Meeting Preview Motorbikes – June 17th and 18th

Jun 4, 2017

The 50th Anniversary Weekend brings the riders of the Auto-Cycle Union’s National Hill Climb Association motorbike championship to the award winning, fast, narrow and twisty course at Gurtson Down Speed Hill Climb.

There are two meetings over the weekend, one on Saturday 17th and the other on Sunday 18th. Both events have more than 30 solo motorbikes and sidecars competing. Some of the fastest of the UK’s motorbike hill climb racers will be joining us. They will also have two of their amazing Top Ten Run-Offs!

The solo motorbikes are in classes just like the cars are. The classes are based on cc of the motorbike. The bikes competing at Gurston Down Speed Hill Climb on June 17th and 18th range in capacity from under 250cc and over 1100cc. And there are side cars with rider and pillion too!

As part of our 50th Anniversary Meeting, a rider who, and the motorbike he competed on at our first meeting in 1967. Peter Isaac bring his Velocette 500 to the hill and will take part in the event. We look forward to seeing Peter and the Velocette!

Full Preview of Classes:

On Saturday, the first class to go will be the 100cc to 250cc Solo Motor Cycles. Callum Short on his Honda 250cc won the class in April so he will start as favourite. He has some stiff competition. Darren Butler (Suzuki), Allan Harvey (Yamaha) and Quentin Woollacott (Suzuki) were second, third and forth respectively. All were with 1.5s of Callum’s winning 38.43s, so that’ll be an interesting battle.

However, on Sunday there is an additional entry, Steve Atkins and his Greeves 250cc. It will be interesting to see if this will upset Callum Short (Honda) and the rest of the class.

Saturday’s 351cc to 500cc Solo Motor Cycle Class goes next. There are eight riders in this class and it’s always close. The one, two, three in April was Chris Keates (Honda CRF), Mark Tilley (Honda CR) and Richard Bowker (Honda CRF). But you won’t be able to discount anyone else. Hill Climbing is all about the performance on the day.

Sunday sees a reduced entry, just five riders. But last April’s top three are still in the mix. These riders will treat every run as a completely separate event so they will not be thinking about Saturday’s winners.

The 501cc to 750cc Solo Motor Cycle Class on Saturday, brings some really fast motorbikes to the hill and some of the fastest riders too! Tommy Hodges (Team GV KTM), Peter Short (KTM) and Mark Short (Aprilia SVX) as well as Daniel Hurley (Husaberg) will be amongst the front runners. There are some great riders here but on April’s form Tommy should end up on top.

Sunday’s event brings Keith Haines and his Aprilia SVX to the class. He’ll be challenging Tommy, Peter, Mark and Daniel for spots in the Top Ten and a class victory.

Saturday’s Solo Motor Cycle 751cc to 1300cc Class comes next. There machines are fast, properly fast. At April’s meeting, Stuart Mills managed a 34.02s run. He’s not competing on Saturday so Alan Jolly and Paul Jeffery will have just four additional riders to compete against. These are the bikes that will probably give us the motorbike Fastest Time of the Day. But you should never discount anyone.

The entry on Sunday includes Stuart Mills, April’s Fastest Time of the Day and Top Ten Run-Off winner. Will Stuart be able to repeat April’s fine performance?

Then come they amazing sight of the Side Car. Saturday and Sunday’s Side Car Class has four combinations with a rider and pillion in each. Patrick and Paul Keates with the Baker are the current class record holders and won the event in April. They must start as favourites but at April’s meeting they were only 0.19s ahead of the Guy and Pilmoor-Brady, LCR Suzuki combination. Ian has a different pillion in the shape of Steve English for the June event. Which of these two will have the edge?

Both days will have a Top Ten Run-Off after the class runs. The fastest ten go head to head. This usually produces some fabulous riding.

Why not join us for either or both days? We have the motorbikes and cars competing, making the weekend a fantastic weekend’s motorsport at the South’s premiere Hill Climb Course!

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 from approx. 1300, practice 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

The British Came and So Did the Competition!

