The Tony Marsh Memorial Trophy Winner 2017

Jun 24, 2017

At our Tony Marsh Memorial Weekend, held every year at our double headed June meeting. Gurston Down awards the Tony Marsh Memorial Trophy.

The Trophy is awarded to any driver, registered for the Gurston Down Hill Climb Championship, who makes the best improvement in a class record. If no class records are improved, the driver who comes closest to the existing class record as it stands before the weekend will win the Trophy.

The 2017 Tony Marsh Memorial Trophy was won, for the second year in success, by Mark Crookall. Mark improved the MX5 Class record on both days. In April he set the class record at 40.98s, on Saturday it was reduced to 40.75s and on Sunday to 40.55s.

Mark is currently the leader in the Meadens Skoda Gurston Down Speed Hill Climb Championship.

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

Championship and Challenge Standings after Round Three

Jun 24, 2017

Championship and Top Ten Challenge Standings after Round Two and Three

Rounds two and three of the Meadens Skoda Gurston Down Hill Climb Championship and The Cavendish Ships Stores Top Ten Challenge ran at the 50th Anniversary Meetings on Saturday 17th and Sunday 18th June.

Round two and three produced some interesting results.

The Cavendish Ships Stores Top Ten Challenge

The Cavendish Ships Stores Top Ten Challenge saw a change in fortunes for many of the cars and drivers in the challenge.

The mechanical issues the Jonathan Gates / Peter Sexton Force LM had at the May meeting couldn’t be fixed in time for round two and three. The SR8 of Chris Cannell and Sue Hayes was running on seven cylinders in June. Peter D Smith and the Empire he shares with Richard Gaylard suffered too.

Chris Cannell now leads on 23 points with James Moore second. Andy McBeath jumps into third. Mike Rudge and Martin Watson are fourth and fifth, respectively.

These issues have changed the complexion of the challenge standings. With two more rounds to go and drop scores to take into account, these seasons challenge looks the most open for a while.

The full table reads:

Meadens Skoda Gurston Down Hill Climb Championship

The Meadens Skoda Gurston Down Hill Climb Championship is still lead by Mark Crookall from the Gurston Down Mazda MX5 class. He broke his existing class record on Saturday and Sunday at the June meetings! He is now has 67.50 points.

The next three have 64.50 points, Stephen Moore, the 2015 and 2016 champion, Neil Turner and Chris Cannell. The next two are Simon Purcell, the 2014 champion on 64.23 points and James Moore on 64.20 points.

With the scores like they are the July meeting may well be the decider.

Mark is in a very secure position at the moment. But there are two more rounds to go. And with the quality of the competition and taking drop scores into account, only time will tell.

Perhaps the July meeting will be the decider?

The championship class report and tables will be available online shortly.

We would like to thank all of our sponsors for their support in our 50th Anniversary year!

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

Event Report – 50th Anniversary – 18th June

Jun 23, 2017

Gurston Down Speed Hill Climb celebrated it’s 50th Anniversary on the 17th and 18th June with two meetings over the Tony Marsh Memorial Weekend.

The Anniversary Celebrations included a number of cars, motorbikes, drivers and riders who were part of the Gurston family over the years. We will publish a separate report of the celebrations later.

Sunday brought an array of around 130 different cars and 30 motorbikes on the hill. Conditions were similar to Saturday.

The Sunday’s event was the third round of the Meadens Skoda Gurston Down Hill Climb Championship and the Cavendish Ship Stores BARC SW Top Ten Challenge. There will be more news of that later.

Sunday’s meeting also decided the who will be awarded the Tony Marsh Memorial Trophy.

Full Event Results:

Invited Classes:

The Volvo Owners Club Class went first. There were two lovely cars. It wasn’t much of a surprise to see the current class record holder, Richard Conway in the PV544 take the class win from Kevin Diamond in an Amazon. Not quite his record breaking form he had at the April meeting but it was close. His time was 43.54s.

The Morgan Cars Class came next. There were some really love;y cars running the hill. The Morgan Plus 8’s were dominant. Both drivers, Robert Toon and Alan Foster were close. Robert’s first timed run came in at 39.22s ahead of Alan. But Alan had a great second timed run but it wasn’t quite enough. He ended on 39.39s.

