The Meadens Skoda Championship Standings after Round Eight

Jul 11, 2018

The first eight rounds of the Meadens Skoda Gurston Down Hill Climb Championship have taken place and the Championship standings are as follows:

Overall Results After Round Eight

Class Results After Round Eight

The Mazda MX5 Class, supported by DoctorMX5

Road Going Series Production Class up to 1400cc, supported by Record-Designs

Road Going Series Production Class 1401cc to 2000cc, supported by Record-Designs

Over 2000cc Road Going Series Production Class, supported by Turbo Dynamics

Road Going Specialist Production Class, supported by Fieldfare Trailer Centre

Over 2000cc Modified Limited Production Marque Sports Car Class

Up to 1400cc Modified Series Production Class

Over 2000cc Modified Series Production Class, supported by Meadens Skoda

Over 2000cc Modified Specialist Production Class, supported Gates of Brockenhurst

Historically Interesting Class, supported by Kalvin Jouhar

Sports Libre up to 1400cc

Sports Libre 1401cc to 2000cc, supported by Class Lewis Property Services

Sports Libre over 2000cc Class, supported by Berazzi Wheels

Racing Car up to 600cc Class

601cc to 1100cc Racing Car Class, supported by Drynham Project Management Limited

1101cc to 1600cc Racing Car Class, supported by SM AeRoTechniques with Brian and Adrian Moody

1601cc to 2000cc Racing Car – Normally Aspirated Class

1601cc to 2000cc Racing Car – Forced Induction Class

We would like to thank all of our sponsors for their support in 2018!

E&OE

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

MEETING PREVIEW JULY 21st and 22nd – CARS

Jul 9, 2018

The two July meetings now form part of the Meadens Skoda Gurston Down Championship and of the Cavendish Ships Stores Top Ten Challenge.

There are four rounds of the Championship, two each day and two rounds of the Challenger, one each day.

The Meadens Skoda Championship is close after the first eight rounds. The performances at the July meetings might well determine the overall championship but as ever that will depend on the performances during every timed run.

The Challenge doesn’t seem to be quite as open. There’s more on that in the reports on the website. Needless to say, this weekend will probably decide this too.

We also have over 30 motorbikes abd side-cars running both days. There is more on that in the Motrorbike Preview that will be available after the entries have closed.

We have around 130 cars and drivers competing on both days with a separate event on Saturday and Sunday.

All will face the challenge of the legendary 12 feet wide, fast and twisty course at Wiltshire’s famous, award winning Speed Hill Climb Venue, Gurston Down.

With unrivalled access to the hill, paddock, cars, drivers and facilities available to our spectators, the weekend promises to be a veritable sceptical of sound, smell, skill and speed. We have excellent catering and refreshments on site too!

You really can’t get closer to the action!

In addition to the regular Meadens Skoda Gurston Down Championship classes, there are a number of invited clubs on both days.

Invited Classes:

The double drives in batch three head to hill first in their own very small batch then the Auto Cycle Union’s motorbikes and sidecars run in batch two.

Batch three begins with the Sevenoaks and District Motor Club Class. There are just two entries, Robert Wood in his Lotus Cortina and Dave Rayner in his Caterham 7. This one should be won by Dave in the Caterham but Robert Wood’s Lotus will make him work hard for the win. But can he take the win both days?

Next to the line will be the DEWS Motor Club Class. On Saturday, this class hosts a very wide range of cars ranging from Derek Kessell’s lovely Maguire Mini, a host of Mini Coopers and Marc Morris’ Renault Clio. Sunday, there are a few changes to the class, a couple of cars drop out and there is the addition of the Morgan 4/4 of Paul and John Denning. The form book would suggest Derek in the Maguire should take the win both days but second, that could be anyones.

Batch three concludes with the first of the regular Gurston Down Regular Classes:

The Gurston Down Mazda MX5 Class, supported by The Window Doctor runs next. All the competitors, except Chris Burch, run both days. The class championship leader, class record holder and the winner of the Tony Marsh Memorial Trophy at the June meeting, Mark Crookall needs wins both days to stop Jason Richardson taking his class title. Mark also needs great points to maintain his challenge in the overall Championship. It will be important to everyone to score points in each timed run.