May 30, 2017

Gurston Down Speed Hill Climb hosted the first of this year’s two visits by the British Hill Climb Championship. Both the Avon Tyres / TTC Group MSA British Hill Climb Championship and the Avon Tyres / TTC Group MSA Hill Climb Leaders Championship were competing on the hill.

Saturday May 27th was practice day. Those who camped were treated to an amazing thunder and lightening show during Friday night but the consequence was a rather damp course in the morning.

Fortunately, first practice was uneventful. During the day, the weather improved and so did the times. By the end of the afternoon practice session there were some interesting times being posted.

Sunday morning practice was another damp start. The track was cold and visibility changed by the minute. By the first timed runs there was more heat in the track and the air. The weather forecast suggested that the afternoon runs might be affected by rain, which had been predicted as heavy on Saturday ended as a little drizzle.

The highlight of the Sunday were the two Top Twelve Run-Offs. More on those later.

Class Results in Detail:

The BARC South West B Licence Class ran first. The class had a huge variety of cars and drivers. Martin Watson’s Westfield overcame Sarah Fudge and the Impreza she shares with Shaun to take the win. Sarah’s time was a personal best at 37.52s. Gordon Weston and his Porsche 924 also had a good day, his first 40 second run, 40.93s, another personal best.

The Porsche Club’s National Championship Class was as competitive as ever. Andrew Norris and his 911 Carrera took the class win, finishing on 34.58s, with Peter Turnball’s 911 GT3 and Tim Barber’s, 996, 911 GT3 RS taking second and third respectively, both within three-quarters of a second on Andrew’s time.

The Gurston Down Mazda MX5 Class, supported by DoctorMX5 went next. There were just two entrants. A fabulous performance by Jason Richardson, 41.15s, less than 0.20s off the class record, on his first timed gave Nick Revels, our newly appointed Competition Secretary, an impossible mountain to climb. Jason’s second timed run was a little more eventful and he couldn’t improve on the time.

The Road Going Series Production Class up to 2000cc, supported by Record-Designs ran next. Dean Cubitt’s new A licence allowed him to transfer from the B Licence event and add his quick Mazda MX5 to the mix. Tim Forster and the gorgeous Lotus Elan took the win with a 38.42s second timed run but he was pushed all the way to the line by Richard Brant and the Clio 172 and Dean who finished second and third respectively on 39.04s and 39.67s.

The over 2000cc Road Going Series Production Class, supported by Turbo Dynamics went next. Andrew James and his Nissan 350Z made huge improvements during the weekend but just couldn’t catch the Subaru of Shaun Fudge. Shaun stopped the clocks on 37.09s and Andrew on 38.96s. Both of these cars are beautifully presented.

Next up was the Fieldfare Trailer Centre supported Road Going Specialist Production Class. Adrian Lewis and his Westfield Superbusa produced an outstanding performance. Adrian’s first timed run of 34.63s, left everyone else in his wake!

The up to 1400cc Modified Series Production Class saw Neil Turner first timed run produce a 35.27s run. That run was just 0.05s shy of his existing class record. But he didn’t have it all his own way, Eric Morrey and the Hillman Imp finished just 0.67s behind.

Richard Wood had a good weekend in the Modified Series Mini Class. His Yamaha powered car managed a 40.47s first timed run.

The over 2000cc Modified Series Production Class, supported by Meadens Skoda ran next. Former Gurston champion, Simon Purcell in his Lotus Elise lead from the first timed runs but with competition from Mark Walker’s Porsche Cayman and Jeff Twemlow’s Subaru Impreza, it wasn’t a sure thing. Simon’s first timed run of 34.48s saw off Mark and Jeff who finished second and third on 35.31s and 35.44s.

Mike Rudge ended up on his own in the over 2000cc Modified Specialist Production Class, supported by Gates of Brokenhurst. His second timed run was a significant improvement on the first and he ended the day on 31.97s. That time was just 0.33s off the class record.