The Bugatti Owners Club Championship went next. Richard Jones in the Brabham BT29X was quickest with a 31.67s first timed run. The battle was now for second. Mike Broome in the Alexis Mk17 F3, switched classes from the Historically Interesting Class and took second from Nick Stephens in the Lotus 51b. Second, third and forth were all within one second of each other and the result would have been very different after the first timed runs.

Dave Reed and Ian Perry went next in the Service Hydraulics Speed Championship. Unfortunately, Ian had a serious mechanical failure at the start of the first timed run and just about made it to Hollow before pulling off the track. Dave Reed’s time 39.80s was quicker than Saturday’s time too!

The Gurston Down Regular Classes:

The Mazda MX5 Class, supported by DoctorMX5 went next. Mark Crookall was favorite after Saturday’s performance and Sunday’s performance was no expect. Not only did he win the class, broke his existing class record again. It now stands at 40.55s. As a consequence he has maintained his lead in the Meaden’s Skoda Gurston Down Championship. He also retained the Tony Marsh Memorial Trophy!

The Road Going Series Production Class up to 2000cc, supported by Record-Designs was next up. Tim Forster and his Lotus Elan lead from the first timed run and went even faster on the second, his time 37.76s just 0.50s short of the current class record. Dean Cubbit (Mazda MX5) and Paul Dickinson (Honda S2000) had a great battle for second and third ater the first timed run. But Paul had a fantastic second timed run finishing on 38.19s with Dean on 39.02s.

Stephen Moore, the former double Gurston Down Champion and class record holder had a good day in the over 2000cc Road Going Series Production Class supported by Turbo Dynamics. He wasn’t as fast as the previous day and finished on 34.40s. The next three were Jon Maycock and his MX5, Simon Marsh in the Golf R and Shaun Fudge and his Subaru Impreza.

It was all change in the Fieldfare Trailer Centre supported Road Going Specialist Production Class. Alan Mugglestone in his Raw Falcrum finished on 33.23s, ahead of Adrian Lewis (Westfield Superbusa) and Nicholas Mugglestone (Raw Falcrum). Nicholas beat Clive Skipper by just 0.01s! The first four being separated by just 1 second!

The Modified Limited Production Marque Sports Cars up to 2000cc Class was a repeat of Saturday’s event. Steve Butts, a former Gurston Down Champion, and his Lotus Elise take the win with an improved time of 34.99s.

Simon Purcell and the Lotus Elise won the over 2000cc Modified Limited Production Marque Sports Car Class. He was a little quicker than Saturday on the first timed, his time 33.83s. However, things didn’t quite go to plan on the section, Simon has a little bit or work to do after a little off on the second timed run.

There was a surprise in the all Mini line-up in the up to 1400cc Modified Series Production Class. Neil Turner produced an identical time of 35.26s to take the win!

Richard Wood Yamaha Mini had a better day. He end a little ahead of Saturday’s best with a 38.14s in the Modified Series Mini Class.

The 1401cc to 2000cc Modified Series Production Class, supported by Tipadel saw Tom Reeves and his Peugoet 106 win again. This time he was managed a 38.63, almost a second faster than Saturday. A great performance!

Jason Tunnicliffe and his 205 repeated Saturday’s win in the over 2000cc Modified Series Production Class, supported by Meadens Skoda. He also improved on his time and finished on 33.99s. Roy Baker in the Mitsubishi Evo saw a welcome return. He finished third behind Tim Painter’s Aston Martin Vantage GT4.

Victory in the Gates of Brokenhurst supported Over 2000cc Modified Specialist Production Class went to Mike Rudge. He beat his Saturday best time and finished on 31.51s. Anthony Orchard and Martin Watson switched places with Martin grabbing second after a super second timed run.

Fyrth Crosse and his Ensign F3 also repeated his Saturday victory in the Historically Interesting Class, supported by Kelvin Jouhar. He improved his time too, 33.52s was almost six seconds ahead of the second place man, James Dean.

Derek Harris improved his time in his Mallock17b in the Hill Climb Super Sports Class. Derek improved time was 34.41s.

It was another good day for Keith Diggle and his WEV HCS. His 31.99s first timed run in the Lewis Property Services supported Sports Libre up to 2000cc Class. Tim Pitfield and the DJ Firecat was second. It’s good to see the car both cars and drivers back.