Finishing batch three is the Road Going Series Production Class up to 1400cc Class. David Nutland runs his Mini and John Davey, the managing director of Cavendish Ships Stores, our Top Ten Challenge sponsor, in his MG Midget. John won in June. Can he repeat that and get the class record somewhere near his personal best.

Batch four brings the Road Going Series Production Class 1401cc to 2000cc Class, supported by Record-Designs to the line. There’s a big entry in this class. Paul Dickinson in his Honda S2000, the joint current overall championship and class leader will want to secure this position and take the win. But he will have the newly refreshed Mazda MX5 of Dean Cubitt and Tim Forster and his Lotus Elan to contend with. Let alone the Clios of Rob Brodie and Paul Hearne as well as the Honda Civic of Chris and Russell Davies who have been inform recently. There are three additional unknowns in the class, another Lotus Elan shared by Peter Lythell and Guy Brooker and the stunning Alpine A110 of Peter Ellens.

The Turbo Dynamics supported Over 2000cc Road Going Series Production Class goes next. Simon Neve in his Mitsubishi Evo came back in June and took the class win. Shaun Fudge, in the Subaru Impreza is the current class leader. Shaun will need to put in a solid performance to maintain his class championship challenge. Jon Maycock in the Mazda MX5 is currently second. Andrew James in the Nissan 350Z GTS is back and there’s an Audit S3 double driven by Daryl Newstead and Jonathan Sweet just to add to the mix.

Copyright: Akina Media

The Fieldfare Trailer Centre supported Road Going Specialist Production Class is the last to go in batch four. The class championship is very close this year. Clive Skipper in his Caterham currently leads and has had some great performances. However, you can’t discount the Adrian Lewis Westfield Superbusa which he is sharing with Anthony Orchard at these events. But with the experienced group this class is too difficult to predict.

Batch Five brings the Over 2000cc Modified Limited Production Marque Sports Car Class to the line next. Graham Beale and his Ginetta currently leads the class from Phil Price and his 911RS. It’s been close between these two all season and will be down to the best performance on the day.

Then there’s the all Mini line-up with David Bean, Derek Mullis and Neil Turner entered both days in the up to 1400cc Modified Series Production Class. The class record holder,, Neil Turner, on previous form, will probably take the win.

The Over 2000cc Modified Series Production Class, supported by Meadens Skoda takes to the hill next. Tim Painter and Andy Fraser in the gorgeous Aston Martin Vantage will have to work for their championship points with Stephen Moore and his Mitsubishi Evo entered.

There is small entry in the Gates of Brokenhurst supported Modified Specialist Production Class. Martin Watson is leading the class championship and has had some great performances over the past few events. He starts favourite but he has Richie Gatt and Steve Holland to contend with.

There are just two entries in the Historically Interesting Class, supported by Kelvin Jouhar. On previous form and current championship standings this class should go to Fryth Crosse and the Dempster Ensign LNF3.

The Sports Libre up to 1400cc Class has just three cars entered, both days. Peter Steel in his Mallock leads the class championship. He will need to maintain his current form to secure that position as Richard Wood in the Yamaha Mini is only trailing by a few points.

Copyright: John Hayward

The Lewis Property Services supported Sports Libre 1400cc to 2000cc Class has just one entrant, the WEV HCS-BDG of Keith Diggle.

The Sports Libre over 2000cc Class also has just one entry, Chris Cannell with the Force SR8. Chris will be looking to improve his standings in the Cavendish Ship Stores Top Ten Challenge in which he is currently second.

Batch five is rounded off by the 601cc to 1100cc Racing Car Class, supported by Drynham Project Management Limited has another good entry. James Moore, the current joint leder is the overall championship and his Empire Evo 2 should take the win on past performance but Tony Levitt is sharing his Evo with Pete Hammock, both of which could easily upset James’ position in class championship.

Batch six starts with the NTM Training supported Formula Ford Class has a massive entry. The Gurston Down Formula Ford Festival looks like it will be a highly competitive event, Simon McBeath, the current class record holder, will be looking to take the win. But with such a large entry, this is by no means certain. The positions in this class is usually decided by hundredths of a second and we will expect it to be the same this time.

The shared Force PT of Peter D Smith and Richard Gayland is the only entry in the 1101cc to 1600cc Racing Car Class, supported by SM AeRoTechniques. Peter will be chasing Top Ten Championship points and is a likely contender for fastest time of the day.