The Historically Interesting Class, supported by Kalvin Jouhar ran next. Fyrth Cross and his Ensign LNF3 pretty much stamped his authority on the class after the first timed run, stopping the clocks on 33.77s. It was left for the other entrants to fight for second. The gorgeous Chevron B19 of Richard and Amanda George, in Amanda’s hands came home next on 36.57s just 0.03s in front of Richard.

The Sports Libre up to 2000cc Class, supported by Lewis Property Services saw the super quick, supercharged Force LM shared by Jonathan Gates and Peter Sexton take the win. Although only Peter managed a run before the Force decided to dump it’s oil in the finish holding paddock. This left the WEV HCS of Keith Diggle to take second. A great result since he has swapped classes this season by re-joining the up to 2000cc class. Peter’s time was 30.26s and Keith’s 32.41s.

Allan McDonald and his Mini Evo had the Sports Libre over 2000cc Class, supported by Berazzi Wheels, to himself. He managed a 32.31s run.

The 26 entrants in the 601cc to 1100cc Racing Car Class, supported by Drynham Project Management Limited ran next. As predicted the class was extraordinarily close. This time there were eleven car and driver combinations within one second of the winning time! Harry Pick had a fantastic first timed run in his OMS finishing on 30.02s, with Simon Fidoe and his Empire Waith second on 30.11s and Steve Owen in the works OMS third on 30.24s. Adam and Andy Greenen, Gurston regulars in the Road Going class, with their new Empire Evo 2 finished 7th and 13th respectively. It will be interesting to see how they progress this season. Roll on August!

The 1101cc to 1600cc Racing Car Class, supported by SM AeRoTechniques with Brian and Adrian Moody ran next. This class was as hotly contested as the 1100cc class. The first five covered less than one second. Ed Hollier and his amazing Empire Evo ended up on top with a 28.46s in the first timed run which was good enough to qualify for the first Top Twelve Run-Off. Richard Spedding and the GWR Raptor came second with a great first timed run which also lead to a Top Twelve Run-Off place. Les Mutch and his GWR Raptor was third just missing out on the qualification time.

Simon McBeath was favourite in the Formula Ford Class, supported by Basil and Lorraine Pitt. Simon had stiff competition but put some great runs together. His first timed run was enough to give him victory in the Swift SC92F. The next three places were separated by just 0.11s. Richard Summers’s 37.49s first run, held off Nev Rollason and Mark Alley who were third and fourth with 37.59s and 37.60s.

The 1601cc to 2000cc Racing Car Class – Normally Aspirated – was won by Tim Elmer and the Dallara. His time 29.98s left Tricia and Terry Davies and their shared OMS to fight for third. Terry couldn’t overcome Tricia’s slim first timed run advantage. Tricia finished on 31.17s and Terry 31.47s.

The 1601cc to 2000cc Racing Car Class – Forced Induction – was won by Paul Haimes and his Gould GR59 on the first timed run. Paul also qualified for the Run-Off. Paul’s car suffered mechanical issues during the first Run Off as it had done all weekend. Kelvin Broad and the Pilbeam MP101 was second with 28.69s.

The Over 2000cc Racing Car Class was close. With almost all of the drivers wanting to qualify for the Run-Offs, no-one was taking any prisoners! The new GR59b of Wallace Menzies won the class but it was close. The next five were all withion one second of his time of 26.49s.

Then it was the turn of the Lotus 7 Club Championship.

The Lotus 7 Club Championship Class 1 – Cars Up to 125 bhp – had one entry, so Paul Boston’s 38.53s first timed run secured victory!

The Lotus 7 Club Championship Class 2 – Cars up to 150 bhp – List 1A Tyres – This competitive championship always produces close results and Class 2 wasn’t an exception. Robert Jacobs, Andrew Willoughby and Graham Howard, ended up first second and third respectively just separated by 0.13s. Robert finished on 37.39s, Andrew on 37.46s and Graham on 37.52s.

The Lotus 7 Club Championship Class 3 – Cars up to 150 bhp – List 1B Tyres – swa Richard Price take the win but by just 0.03s from Daniel Malkin, reversing the fortunes of last year.