The Sports Libre over 2000cc Class, supported by Berazzi Wheels gave Chris Cannell and the Force SR8 he shares with Sue Hayes the class win. His time means he is currently second in the Cavendish Ship Stores Top Ten Challenge.

The 601cc to 1100cc Racing Car Class, supported by Drynham Project Management Limited was a repeat of Saturday’s results. James Moore and his Empire Evo 2 lead from the start. He improved his Saturday time by a small margin, his time of 31.26s.

The 1101cc to 1600cc Racing Car Class, supported by SM AeRoTechniques with Brian and Adrian Moody was interesting on Sunday. Neal Coles did another sub 30 second run, finishing a on 29.89s, just a shade quicker than Saturday.

The first five cars in the Formula Ford class were separated by less than one second. The class record holder Simon McBeath was pushed hard by Peter Hannam, Mark Alley and Russell and George Haynes. Sam took the win, 36.43s, Peter, 36.60s and Mark 36.73s.

Dave Lord and his Quest SF86 won the 1601cc to 2000cc Racing Car – Normally Aspirated Class. He couldn’t quite match his Saturday time but he was well clear of Roger Cook. His time was 34.01s.

The 1601cc to 2000cc Racing Car – Forced Induction Class saw Andrew McBeath and his OMS manage a 30.31s first timed run.

Sandra Tomlin could match the pace of her son Oliver in the Over 2000cc Racing Car Class. Oliver also secured Fastest Time of the Day in the Pilbeam MP97-03. His finishing time was 27.92s

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, Insight Medical Services, Insight Security and Peter Crutcher from Ringwood PA.

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

Event Report – 50th Anniversary – 17th June

Jun 23, 2017

Gurston Down Speed Hill Climb celebrated it’s 50th Anniversary on the 17th and 18th June with two meetings over the Tony Marsh Memorial Weekend.

The weather could only be described as sweltering!

The Anniversary Celebrations included a number of cars, motorbikes, drivers and riders who were part of the Gurston family over the years. We will publish a separate report of the celebrations later.

Saturday had 130 or so cars and 30 motorbikes on the hill and could only only be described as busy. Conditions were superb as far as the track was concerned but the air temperature meant some suffered with performance issues.

The weekend’s events were the second and third rounds of the Meadens Skoda Gurston Down Hill Climb Championship and the Cavendish Ship Stores BARC SW Top Ten Challenge but more on that later.

The June meetings decide the who will be awarded the Tony Marsh Memorial Trophy.

Full Event Results:

Invited Classes:

ACSMC Registered Road Legal Cars went to the hill first. The Westfield SEIW of Mike Williams took the win with an outstanding performance finishing on 36.53s. The Renault Clio’s of Andrew Bisping and Hugh Mackey took second and third on 42.57s and 43.52s, respectively.

ASWMC Registered Road Legal Cars ran next. The form book was a great indicator, Steve Clark and his Subaru Impreza took the win by a good margin over the Lotus Elise of Jonathan Langmead finishing on 38.17s.

The Porsche Club GB class went next. David Dyson and his 911 turbo really pulled out the stops finishing on 34.38s. The 924S of Graham Rose was next, his second timed run of 36.36s secured his second place. The next five cars were separated by just one second with their positions changing after the first timed run.

The Service Hydraulics Speed Championship went next. The Lotus 61FF of Dave Reed stamped his authority on the class in the first timed run, only to improve on the second. His time was 40.40s.

The Gurston Down Regular Classes:

The Gurston Down Mazda MX5 Class, supported by DoctorMX5 went next. It was the current leader in the Meaden’s Skoda Gurston Down Championship and the 2016 Tony Marsh Memorial Trophy winner, Mark Crookall who lead all day. He pulled out all the stops in the second timed run, beating his existing class record, finishing on 40.75s and scoring maximum points in the Meaden’s Championship. Was he about to take the Tony Marsh Memorial Trophy again? We’d have to wait until Sunday after all the timed runs to find out.

The Road Going Series Production Class up to 2000cc, supported by Record-Designs went next. Martin Ellis and his Ford Escort had a great second run snatching the win from Tim Forster and his Lotus Elan. Dean Cubbit (Mazda MX5) and Paul Dickinson (Honda S2000) were third and forth respectively.