The 1601cc to 2000cc Racing Car – Normally Aspirated Class has three entries, both days. Dave Lord and the Quest SF86 and Roger Cook with the Pilbeam MQP54 will have their work cut out taking on Tim Elmer’s Dallara F399. Tim is another possible Fastest Tim of the Day winner.

Paul Crute runs his Jaguar power OMS 28 in the Over 2000cc Racing Car Class, both days. Another contender for Fastest Time of the Day perhaps?

With a weekend packed with great cars and great motorsport – Why not join us?

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 July 21st and Sunday July 22nd
Times: Competition runs from approx. 1300, practice runs 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

COMPETITOR INFORMATION – JULY MEETINGS – CARS

Jul 9, 2018

The July 21st and 22nd Event documents are now available for download. Of course, these are subject to change and will be updated as a when required. We will publish an Ammendments Schedule for entries changes regularly, so make sure you check our Facebook Page and the News Section of the website.

Here are the documents:

Saturday 21st July:

Final Instructions Saturday 21st July

Paddock Plan – Saturday 21st July

Entry List – 21st July

Provisional Batch List – Saturday 21st

Sunday 22nd July:

Final Instructions Sunsay 22nd July

Paddock Plan – Subday 22nd July

Entry List – 22nd July

Provisional Batch List – Sunday 22nd

AMMENDMENTS:

None at 9th July 2018

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

It’s Official – The Bikes Are Back in July

Jul 6, 2018

We are pleased to announce that the Autocycle Union has issued two event licences for our July 21st and 22nd meetings.

This means we will have another two meetings with the Solo Motorbikes and Combinations (Side Cars) taking to the hill.

Those who have watch the cars at Gurston Down should come and see, what can only be described as awesome, the bikes and side cars of the ACU’s Hill Climb Club. We have at least two side-cars entered so far, entries have only been open for 24 hours.

So why not come and join us – Saturday 21st and Sunday 22nd July!

Tony Marsh Memorial Weekend – Event Report

Jun 23, 2018

What a great weekend! The Tony Marsh Memorial Weekend brought 130 cars and 30 motorbikes to Gurston Down Speed Hill Climb.

The weekend was four rounds of the Meadens Skoda Gurston Down Championship and two rounds of the Cavendish Ships Stores Top Ten Challenge.

Both the Championship and the Challenge are in their early stages with no clear leaders or likely championship contenders. However, the June meetings changed all that. Some drivers putting down some excellent performances has lead to clear leaders in both. More on those later.

The highlight of the weekend was The Tony Marsh Memorial Trophy. It is awarded to the Meadens Skoda Championship Competitor who makes the greatest improvement in or is nearest to their respective class record in either of the June meetings.

Mark Crookall, in the MX5 class won it for a record third year in succession by improving the existing record which now stand at 40.34s.

Together with the regular Meadens Skoda Gurston Down Championship classes, there are a number of invited clubs.

Saturday’s Invited Classes:

The ACSMC Registered Road Legal Cars Class. With the variety of cars in this class which is an amalgamation of all of the ACSMC classes, each competitor is competing for honours in their original class. The Mitsubishi Evo of Clive Stangle took the win with a new class record of 34.93s. Jenny Stangle in the Mitsubishi Evo she shares with Clive was second. A great day for the Stangles!

ASWMC Registered Road Legal Cars ran next. There were just three cars / driver combinations entered. After the first timed runs, Steve Ellis in his Ford Escort was almost a second ahead of Tony Wiltshire in his Lotus Elise. In the second timed runs, Tony improved his time by over a second and took the lead. However, it wasn’t to be. Steve improved on his second run which was good enough to take the win by just 0.25s.

Next to run was the Midland Speed Championship. The class had five entries. Aaron Walters in his Toyota Celica GT4 took the class winalmost a second ahead of his nearest rival, Martin Walters in his 500 Abarth. Aaron’s time was38.83s with Martin’s being 40.29s.

The 500 Owners Association Championship, sponsored by Riley Cranes had a great entry, unfortunately only two managed to get to the line. Vic Deane in his Cooper Mk9 took the win with a 45.23s, second timed run.

Sunday’s Invited Classes:

It’s great to see the Volvo Owners Club Class competing. The current class record holder, Richard Conway in his PV544 started favouite and stamped his authority on the class from the outset. He was almost two seconds ahead of Kevin Diamond in then Amazon. Neither could improve their times on the second timed run so Richard took the win, finishing on 44.17s and Keith on 46.76s.