The Lotus 7 Club Championship – Class 4 – Car up to 210 bhp – Jeremy Davis was the only entrant in his R300 and ended up on 35.82s.

The Lotus 7 Club Championship – Class 6/7 – saw a new class record in the first timed run. Simon Rogers’s 31.59s run beat the existing record held by Simon Jenk’s by 0.31s. Simon didn’t manage a second timed run.

RUN-OFF RESULTS:

Round 7 of the British Hill Climb Championship – Top Twelve Run-Off

Championship Leader, Trevor Willis (OMS 28) took the first run-off with a solid 26.22s run which was enough to keep former champion Scott Moran (Gould GR61X) and Wallace Menzies (Gould BG59b) at bay. The first five were all within one second of Trevor who won Fastest Time of the Day with this run!

Round 8 of the British Hill Climb Championship – Top Twelve Run-Off

Current Champion, Scott Moran, turned the tables on Trevor Willis in the second run-off. Wallace Menzies finishing third, Will Hall (Force) and Alex Summers (DJ Firestorm) were fourth and fifth, just as they finished in the first run-off.

Another great weekend’s Hill Climbing at Gurston Down!

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, Peter Crutcher from Ringwood PA and the Hitchings Partnership.

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

The British are Coming!

May 19, 2017

The weekend of Saturday May 27th and Sunday May 28th see the first of the two visits to Gurston Down Speed Hill Climb by the British Hill Climb Championship. Both the Avon Tyres / TTC Group MSA British Hill Climb Championship and the Avon Tyres / TTC Group MSA Hill Climb Leaders Championship come to the hill.

Copyright – John Hayward

The weekend brings some of the fastest cars and drivers in British Hill Climb. They will pit their wits against each other, the clock and the fast, twisty course at Wiltshire’s famous Speed Hill Climb Venue. There will be over 130 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 unrivaled access to the hill, paddock and facilities. We have excellent catering and refreshments on site too.

You really can’t get closer to the action!

Saturday May 27th is practice day. There will be three practice runs, starting around 09:00 with two runs in the morning and one after lunch, usually finishing around 15:00.

On Sunday 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 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! The current leader in the championship is Trevor Willis.

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 but with new cars and drivers this is far too difficult to call. You’ll need to be there to find out!

Class Preview in Detail:

The BARC South West B Licence Class will run first. The class has a variety of cars and drivers. Martin Watson’s Westfield, Richard Wood’s Yamaha Mini, Dean Cubitt’s Mazda MX5, Sarah Fudge’s Impreza and Alex England’s Ford Fiesta are all likely to be in the top five of this class.

August 2016

The Porsche Club’s National Championship Class has an all 911 line-up. The form book says Peter Turnbull or Bob Mortimer will probably be in the top two. But Robert Lancaster-Gaye and his 911 GT2 will be fighting hard. Robert’s recent visit to Gurston’s Drivers School will probably see him right there with Peter and Bob.

The MX5 Class runs next. With only two cars in the class Nick Revels, our newly appointed Competition Secretary’s experience will probably pay dividends.

The Road Going Series Production Car Class up to 2000cc has just five cars entered. Tim Forster and the gorgeous Lotus Elan will have his work cut out with Steve Harris and his rapid Vauxhall Corsa. But you shouldn’t ever discount Richard Brant and his Clio 172.

The over 2000cc Road Going Series Production Car Class, also has just two cars entered. Andrew James returns in the Nissan 350Z GTS but he’ll have to work hard to over-come Shaun Fudge’s revitalised Impreza.

The Road Going Specialist Production Car Class has a three car entry. Adrian Lewis and his Westfield Superbusa will have to work for a win.

The Over 2000cc Modified Series Production Car Class has former Gurston champion, Simon Purcell in his Lotus Exige up against Geoff Tremlow’s beautiful Subaru Impreza, Tim Painter and Andrew Fraser’s stunning Aston Martin Vantage and Mark Walker’s Porsche. It will probably be between Simon and Geoff for first place, although you can’t discount any of the entrants!