The over 2000cc Road Going Series Production Class supported by Turbo Dynamics was an exciting class on Saturday. The current class record holder and former Gurston Down Champion, Stephen Moore and his Evo 6 was in command of the class from the start of the meeting. His time of 33.70s was unbeatable. The next three were Jon Maycock and his MX5, Shaun Fudge and his Subaru Impreza with Simon Marsh in the Golf R finishing just a second apart.

Adrian Lewis and his Westfield Superbusa took the The Fieldfare Trailer Centre supported Road Going Specialist Production Class finishing on 33.61s but he was chased by Alan Mugglestone in his Raw Falcrum who finished on 33.75s. Clive Skipper and the Caterham 7 HPC came third.

The Modified Limited Production Marque Sports Cars up to 2000cc Class saw Steve Butts, a former Gurston Down Champion, and his Lotus Elise take the win with a 35.81s first timed run.

Simon Purcell and the Lotus Elise won the over 2000cc Modified Limited Production Marque Sports Car Class. His first timed run of 34.18s gave him a commanding lead and ultimately the class win.

The all Mini line-up in the up to 1400cc Modified Series Production Class saw Neil Turner produced a near class record time of 35.26s to take the win. Derek Mullis was second.

Richard Wood Yamaha Mini was in good form. He managed a38.47s in the Modified Series Mini Class.

The 1401cc to 2000cc Modified Series Production Class, supported by Tipadel saw Tom Reeves and his Peugoet 106 go under 40s to take a convincing win. Tom’s second timed run was slightly better than his first at 39.44s.

The over 2000cc Modified Series Production Class, supported by Meadens Skoda went next. Another Peugeot, taking the class win against some very strong competition. Jason Tunnicliffe and his 205 held of that gorgeously presented Aston Martin Vantage GT4 of Tim Painter. Jason’s times was 34.95s just 0.60s ahead of Tim.

The huge entry in the Gates of Brokenhurst supported Over 2000cc Modified Specialist Production Class saw some very close racing. The first timed runs didn’t really give an overall indication of the likely finishing order. Mike Rudge made the class his with his second timed run of 31.73s and gave him eighth fastest time of the day. An outstanding performance by all the entrants. The top three in this class separated by less than one second. Anthony Orchard and Martin Watson finishing second and third.

Unfortunately the Marsh Special wasn’t able to compete in the competitive runs but was involved in the cavalcade runs on Saturday in the Historically Interesting Class, supported by Kelvin Jouhar. Fyrth Crosse and his Ensign F3 and Mike Broome and his Alexis Mk17 F3 were very close after the first timed run. But Fyrth must have found another gear in the second timed run as he took almost 1.50s off the first run. He finished on 35.04s with Mike on 36.09s. All the cars in this class were so well turned out.

Derek Harris in his Mallock17b had the Hill Climb Super Sports Class to himself. Derek had a fabulous first timed run stopping the clocks at 34.67s.

Adrian Lewis’, Lewis Property Services supports the Sports Libre up to 2000cc Class. The Force LM shared by Jonathan Gates and championship sponsor Peter Sexton hadn’t had the mechanical gremlins sorted so there were no Top Ten Challenge points for them. Keith Diggle’s WEV HCS took full advantage and took the win with a 32.43s.

The Sports Libre over 2000cc Class, supported by Berazzi Wheels had Sue Hayes and Chris Cannell with the Force SR8 both looking for Cavendish Ship Stores Top Ten Challenge points. Chris took the win in the slightly mis-behaving SR8.

The 601cc to 1100cc Racing Car Class, supported by Drynham Project Management Limited was lead from the start by James Moore and his Empire Evo 2. His time of 31.32s scored a solid second in the Top Ten Challenge.

The 1101cc to 1600cc Racing Car Class, supported by SM AeRoTechniques with Brian and Adrian Moody took to the hill next. It wasn’t to be for Peter D Smith and Richard Gayland with the Force PT. Allowing Neal Coles and Morgan Jenkins to fight it out. A sub 30 second run from Neal (29.94s) in the first timed run was just enough to take the win from Morgan who was only 0.13s off Neal’s time.

The Formula Ford class had a busy Saturday. The class record holder Simon McBeath was on top form. His sub 37 second runs were enough to take the win. Second was different, Mark Alley had a good lead after the first timed run but George and Russell Haynes pulled out some great runs but they couldn’t quite edge Mark out.