The Bugatti Owners Club Championship came to the start line next. Their championship is subject to rules that include a handicap. Our results are purely based on finishing times. This fastest time was Richard Jones in his Brabham BT29X with a 31.92s run. Second was Steve Darley in his Leastone F5, 35.02s and third was Nick Stevens on 36.04s in his Lotus 51b.

Picture: Martin Woolmington

The Pirelli Ferrari Championship class went next. David Snelson is his 430 won the class with a 36.92s second timed run. Paul Booth and his 458 Spider was second on 39.09s and Pauline Goodwin in her 328 on 41.07s.

Picture: Martin Woolmington

The Midland Speed Championship returned for the second day. Aaron Jones in his Toyota Celica GT made it two in a run. His time was an improvement on Saturday’s time at 37.81s and David Reed in the Lotus 61FF second on 40.86s.

Gurston Down Regular Classes:

The Gurston Down Mazda MX5 Class, supported by The Window Doctor ran next. Saturday saw Mark Crookall take the win, a new class record and as a consequence the Tony Marsh Memorial Trophy for the third year running. The record is now 40.34s. Jason Richardson took second place with a 41.04s.

Sunday saw the positions reversed. Jason’s first timed run came in at 40.63s with Mark on 40.75s. Their second timed run were a dead-heat at 41.07s so Jason took the win. Third on both days was Chris Burch, who shares Mark’s RS was third both days. Better watch out, this class championship looks like it will go all the way to the wire.

Picture: Martin Woolmington

The Road Going Series Production Class up to 1400cc is a new class this season and seems to be becoming popular. There were only two entries on Saturday but four on Sunday. John Davey in his MG Midget, the Managing Director of our Top Ten Challenge sponsor took the class both days. Finishing on 41.83s on Saturday and 41.47s on Sunday.

The Record-Designs supported Road Going Series Production Class 1401cc to 2000cc went next. It was a big class with similar entries both days. Paul Dickinson in his new car, a Honda S2000 stamped his authority on this class during the June meetings. Not only did he take the class win both days but he took charge of the overall Meadens Skoda Championship too. Paul’s Saturday time was 38.14s and Sunday 38.42s.

Dean Cubitt’s Mazda MX5 has some mechanical issues prior to the meeting so he competed in a borrowed Honda S2000. Second on Saturday was Tim Forster in the newly rebuilt Lotus Elan after the fire at Goodwood. Third was Ronald King in his Renault Clio. Tim finished on 38.86s and Ronald 39.40s.

Sunday saw a great run by Rob Brodie in his Clio which has had a little work over the past few weeks, that have paid off. His second place time was 39.36s. Third was Chris Davies in a Honda Civic with a 39.49s second timed run.

Picture: Martin Woolmington

The Over 2000cc Road Going Series Production Class supported by Turbo Dynamics went next. Saturday saw the current class record holder and former Gurston Down Champion, Stephen Moore and his Evo 6 take the win with a 34.93s run. After a year or so absence, Simon Neve brought his Mitsubishi Evo back to the hill and took second place with a 36.53s run, pipping the Lewis Dean Subaru Impreza of Shaun Fudge by just 0.14s.

On Sunday, Simon Neve took the win with a 36.21s. Shaun Fudge was second with a 36.93s run and the Mazda MX5 driven by Jon Maycock third on 37.26s.

The Fieldfare Trailer Centre supported Road Going Specialist Production Class had another strong entry on Saturday. Adrian Lewis and his Westfield Superbusa and Clive Skipper and the Caterham 7 HPC started favourites. Clive was on top form, he took the win both days by very small margins. On Saturday Clive finished on 35.38s with Adrian on 36.30s. Sunday was much closer, with Clive on 34.38s and Adrian on 34.65s after the first timed run. Unfortunately, neither could go quicker in the second timed run.

Picture: Martin Woolmington

There is just one Modified Limited Production Marque Sports Cars up to 2000cc Class saw Elen Worthington in her Lotus Elise compete on her own and stopped the clock on 37.65s. On Sunday, Andrew Hurle in his Sylva Phoenix managed a 39.59s run.

The Over 2000cc Modified Limited Production Marque Sports Car Class had just two entries on Saturday and four on Sunday. On Saturday Graham Beale and his Ginetta took the win over Phil Price and his 911RS. But it was close, Graham’s time was 35.05s and Phil 35.19s.