The Modified Specialist Production Cars Class, goes next. It could be anyone’s class, Mike Rudge, Anthony Orchard and Simon Jenks will make it a great class to watch. It will depend on who’s on form on the day!

As ever there are some beautiful cars entered in the the Historically Interesting Class. Hopefully, we will see the Chevron B19 of Richard and Amanda George out on the hill. Fyrth Cross and Mike Broome make up this class but “make up” isn’t really the right thing to say. All of the drivers are very capable of taking the class win.

The up to 2000cc Sports Libre Car Class has a large entry. It’s a tough class these days and has some pretty amazing cars entered too. There’s the Maguire Mini of Derek Kessell, Peter Steel’s Mallock, Tim Pitfield’s DJ Firecat and Keith Diggle’s WEV HCS. However, on current form this class will probably be headed up by the supercharged Force LM shared by Jonathan Gates and Peter Sexton.

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.

August 2016

There is a massive entry in the 601 to 1100cc Racing Car Class! There are 26 entrants! Simon Fidoe (Empire Wraith), Darren Gumbley (Force TA Mistral), Steve Owen (OMS 28), Oliver and Liam Cooper (Force HC) and Felix and Lindsay Summers (DJ Firehawk) to name just a few on the competitors who will be fighting for places in the Top Ten Run-Off and Leaders points. Adam and Andy Greenen come back to Gurston with their new Empire Evo 2 a few different car from the Honda Civic they have previously competed in. This class will probably be settled by just hundredths.

The 1100cc to 1600cc Racing Car Class puts Ed Hollier in his Empire Evo up against Sean Gould and Eynon Price’s Gould GR59 and Richard Spedding’s GWR Raptor and six other drivers! All of them will be looking to qualify for the Run-Off and to maintain their respective standings in the British Championship.

Copyright: John Hayward

The 1601cc to 2000cc Racing Car Class – Normally Aspirated – has four cars and six drivers competing. Terry Davis’ OMS has Gurston form as does Tim Elmer (Dallara). This class is pretty open.

The 1601cc to 2000cc Racing Car Class – Forced Induction – has seven cars entered. Form would suggest that the Gould GR59’s of Paul Haimes and Simon Moyse are likely to be in the top two but hill climbing is unpredictable.

August 2016

The Over 2000cc Racing Car Class is the class that will probably bring the Fastest Time of the Day. There are some new car and driver combinations this season. Wallace Menzies brings his Gould GR59b and Dave Uren and Nicola Menzies have the ex-Wallace Menzies GR55. Trevor Willis is currently leading the British Hill Climb Championship so he will be one to watch. But you can’t really discount the current champion Scott Moran (Gould GR61X) or any of the other runners in this class. They will all be looking for Run-off points! Perhaps the Ladies Hill Record is at risk?

The Formula Ford Class sees the current record holder Simon McBeath, back after some time-off, along with eight other drivers in the class. These cars are so similar, the class is always close. The winner will be decided by hundredths and their performance on the day.

Then it’s the turn of the Lotus 7 Club Championship runners

The Lotus 7 Club Championship Class 1 – Cars Up to 125 bhp – has just one entry, Paul Boston.

The Lotus 7 Club Championship Class 2 – Cars up to 150 bhp – List 1A Tyres – David Nelson who won the class last year starts favourite but there are five other entries. 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 one hundredth of a second last year so you should look forward to some spectacular and close racing. decided this! Daniel Malkin beating Richard Price last time but the top five in this class were separated by just one second.

The Lotus 7 Club Championship – Class 4 – Car up to 210 bhp – Jeremy Davis is the only entrant.

The Lotus 7 Club Championship – Class 6/7 – sees six cars and drivers.

Another exciting weekend of at Gurston Down Speed Hill Climb – Don’t Miss It!