The 1601cc to 2000cc Racing Car – Normally Aspirated Class went next. Dave Lord and the Quest SF86 started favourite and finished with the win. His time was 33.72s.

The 1601cc to 2000cc Racing Car – Forced Induction Class saw Andrew McBeath and his OMS manage a 29.83s.

Sandra Tomlin put on a great performance in the Over 2000cc Racing Car Class. Sandra in the Pilbeam MP97-03 won the class and Fastest Time of the Day. Her time was 29.82s

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, Insight Medical Services, Insight Security and Peter Crutcher from Ringwood PA.

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

Event Report – Motorbikes – 17th and 18th June

Jun 23, 2017

Our 50th Anniversary Weekend brought some amazing weather and some superb performances by the riders of the Auto-Cycle Union’s National Hill Climb Association.

The fast, narrow and twisty course at Gurtson Down Speed Hill Climb is a challenge in a car and it’s a wholly different experience on a bike or a sidecar.

As part of our 50th Anniversary Meeting, Peter Isaac and his Velocette 500 returned to the hill. Peter a rider, who competed in our very first event, rode the hill on the motorbike he used in 1967 and still competes with!

Combined Results:

The first class to go on Saturday was the 100cc to 250cc Solo Motor Cycles. Callum Short on his Honda 250cc won the class with his first timed run which stopped the clock on 38.27s. Darren Butler on his Suzuki and Allan Harvey on his Yamaha were second and third, finishing on 39.23s and 39.74s, respectively.

Callum Short was on even better form on Sunday on his Honda. He took his second win of the weekend with an even quicker second timed run 36.93s. Darren Butler on his Suzuki and Allan Harvey on his Yamaha repeated their second and third from Saturday but they also improved their time. Darren finished on 38.51s and Allan on 39.70s.

The 351cc to 500cc Solo Motor Cycle Class went next. Chris Keates on the Honda CRF was just 0.09s in front of Mike Tilley on his Honda CR after the first timed run. But Mike pulled out a fantastic second timed run, pipping Chris to the win. Mike managed a 35.64s and Chris just couldn’t improve on his first run of 35.91s.

Sunday’s first timed run saw Mike ahead of Chris this time, his time of 35.40s was 0.43s ahead of Chris. But the second timed runs, Chris went faster still, 35.37s. Chris took the win with Mike second.  Terry Hall and Richard Bowker were close for third and forth, Terry’s 36.49s just 0.19s ahead of Richard’s 36.68s.

It was Tommy Hodges weekend in the 501cc to 750cc Solo Motor Cycle Class. He won both days on his Team GV KTM. Saturday’s time was 33.56s whilst Sunday’s was quicker at 33.25s. He was almost a second ahead of Peter Short on the KTM both days. Stuart Mills was out on a Kawasaki Z750 on Saturday and took third by just 0.02s ahead of Guy Ursell. Stuart finished on 34.92s and Guy on 34.94s. On Sunday Guy took third with an improved time of 34.53s.

Paul Jeffery and his KTM RC8 were another tough partnership to beat in the the Solo Motor Cycle 751cc to 1300cc Class. On Saturday he produced a 33.13s run taking the win from Alan Jolly and his KTM. Alan’s time was 34.22s. On Sunday Paul’s first timed run of 32.55s was enough to push Stuart Mills’ 33.66 into second. Alan Jolly ended third on 34.67s.

Then came those amazing Side Cars. It was the Ian Guy / Steve English on the LCR Suzuki were another team that were unbeatable this weekend. Their 36.81s first timed run on Saturday gave them a win over Patrick and Paul Keates who finished on 37.07s.

Sunday was a repeat of the previous day. Ian Guy and Steve English of 35.30s gave them a new Side Car record. An outstanding performance! Patrick and Paul Keates finished second on 36.72s.

Paul Jeffery’s two great performances earned him Fastest Time of the Day on both days. His Sunday time of 32.55s was just 0.70s off the long standing hill record set in 2012 by Ben Wilkins of 31.85s.

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, Insight Medical Services, Insight Security and Peter Crutcher from Ringwood PA.

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

50th Anniversary Meeting Preview – Cars – June 17th and 18th

Jun 4, 2017

Gurston Down Speed Hill Climb celebrates it’s 50th Anniversary during the Tony Marsh Memorial Weekend on the 17th and 18th of June.