Phil Price and his 911 turned the tables on Sunday. It wasn’t quite as close as Saturday but both went a little quicker. Phil stopped the clock on 34.36s and Graham 34.95s.

The all Mini Up to 1400cc Modified Series Production Class ran next. The class record holder, Neil Turner won both days. On Saturday he stopped the clocks on 35.51s with James White 36.35s.

On Sunday, Neil took the win with a 35.65s first timed run with Derek Mullis second finishing on 38.66s.

The Over 2000cc Modified Series Production Class, supported by Meadens Skoda took to the hill next. Saturday saw Chris Berrisford in his Subaru Impreza took the win from Tim Painter in the Aston Martin Vantage. Chris stopped the clocks on 35.33s with Tim just 0.50s behind.

On Sunday Stephen Moore brought his modified Mitsubishi Evo to the class. Stephen stamped his authority on the class with a first timed ruin of 33.88s and then improved his time finishing and winning the class on 33.35s. Tim Painter took second.

The huge entry in the Gates of Brokenhurst supported Modified Specialist Production Class always produces some very close results. Saturday was no exception. Steve Holland took the win with his Caterham Hayabusa with a 32.89s second timed run with Martin Watson in his Westfield SeiW second just 0.08s behind. Ritchie Gatt was third.

On Sunday it was all change! Martin Watson took the win, 32.51s with Ritchie Gatt and the Westfield SeiW, second on 32.86s and Steve Holland third on 32.99s.

The Kelvin Jouhar supported Historically Interesting Class was next to the line. Fryth Crosse and his Dempster Ensign LNF3 took the class both days with a 34.49s on Saturday and a 34.35s on Sunday. Sue Hayes was second with Amanda and Richard George swapping places for third and fourth.

Mark Mortimer in his Mallock17b has the Hill Climb Super Sports Class to himself on Saturday but was amalgamated with the Sport Libre Class on Sunday. His time on Saturday was better on Saturday than Sunday.

The Sports Libre up to 1400cc Class had a good entry on Saturday and had the addition of Mark Mortimer on Sunday. Tim Pitfeild’s troubles with his DJ Firecat continued with gearbox issues which cause him to withdraw. Peter Steel scooped the wins on both days with a 34.39s on Saturday and 33.99s on Sunday.

The Lewis Property Services supported Sports Libre 1400cc to 2000cc Class had a great entry but retirements forced two competitors out on Saturday. On Saturday the class was won by the WEV HCS-BDG of Keith Diggle.

On Sunday Keith’s class was amalgamated with the over 2000cc class.

The Sports Libre over 2000cc Class has two entries both days. Chris Cannell with the Force SR8 and Geoff Twemlow’s Saker GT. On Saturday, Chris took the win whilst Geoff struggled with his “self-steering” Saker and withdraw on Sunday. The two Sport Libre classes being amalgamated left Keith Diggle fighting with Chris Cannell for the win. Chris went a little slower as issues arose with the SR8 but his first timed run was enough to take the class win

The 601cc to 1100cc Racing Car Class, supported by Drynham Project Management Limited saw James Moore and his Empire Evo 2 take the win from Tony Levitt in another Evo. James’s time was 31.83s on Saturday and 31.75s on Sunday. Tony’s times were 32.49s and 32.12s respectively.

The NTM Training supported Formula Ford class had just one entry on Saturday. Carole Nicholls in her Nike Mk4 stopped the clocks on 43.63s.

On Sunday we saw Richard and Georgia Yeomans with their Crossle 25F. The victor on the day was Richard. His time was 39.83s.

The SM AeRoTechniques supported, 1101cc to 1600cc Racing Car Class went next. There is a relatively small entry both days. The shared Force PT of Peter D Smith and Richard Gayland won both days in the hands of Peter. He also set Fastest Time of the Day both days. His times were 30.13s on Saturday and 30.00s on Sunday.

The 1601cc to 2000cc Racing Car – Normally Aspirated and the Over 2000cc Racing Car Classes were amalgamated. Paul Crute in his Jaguar power OMS 28 won both days.

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

WOW! Great Motorbikes Action at the June Meetings!

Jun 23, 2018

Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th June brought thirty bikes, sidecars and riders of the Autocycle Union’s (ACU) National Hill Climb Championship to the fast and twisty Gurston Down Speed Hill Climb.