Key info
Location: 1 mile west of Broad Chalke, 9 miles SW of Salisbury, Wiltshire. Turn off the A354 at Coombe Bissett on the unclassified road to Broad Chalke, follow AA signs.
Dates: Saturday May 27th and Sunday May 28th
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

Championship and Top Ten Challenge Standings after Round One

Apr 27, 2017

Sunday 23rd April saw the first round of the Meadens Skoda Gurston Down Hill Climb Championship and The Cavendish Ships Stores Top Ten Challenge.

The results of the first round produced some interesting results, perhaps even some surprises.

The Cavendish Ships Stores Top Ten Challenge

Jonathan Gates leads the challenge after his Fastest Time of the Day run in the Force LM he shares with Peter Sexton, Managing Director of Gurston Down’s main championship sponsor, Meadens Skoda, who is third.

Peter D Smith is second in the Empire he shares with Richard Gaylard, who is fourth.

Chris Cannell and his Force SR8 is fifth.

The full table reads:

Meadens Skoda Gurston Down Hill Climb Championship

The Meadens Skoda Gurston Down Hill Climb Championship is currently lead by Mark Crookall from the Gurston Down Mazda MX5 class. He broke his existing class record on Sunday by just 0.03s which gave him the extra bonus point that makes him championship leader.

The next three have 21.50 points, Stephen Moore, the 2015 and 2016 champion, Neil Turner and Chris Cannell.

The next three are Simon Purcell, the 2014 champion on 21.23 points, James Moore 21.20 points and Tim Forster on 21 points.

There are a number of people with scores very close to these top seven drivers, including some former champions so it’ll be good to see how the season pans out.

The next rounds of both championships are on our 50th Anniversary weekend in June! With a round both days, there might be more clarity in how this season will go. Although if last season is anything to go by, they may be settled on the final runs of the season!

The full class tables are available online.

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

April 23rd Meeting Report

Apr 26, 2017

The 2017 Gurston Down Speed Hill Climb Championships got under-way on the Sunday 23rd April.

It was the first of five rounds of the Meadens Skoda Gurston Down Hill Climb Championship and the Cavendish Ship Stores Top Ten Challenge. Both championships are very competitive and very well supported.

About 130 cars and drivers came to Gurston together with around 30 motorbikes and combinations. There is a separate report on Sunday’s bike action.

Overnight it was cold. Those staying on site were greeted with a very cold and a little frosty start to the morning. But by the time the course was open, it looked like and became a glorious day.

Spectators turned out to see all the action.

The weekend’s marshal shortage continued through to Sunday so we would like to thank those drivers who helped at the start-line. We rely on the goodwill of all our marshals to run every event so we would like to thank them here too!

First up should be the Volvo Owners Club which had only one entry. Richard Conway’s rather pretty Volvo PV544 had a great day. He smashed the class record, previously held by John Dando in a Volvo 144 at 45.00s. Richard first run was 43.70s and second even faster at 43.53s. Congratulations on that achievement!

The TR Class was next to the line. This class is always hotly contested and Sunday was no exception. Roderick Warner in his TR7 V8 put in a pace setting first timed run of 40.55s which was always going to be a tough one to beat. Richard ended on that time and won the class. Second was a bit of a battle too, Nick Smith in his TR6 managed to stave off Tony Browne’s beautiful Dolomite Sprint. Nick ended on 41.32s and Tony on 41.92s.

The classic British Austin Healey’s were next, in the Austin Healey – Big Healey and Warwick Car Class. Richard Mason ended as the envetual winner on 38.90s, his first timed run in his 3000 Mk2. Paul Baker and Pat Cooper in their respective 100/6 and 3000 were second and third, finishing on 39.12s and 40.36s respectively.

Next went the Austin Healey – Sprites Class. The two Sebring Sprites driven by David Abram and Stephen Casson were in form from the word go! Colin Gale and his Sprite made sure they both worked hard. The first three being separated by less than half a second. It finished David, Stephen and Colin, 40.07s, 40.23s and 40.56s respectively.

The huge class in the ‘Classic Marques Speed Championship’ were entertaining as usual. Class. Matthew Eady and his Ginetta G4 won on Saturday beating Steve Cox but he couldn’t repeat that performance on Sunday. It was as close as ever! Steve Cox and his TVR V8S came in first with a faster time than Saturday on 37.19s with Matthew Eady, second with 37.38s.

