cubitt but a great second time run meant second was assured. Paul’s time of 38.06s was over a second clear of Tim who stopped the clocks on 39.23s.
The Over 2000cc Road Going Series Production Class, sponsored by Turbo Dynamics, saw Stephen Moore and his Mitsubishi Evo 6 RS back. Stephen, last years class champion, took control from the outset. Shaun Fudge was second, rounding off a great weekend for Shaun and championship points. He currently leads the class. Jon Maycock in the turbo Mazda MX5 kept the car on the track and finished third in both rounds and third overall.
The Road Going Specialist Production Class, sponsored by Fieldfare Trailers, came next. The result was almost identical to Saturday’s timed run. Clive Skipper in his 2.0 Caterham HPC overcame Adrian Lewis in his Westfield. Clive finished on 34.57s and Adrian 35.67s.
The Over 2000cc Modified Limited Production Marque Sports Car Class turned out to be an interesting class on Sunday. Mark Walker shared Simon Purcell’s Lotus for the day and Phil Price brought his Porsche 930RS were additions to the Saturday line-up. The first timed run went to Simon Purcell with Graham Beale and Phil Price second and third. The second timed runs saw Phil Price take the win with Simon second and Graham third. The overall win went to Simon Purcell with a 34.80s run with Phil Price just 0.04s behind in his Porsche 930RS.
Next up were the Minis in the Up to 1400cc Modified Series Production Class, sponsored by Cock and Sons (General Builders). James White took the win with a 37.23s second timed run and both of the rounds of the championship too.
The Over 2000cc Modified Series Production Class, sponsored by Meadens Skoda, was a repeat of the Saturday’s meeting as far as the first two places were concerned. Tim Painter won both rounds of the timed run and the class overall. His time was 37.23s.
The Gates of Brockenhurst sponsored Over 2000cc Modified Specialist Production Class three car line-up saw Martin Watson, Richie Gatt and Steve Holland go head to head. It was close, Martin won with a 32.78s run with Richie on 32.80s and Steve on 33.16s.
The Historically Interesting Class, sponsored by Kelvin Jouhar, cam next. Fyrth Crosse repeated his Satuday form taking both the rounds of the championship and the overall class win. His time being an improvement 34.47s.
Mark Mortimer in his Mallock17b stopped the clocks on 34.91s in the Hillclimb Super Sports Class.
The Sports Libre up to 1400cc Class’s second outing saw a similar result to the first. Gurston Down’s Driver School Principle, Tim Pitfeild took both rounds and the win overall. Tim’s time was 33.94s with Peter Steel in his Mallock second on 34.89s.
Sports Libre 1400cc to 2000cc Class had just one entry, Keith Diggle’s WEV HCS-BDG. Keith improved his Saturday time with a 32s dead first timed run.
The Sports Libre up to 2000cc Class saw the Chevrolet Camero Z28 of Jeffery Way up against the super fast Force SR8 of Chris Cannell. Chris took the win and third fastest time of the day with a 31.10s.
The 500 Owners Association Championship Cars Class, sponsored by Riley Cranes went next. The car shared by Max and John Finlay Mac Kintosh was the car to beat. John won the class and both timed runs. He managed a 41.90s with Max second on 43.59s.
The up to 600cc Racing Car Class saw David Cuff and his Mk4 Jedi. His time 37.85s.
The 601cc to 1100cc Racing Car Class, sponsored by Drynham Project Management, gave James Moore, the 2017 Cavendish Ships Stores Top Ten Challenge winner another victory. But his time of 32.40s only gave him seventh fastest of the day.
The 1101cc to 1600cc Racing Car Class, sponsored by SM AeRo Techniques, saw Peter D Smith repeat his Saturday win over Richard Gaylard in the Force PC they share. Peter’s time was a little better than Saturday’s stopping the clock on 30.44s. This also gave him Fastest Time of the Day.
The New Techniques sponsored 1601cc to 2000cc Racing Car (Normally Aspirated) Class was won by David Lord. Although Roger Cock took the second time run after David’s error at the bottom of Karousel. The overall victory went to David with his 33.28s first timed run.
Paul Crute and his OMS was the last car to run and he won the Gould Engineering sponsored Racing Cars Over 2000cc class.
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
Apr 27, 2018
The first of the three visits of the motorbikes and comminations from the Autocycle Union’s (ACU) National Hill Climb Championship took place on April 22nd.
The riders and their machines produced the some spectacular racing and Sunday did not disappoint. And we would like to thank them help after the meeting over-ran. Most riders only have one timed run after an incident at Karousel during the second times runs.
The fastest time of the day was Stuart Mills on his Aprilia Tuono V4 with a 33.76s run. His run was the twelfth fastest time of the day and that’s on just two wheels and sometimes just one! Have a look at his video that you can find on our Facebook page,
Here are the class details:
The Solo Motor Cycles 100cc to 250cc class, went first Allan Harvey on his Huish Yamaha YZ took the class win with a 40.68s run.