Picture – John Pike

The riders and their machines produced a great display of skill and spectacular riding. The bikes ran early on both days which meant we all got to see their Top Ten Run-Off. For those who were lucky enough to be watching at the Karousel to Ashes complex you will have seen Tommy Hodges little off and the great riding that gave us the pictures above.

Picture John Pike

Solo Motor Cycles 100cc to 250cc class

Saturday saw Alan Harvey on his Huish Yamaha YZ take the win over John Bottomley on his Ducati. Alan finished on 39.37s. Alan rode alone on Sunday and improved his time, finishing on 38.86s.

Solo Motor Cycles 251cc to 350cc class

Simon Wilson on his Yamaha had the class to himself on Saturday and turned in a 41.15s.

With the additional competition of Steve Atkins and the Greeves on Sunday, not only did Simon take the win but he also improved his time finishing on 40.61s.

Solo Motor Cycles 351cc to 500cc class

The huge entry in this class on Saturday. April’s meeting was settled in the hundredth of a second and the June meetings weren’t any different. George Hodges on his Team GV Honda CRF took the class win with a 35.19s. Chris Keates on his Honda, Callum Short on his KTM and Mike Tilley on his Honda CR were second, third and fourth. They finished on 35.67s, 35.78s and 35.99s respectively.

On Sunday, April’s winner Dan Hurley came back on his Honda CR. Saturday’s winner, George Hodges, couldn’t quite managed to beat Dan, although he did improve his time. The result was Dan Hurley 34.88s, George Hodges 35.08s, Mike Tilley 35.38s, Callum Short 35.58s and Chris Keates 35.68s. Spectacular riding by all.

Picture – John Pike

Solo Motor Cycles 501cc to 750cc class

Tom Short on his KTM SR stamped his authority on this class from the outset on Saturday. Not only did he win the class but he took the Fastest Time of Day too. His class time was 33.25s. Tommy Hodges, Team GV KTM SMR was just three hundredths behind on 33.28s. Dan Hurley on his Husaberg was third on 34.78s and Guy Ursell, on his KTM was fourth finishing on 34.82s.

Tom Short repeated the class win, this time stopping the clocks on 32.88s. Tommy Hodges couldn’t quite match his pace on Sunday and finished second on 33.48s. Guy Ursell was third with a 34.68s.

Solo Motor Cycles 751cc to 1300cc class

Saturday’s class had just three entries. Alan Jolly on his Aprilia TZV lead the class and took the win with a 35.56s second timed run. Second placed man Matthew Moggridge on his Suzuki was only 0.19s behind after the first timed run but Alan put in a great second timed run, improving his time and making sure of his win.

Sunday’s class brought Stu Mills, April’s class winner and Fastest Time of the Day man on his Aprilia Tuono V4. He established a two second lead after the first timed run over Alan Jolly. Alan pulled a little back but just wasn’t quite enough. Stu’s time was 33.23s.

Picture – Martin Woolmington

Sidecar Class

The sidecars is such a great class to watch and both days were no exception. After the first timed runs on Saturday, Simon and Jane Foster’s Honda combination was ahead by a good margin from Pat and Paul Keates Baker F1 by over a second. The second timed runs changed all that, Pat and Paul Keates pulled a 36.80s run taking the win.

Sunday was a repeat of Saturday. But this time it was much closer. The Keates were ahead after the first timed run by a heathy margin. But the Foster’s pulled a fantastic runs out of the bag and undercut the Keates first timed run by just 0.09s. Pat and Paul may well have known their time had been beaten when they left the line but they took 0.15s off their previous times winning by just 0.06s!

Top Ten Run Off

Earlier than usual in the meeting, the bikes took their Top Ten Run Off. Tom Short took both run offs with Tommy Hodges, second both days, Guy Ursell, third both days. Dan Hurley and Stu Mills were fourth and fifth on Saturday and their positions reversed on Sunday.

Fastest Time of the Day

Tom Short had an outstanding weekend, with class wins, Top Ten Run-Offs and Fastest Times of the Day too!

Picture – John Pike

The July meeting will have a surprise for those who love the motorbikes. There is a plan to run the bikes at this years and future July meetings. This is subject to the appropriate meeting licences. Look out for more information soon!

All other pictures – Steve Lister

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