Then it was time for the first round of the Meadens Skoda Gurston Down Speed Hill Climb Championship and the Cavendish Ship Stores Top Ten Challenge.

The Gurston Down Mazda MX5 Class, supported by DoctorMX5 went first. Mark Crookall, yesterday’s winner, class record holder and the 2016 class champion made it two in a row. His first timed run broke his own class record which now stands at 40.98s. David Lord joined the class after having an issue with his Quest, borrowing Nick Hollier’s car but couldn’t beat Nick’s time of 43.36s giving Nick second.

The Road Going Series Production Class up to 2000cc, supported by Record-Designs was next. Tim Foster and his lovely Lotus Elan was nearly a second quicker than his Saturday time stopped the clocks on 37.93s. Dean Cubitt’s Mazda MX5 was nudged out of second by Paul Dickinson’s Honda S2000. Paul finished on 38.93s and Dean on 39.28s.

The over 2000cc Road Going Series Production Class, supported by Turbo Dynamics came next. Stephen Moore, the 2015 and 2016 Meaden’s Skoda Champion. Stephen’s super fast Mitsubishi Evo took the class win on 33.70s. Shaun Fudge and his Impreza and Jon Maycock’s turbocharged Mazda MX5 fought hard for second. Shaun was ahead after the first timed run by Jon pulled out a great run pipping Shaun by just 0.10s!

Next up was the Fieldfare Trailer Centre supported Road Going Specialist Production Class. The tables were turned on Saturday’s result. Adrian Lewis turned up the power in his 1.3 Westfield Supercharged Superbusa which gave him the tiniest of margins in the first timed runs over Clive Skipper and his 2.0 Caterham HPC. Clive went ahead after his second timed run but Adrian produced a superb run snatching the win with a 34.62s just 0.10s ahead of Clive’s time!

Steve Butts, a former Gurston Down Champion, and his Lotus Elise were the only entry in The Modified Limited Production Marque Sports Cars up to 2000cc Class. Steve improved his time over Saturday stopping the clocks on 34.02s, just 0.64s short of his existing class record.

The over 2000cc Modified Limited Production Marque Sports Car Class was won by Simon Purcell and his Lotus Elise, He finished on 34.73s. Steve Holley (TVR Griffith) came second.

Derek Mullis had problems on Saturday with his Mini in the up to 1400cc Modified Series Production Class. David Bean kindly shared his car with Derek so he could drive on Sunday. But it wasn’t to be either man’s class. Neil Turner made sure of that, beating them both and finishing on 35.67s.

Richard Wood had a good weekend in his Modified Series Mini Class, Yamaha powered car. His time of 39.46s wasn’t far from his existing class record.

Darren Balster and his Peugoet 205 in the 1401cc to 2000cc Modified Series Production Class, supported by Tipadel managed a very keen 35.50s run which was faster than the cars in the larger capacity class.

The over 2000cc Modified Series Production Class, supported by Meadens Skoda saw Tim Painter and Andrew Fraser’s Aston Martin Vantage GT4 go head to head against Mike Butler’s Toyota Celica GT4. Tim repeated his class win, finishing on 35.50s.

Mike Rudge repeated his Saturday win in the over 2000cc Modified Specialist Production Class, supported by Gates of Brokenhurst with a 31.75s second timed run. Martin Watson too second on 32.15s.

Tables were turned in the Historically Interesting Class, supported by Kalvin Jouhar. Mike Broome and his Alexis Mk17 F3 overcame Saturday’s winner Geoff Hunt and his Lotus 22. Mike’s first timed run was 36.38s.

Derek Harris in his Mallock17b improved on his Saturday time in the Hill Climb Super Sports Class. Derek finished on a 34.91s.

The Sports Libre up to 2000cc Class, supported by Lewis Property Services had four entrants but it ended up be a race between the Force LM drovers Peter Sexton and Jonathan Gates. It was Jonathan’s day! He finished on 29.45s and claimed Fastest Time of the Day and ten points in the Cavendish Ship Stores Top Ten Challenge.