Next up were the Solo Motor Cycles 251cc to 350cc class, Simon Wilson on his Yamaha 350 won the class with a 41.37s timed run.
Then it came the turn over the Solo Motor Cycles 351cc to 500cc class. This class has a large entry with eight riders and bikes competing for the win. It’s so competitive, it could have been anyone’s. The winner was Dan Hurley on his Honda CR with a 35.99s run, followed by Les Wilson on his Suzuki RMZ, 36.16s, George Hodges on his Team GV Honda CRF, 36.36s and Chris Keates on his Honda CRF, 36.68s. It was a very close fought battle.
The Solo Motor Cycles 501cc to 750cc class also had a large entry. As ever the riders were super competitive and with riders of this calibre it was going to be close. Tommy Hodges on his KTM SMR won with a 34.02s, Peter Short on his KTM and Guy Ursell on his KTM were second and third respectively.
Then it was the turn of the fastest riders and bikes to come to the hill. sees another big class entry, the Solo Motor Cycles 751cc to 1300cc class. Stuart Mills on his Aprilla Tuono V4 won for the second year in sucession. You can see his run on our Facebook page. His time was the twelfth fastest time of the day.
Then came the motorbike and side car combinations! 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!
The hill record holding combination Ian Guy and Jed Pilmoor-Brady on their LCR Suzuki won the class with a 35.48s run with Kevin and Sara Dewell second on their Honda SKR.
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
Apr 27, 2018
The 2018 Gurston Down Speed Hill Climb season got underway on the Saturday 21st April with the first two rounds of the Meadens Skoda Championship and the first round of the Cavendish Ships Stores Top Ten Challenge.
The weekend’s weather proved to be great for cars, drivers and spectators.
The sun shone on the fast and twisty course at Wiltshire’s famous Speed Hill Climb Venue.
With a very full entry, the hill was busy from the outset. With the withdrawal of Wallace Menzies, fastest time of the day became much more open.
This was eventually won by Peter D Smith and the Force PT he shares with Richard Gaylard. Although the car didn’t manage a second timed run on Saturday. The first run time of 30.72s just held Chris Cannell and the SR8 off. Chris finished on 30.85s.
FULL CLASS RESULTS
Saturday’s meeting gets under way with the invited classes.
The first class to come to the line was the Pre-War Austin 7’s. The “Road” Class had six drivers and five cars entered. After the first timed run, Ian Bennett had established a good margin over the rest of the class, With the course improving, the times fell in the second timed run but no-one could over come Ian’s first timed run time. Then Ian went faster, stopping the clock at 48.28s. Zak Cobb and Bernard Cowley were second and third, finishing with 50.43s and 52.41s respectively.
The quicker “Track” division went next. Colin Danks won, his time of 43.68s left the others in his wake. Martin Whittaker too second with a 45.47s run with Paul Geering taking third with 46.16s on his second timed run.
The ACSMC Championship Class ran next. Mike Williams in the Westfield SeiW won the class with a 37.28s timed run.
The Porsche Club GB Speed Championship always brings some lovely cars and April’s event wasn’t an exception. The Tim Barber and David Hilton shared 996 911GT3RS was the car to beat. But it wasn’t to be. Tim and David finished two seconds ahead of the rest of the field. With less than half a second separating them, Tim took first with a 34.57s run and David second on 34.97s. Ian Wadsworth and his 911 finished third on 37.29s.
The TVR class run next. Mark Harris in the Cerbera took the win. There is a great video on our Facebook page showing Jes Firth having a great spin after the finish, take a look. Mark’s time was 38.27s with Alan Davies in the Griffith just 0.15s behind on 38.42s.
The huge entry in the very popular ‘Classic Marques Speed Championship’ Class went next. Matthew Eady and his lovely Ginetta G4 took the win on 37.15s but the top five were all within one second of the winner. Steven Lyle (Porsche Boxster), Steve Hill (Lotus 7), Nick Keyser (Scimitar SS1) and Roger Coate (Ginetta G4) were second to fifth respectively, a great performance all round.
Next came the Meadens Skoda Championship Classes. With every timed run counting towards points in the championship, every run counts.
The MX5 Class sponsored by The Window Doctor went next. Mark Crookall, the 2017 Overall Champion and Class Champion started this class as favorite. But there were a lot of unknown cars and driver combinations entered for the first time. Mark knew he would have to work really hard in the Mk2 RS. On top of that he was also sharing the car for the first time with Chris Burch. First timed run went to Mark Crookall won pipped Jason Richardson by just one hundred. Mark stop the clock on 40.77s. The second times run went the other way, Jason beat Mark’s first time with a 40.70s and Mark 40.97s. The event going to Jason.