The Anniversary Celebrations include some of the cars and drivers who competed at the first event or were part of Tony Marsh’s racing career. There will be a convoy run of the cars during practice and during the events both days. Tony Marsh was instrumental in the design and build of the hill as we know it today.

There are over 130 cars and drivers together with more than 30 motorbikes 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 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!

The weekend’s events are the second and third rounds of the Meadens Skoda Gurston Down Hill Climb Championship and the Cavendish Ship Stores BARC SW Top Ten Challenge.

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

Saturday’s Invited Classes:

ACSMC Registered Road Legal Cars will head to the hill first. There are a wide range of cars in this class. The Westfield SEIW of Mike Williams, the Supercharged Mini Cooper S of Steve Barnett and the Clio 200 of Andrew Bisping are likely to head the field. But with the variety of cars and drivers, this class could be anyone’s.

ASWMC Registered Road Legal Cars run next. There are four drivers and cars in this class. The form book would suggest that Steve Clark and his Subaru Impreza should take the win. Although the Caterham of Paul Reynolds and the Lotus Elise of Jonathan Langmead might just give Steve something to think about.

The Porsche Club GB Class runs next. The class has 14 drivers in a variety of Porsche cars. It’s such a difficult class to predict. There are some driver / car combinations that are likely to be in the top three. Geraint Evans and his 911, Ian Wadsworth 911 Carrera and Graham Rose 924s should all be there or there abouts.

The Service Hydraulics Speed Championship goes next. The class has just two entries, Ian Perry and his Rover 25 and Dave Reed in his Lotus 61 FF. That should be interesting, the Lotus will probably snatch the win.

Sunday’s Invited Classes:

The Volvo Owners Club Class has just two entries. The current class record holder, Richard Conway in the PV544 and Kevin Diamond in an Amazon. It will probably be Richard who will take the win.

The Morgan Cars Class comes next. There are nine cars entered. The Plus 8’s of Robert Toon and Alan Foster should be in the top five but this is another competitive class.

The Bugatti Owners Club Championship will head for the hill next. This class has an eclectic group of cars entered. Everything from an Ginetta G15, Mallock Mk11, a Russell Alexis FF, Lotus Type 51b, Austin Minis and a Jaguar 3.4 Saloon. They are always beautifully presented so these will be some of the cars to visit in the paddock.

The Service Hydraulics Speed Championship returns for it’s second day. It will be interesting to see if the Saturday victory, wins on Sunday.

The 500 Owners Association Championship has Mark Riley and his 500cc Creamer entered.

The Gurston Down Regular Classes, running both days:

The Gurston Down Mazda MX5 Class, supported by DoctorMX5 runs next. The current leader, class record holder and the winner of the2016 Tony Marsh Memorial Trophy, Mark Crookall is favourite in this class. With a class full of standard cars, Mark will have to work hard to insure his victory. Can he repeat his 2016 record breaking form and take the Tony Marsh Memorial Trophy again?

The Road Going Series Production Class up to 2000cc, supported by Record-Designs will be next. It is a big class and has a few new comers and returnees. Miles Horne bring a 306 Rallye back after an absence. Tim Forster and his Lotus Elan will have his work cut-out with Miles and Dean Cubitt ready to pounce.

The Turbo Dynamics supported Over 2000cc Road Going Series Production Class goes next. This will be a challenging class for most of the entrants as the current class record holder and former Gurston Down Champion, Stephen Moore and his Evo 6 comes back after missing the May meeting. The biggest battle might be for the places in this class. But who will it be? Shaun and Sarah Fudge and their Subaru Impreza, Jon Maycock and his turbo Mazda MX5 or Simon Marsh in the VW Golf R?

The Fieldfare Trailer Centre supported Road Going Specialist Production Class comes next. There are nine entries! Adrian Lewis and his Westfield Superbusa and Clive Skipper and the Caterham 7 HPC usually have this class pretty much to themselves. But with the experienced group in this class both days, everyone will need to be on top form.

Steve Butts, a former Gurston Down Champion, and his Lotus Elise has some competition in the Modified Limited Production Marque Sports Cars up to 2000cc Class.