The mad 7.5 litre Chevrolet Camaro of Jeffrey Way joined Chris Cannell and Sue Hayes’s Force SR8 in the Sports Libre over 2000cc Class, supported by Berazzi Wheels. Chris won the class with a 30.28s second timed run. It’s always great to see cars like the Camaro on the hill!

The 500 Owners Association went next. These super-lightweight 500cc are fast. The 2001 Rules Class saw John Dent in his Cooper Mk8 win with a 42.66s second timed run just ahead of Finlay MacIntosh and his Cooper Mk6, 43.04s.

The 500 Owners Association, Other Cars class had just one entrant. A 650cc Cooper Mk6. Ainsley Barwick stopped the clock on 43.60s.

The 601cc to 1100cc Racing Car Class, supported by Drynham Project Management Limited went next. James Moore in the Empire ran slightly quicker time than Saturday crossing the line with a 31.98s. A great weekend for James!

The 1101cc to 1600cc Racing Car Class, supported by SM AeRoTechniques with Brian and Adrian Moody, saw a reversal of the Saturday result. Peter D Smith overcame Richard Gaylard in their shared Force PC, finishing on 29.72s and 30.19s, respectively.

Mark Alley was again victorious in the Formula Ford Class, supported by Basil and Lorraine Pitt. He and his Swift FB91 had a really close battle with George Haynes. It could have gone either way. The first timed runs saw them separated by just 0.02s. They both improved on their times but Mark by a better margin. His time of 37.87s was on 0.07s ahead of George’s 37.94s.

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

April 23rd Motorbikes Meeting Review

Apr 25, 2017

Sunday 23rd April brought the riders from the National Hill Climb Association’s motorbike championship to Gurston Down Speed Hill Climb.

The riders and their machines always produce some spectacular racing and Sunday did not disappoint. If you’d like to see more action on video, check out our Facebook page!

The Solo Motor Cycles 100cc to 250cc class, went first, it had eight entrants. With Gurston being one of the early events in the year it was very difficult to predict. Callum Short on Honda competing for the first time at Gurston Down put in an great performance. His time of 38.43s was almost one second quicker than his nearest rival.

The bigger Solo Motor Cycles 351cc to 500cc class, went next. Chris Keates (Honda CRF), Mark Tilley (Honda CR) and Richard Bowker (Honda CRF) finished as the top three. Chris finished just 0.21s ahead of Mark. Chris’s time was 35.99s.

The Solo Motor Cycles 501cc to 750cc class had six entries. Peter Short and KTM had a poor second run which left Tommy Hodges (KTM SMR) to take the win. Tommy’s second timed run of 34.11s was just 0.88s quicker than Peter’s first timed run of 34.89s. Mark Short (Aprilia SXV) was about one second adrift of these times and finished third.

The Solo Motor Cycles 751cc to 1300cc class saw Stuart Mills who take the win with a fine performance on his Aprilla Tuono. Paul Jeffery and his KTM was ahead after the first timed run but Stuart had a brilliant second run meaning he qualified fastest for the Top Ten Run-Off! Stuart’s time was 34.05s and Paul’s 34.17s. You can see Stuart’s run on video on our Facebook page!

Then it was the turn of the side cars! The rider and pillion race up the hill, the rider laying on their front and the pillion hanging on or sometimes out of the combination!

The Side-Car class was won by last April’s winners and hill record holders, Patrick and Paul Keates in the Baker F1. They finished on 37.14s. The Guy / Pilmoor-Brady combination were second with a 37.33s

The bike meeting closed with a Top Ten Run-off. It was the Fastest Time of the Day man Stuart Mills who came across the line stopping the clocks on 34.02s just ahead of Paul Jeffery, last years winner, on 34.15s.

If you want to see more of the bikes at Gurston Down, they are back later in the year at our 50th Anniversary Meeting on Saturday 17th and 18th June!

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