The new Road Going Series Production up to 1400cc class came next. There were two entries and there was always going to be a class record sent. Barny Francis in the Mini he shares with Malcom took the win in both timed runs and the event overall, his best time setting the next class record at 41.28s.
The Road Going Series Production Class, 1401cc to 2000cc, sponsored by Record-Designs ran next. Paul Dickinson’s Honda S2000 pipped Tim Forster in his Lotus Elan. Paul took both rounds and the event stopping the clock on 38.22s and Tim on 38.40s.
The Over 2000cc Road Going Series Production Class, sponsored by Turbo Dynamics, rounded off the batch. The Subaru Impreza of Shaun and Sarah Fudge would have to perform well to withstand the onslaught of Jon Maycock’s lovely MX5. Jon had a spin in Karousel, which ruined his first timed run. Shaun and Sarah taking the one / two. Jon managed to keep on the black stuff in the second timed run and pipped Shaun by just 0.03s. The event overall was won by Shaun with first first timed run 36.79s giving Shaun the class championship lead after two events. More on that in a later report.
The next batch began with The Road Going Specialist Production Class, sponsored by Fieldfare Trailers. It was Clive Skipper in his 2.0 Caterham HPC day, taking both timed run and the overall event from Adrian Lewis. Tony Wiltshire’s latest car a Lotus Elise went well. If he’s entered in the May event, he’ll be in the Road Going Series Production Class and his time would have given him the win there at 37.95s.
The Over 2000cc Modified Limited Production Marque Sports Car Class saw four driver / car combinations entered. It was an interesting day, Graham Beale in the Ginetta G33 took the first timed run and Simon Purcell and his Lotus Elise took the second. Simon’s time was the day’s best, so he took the event overall. His best time was 34.78s with Graham’s being a little adrift on 35.10s. This is another class championship that looks like it’s going to be competitive throughout the season.
Neil Turner and his Mini laid his claim to the class championship with an impressive Saturday in the up to 1400cc Modified Series Production Class, sponsored by Cock and Sons (General Builders). He wasn’t taking any prisoners and finished on 35.45s, a time just shy of his class record.
The Over 2000cc Modified Series Production Class, sponsored by Meadens Skoda, saw the lovely Aston Martin Vantage of Tim Painter and Andrew Fraser. Tim took the win in both rounds and overall. He finished on 35.54s with Andrew on 36.21s.
Next up was the Over 2000cc Modified Specialist Production Class, sponsored by Gates of Brockenhurst. Martin Watson and his Westfield took the win in both rounds with Richie Gatt in his Westfield second. Martin’s best time was 32.92s.
Kelvin Jouhar sponsors the Historically Interesting Class which ran next. This class had a big entry. Fyrth Crosse’s Dempster Ensign LNF3, took the first round and came second to James Tearle and his Ginetta G12 the second. The best time was Fyrth’s with a 35.31s.
The final batch of the day started with Mark Mortimer in his Mallock17b. He was the only entry in the Hillclimb Super Sports Class and stopped the clock on 35.27s.
Another new class to Gurston Down, the Sports Libre up to 1400cc Class went next. Gurston Down’s Driver School Principle, Tim Pitfeild and his DJ Firecat took the event and both timed runs. His best time being 34.37s.
Keith Diggle’s WEV HCS-BDG ended up being the only entry in the Sports Libre 1400cc to 2000cc Class. He ended the day on 32.27s. His second run being 32.38s.
Chris Cannell and his Force SR8 was the only runner in the Sports Libre Over 2000cc Class. Geoff Twemlow’s Subaru powered, Saker GT would behave so he withdraw from the meeting after practice. Chris’s best time was 30.85s. Giving him some great points in the Cavendish Ships Stores Top Ten Challenge and second fastest time of the day!
The 601cc to 1100cc Racing Car Class, sponsored by Drynham Project Management, came next. James Moore and his Evo, last year’s Top Ten Challenge winner was favourite and ended the day with two round wins and the overall. Although it looked like Tony Levitt in another Empire Evo might have got the second round. James’ time was 32.06s.
The 1101cc to 1600cc Racing Car Class, sponsored by SM AeRo Techniques was Peter D Smith’s from round one. The car he shares with Richard Gaylard was a none starter after some issues in round two. Peter’s time of 30.72s gave him fastest time of the day too.
The New Techniques sponsored 1601cc to 2000cc Racing Car (Normally Aspirated) Class had two entrants. David Lord and his Quest took the honours in round one after Roger Cock’s Pilbeam stopped on the him. But round two was different. David took the win but by just 0.01s. David’s first timed run gave him the overall event win with a 34.07s run.
The final class and car on the hill was the Gould Engineering sponsored Racing Cars Over 2000cc class. Paul Crute with the OMS 28 finished on 32.36.
Sunday April 22nd Car and Motorbike Reports to follow.
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