Steve Holley has an interesting weekend ahead in the Over 2000cc Modified Limited Production Marque Sports Car Class. Graham Beale returns in his Ginetta G33 and Simon Purcell will be in his Lotus. Simon will have an interesting weekend. On Sunday these three are joined by Bob Mortimer and his 911 and Paul Slade in the Jaguar E Type. An interesting class this weekend!

It’s an 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 will have to work really hard to keep David and Derek from taking the win.

Richard Wood is certain to have a good weekend in the Modified Series Mini Class, he is the only entrant.

The 1401cc to 2000cc Modified Series Production Class, supported by Tipadel will be the next to start. It has just two entrants, Tom Reeves and his Peugoet 106 and Rod Wheat in his Racing Ford Puma. Both of these cars should be quick.

The Over 2000cc Modified Series Production Class, supported by Meadens Skoda takes to the hill next. This should be a very interesting class to watch on Sunday as we see the return of Roy Barker and that super fast Evo!

There is a huge entry in the Gates of Brokenhurst supported Over 2000cc Modified Specialist Production Class. Mike Rudge and Antony Orchard in their respective Westfield’s will have a really tough time this weekend. There are some really great cars and drivers entered. A notable entry is Graham Masters who competed at Gurston in 1967, shares his son Neil’s Westfield.

Peter Marsh brings his father, Tony Marsh’s three time British Hill Climb Championship winning, Marsh Special to the Historically Interesting Class, supported by Kelvin Jouhar. The Marsh Special is a 4200cc four wheel drive car that Tony won the British Championships in 1965, 1966 and 1967. Geoff Hunt and the Lotus 22 will be competing as will some beautiful historic machines. This class is another class full of beautiful cars!

Derek Harris in his Mallock17b has the Hill Climb Super Sports Class to himself. Derek will be chasing personal bests and class records!

There is a good entry in the Lewis Property Services supported Sports Libre up to 2000cc Class. Saturday sees nine entrants and Sunday ten. It’s probably going to be the Force LM shared by Jonathan Gates and championship sponsor Peter Sexton that will take the win as long as the oil leak they had in May has been sorted. Peter and Jonathan will be looking for Top Ten Challenge points too.

Jeff Way brings the mad Chevrolet Camaro to the Sports Libre over 2000cc Class, supported by Berazzi Wheels on Sunday. Sue Hayes and Chris Cannell with the Force SR8 go both days. On current form, Chris is the likely class winner both days. He will also be looking to improve his standings in the Cavendish Ship Stores Top Ten Challenge.

The 601cc to 1100cc Racing Car Class, supported by Drynham Project Management Limited run next. There is a good entry with five driver and car combinations. James Moore and his Empire Evo 2 should take the win but the others will make him work for it.

The Formula Ford Class has nine entries on Saturday and seven on Sunday. All these cars have been built to roughly the same regulations and usually finish within a few tenths of seconds of each other. With the class record holder Simon McBeath heading the field, it’s going to be the driver who does best on the day who will take the win.

The 1101cc to 1600cc Racing Car Class, supported by SM AeRoTechniques with Brian and Adrian Moody takes to the hill next. There is a pretty good entry. Peter D Smith and Richard Gayland with the Force PT start favourites. All these competitors will be looking for Top Ten Championship Points.

The 1601cc to 2000cc Racing Car – Normally Aspirated Class has two entries. Dave Lord and the Quest SF86 and Roger Cook with the Pilbeam MQP54. This class is too close to call.

The 1601cc to 2000cc Racing Car – Forced Induction Class sees Andrew McBeath go head to head with Ben Wheeler on Saturday in their OMS25 and Empire Evo respectively and Andrew alone on Sunday.

There are three entrants in the Over 2000cc Racing Car Class, both days. Sandra Tomlin in the Pilbeam MP97-03 and Paul Crute in the Jaguar OMS 28 run both days. They are joined by David Gardner and his Pilbeam MP62 on Saturday. Sandra is joined by her son Oliver on Sunday. He’s competing in the historical interesting class on Saturday.

And don’t forget we have the motorbikes and sidecars of the ACU’s National Hill Climb Championship both days too!

With the event being the official celebration of the 50th Anniversary of Hill Climbing at Gurston Down and the variety of cars and motorbikes, June 17th and June 18th will be provide two action packed days of motorsport.

There will be more on the 50th Anniversary Celebrations soon! So don’t miss it!

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 June 17th and Sunday June 18th
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