Aug 30, 2016
Gurston Down Speed Hill Climb hosted the second visit of the British Hill Climb Championship last weekend. There were two rounds of the spectacular Avon Tyres / TTC Group MSA British Hill Climb Championship and the Avon Tyres / TTC Group MSA Hill Climb Leaders Championship.
Over 130 cars and drivers competed, all of them pitted their wits against each other, the clock and the fast, twisty course at Wiltshire’s famous Speed Hill Climb Venue.
Fastest Time of the Weekend went to Scott Moran and his Gould GR61X in the second of Sunday’s Top Twelve Run-Off. He won the second Run-Off with a 26.40s run.
The first Run-Off was won by Trevor Willis and his OMS with a 27.86s in conditions that weren’t exactly conducive to high-speed motorsport.
Pete Hammock won the Bath Speed Trophy for the fastest BARC SW member not registered in the British Hill Climb Championships.
Saturday was practice day. There were three practice runs, two in the morning in dry conditions and one after lunch, in conditions that could only be described as wet. Great fun for the drivers but not for the spectators!
Sunday morning there was an early morning practice, again run in damp conditions. The first timed runs were all in damp or wet conditions. The first of the top twelve run-offs were in similar conditions. After lunch the weather didn’t improve until much later in the afternoon. By the second top twelve run-off came, the track had dried, producing much better times.
FULL REVIEW:
The meeting got under-way with The Porsche Club’s National Championship Class. It had an all 911 line-up. The form book suggested Peter Turnbull would take this but a problem in practice on Saturday forced him to retire on Saturday. Paul Howells took the win after being fourth after the first timed run. His second timed run of 36.27s, four seconds faster than his first timed run, stole the win from early leader, Andy Norris
The Road Going Series Production Car Class up to 2000cc went next. Adam Greenen’s Honda Civic Type R was ahead after first timed runs and stayed there with an absolutely stunning 38.28s run in tricky conditions. Paul Webster, Gurston’s competition secretary in his Mazda MX5 was second with Gurston new-comer Richard Brant (Clio 172) taking third, 40.79s, a great performance!
Allan Warburton (34.87s) took the Road Going Specialist Production Car Class beat his son, David (35.16s), in their super quick Caterham.
Neil Turner and his Mini finished on 36.36s to win the up to 1400cc Modified Series Production Car Class after trailing to Eric Morrey after the first timed run. Eric ended second on 36.99s.
The Modified Series Mini Class had just one entrant so Richard Wood and his Yamaha Mini had his personal best to beat. But that wasn’t going to happen with the conditions like they were. His second timed run was 40.55s.
Colin Satchell’s amazing Peugoet 205 won the 1400cc to 2000cc Modified Series Production Car Class with a 35.46s second timed run. Christrian Evans’ pretty VW Golf just couldn’t match the 205s pace!
The over 2000cc Modified Series Production Car Class saw the former Gurston champion, Simon Purcell in his Lotus Exige and Geoff Tremlow’s beautiful Subaru Impreza, fight it out for first. In the earlier damp conditions, Geoff’s four wheel drive sneaking ahead after the first timed runs. Geoff was probably hoping the conditions wouldn’t improve but they did. Simon’s Exige came to the fore in the afternoon when the track dried. Simon ending on 34.82s and Geoff 36.51s. Tim Painter and Andrew Fraser’s stunning Aston Martin Vantage and Mark Walker’s beautifully prepared Porsche just couldn’t match their pace!
Antony Orchard pipped Mike Rudge to the Modified Specialist Production Cars Class. Antony coming from behind after Mike set the early pace. Antony finished on 33.04s just 0.25s ahead of Mike.
In the Historically Interesting Car Class Fyrth Cross and his Dempster Ensign LNF3 took victory after an issue on his first timed run left him last, some20s off the pace. His second timed run produced a 34.73s run, pushing Hugh Kemp’s Palliser WDF3 into second. Unfortunately, the Chevron B19 of Amanda and Richard George was a non starter.
The Up to 2000cc Sports Libre Car Class had three non starters. Jonathan Gates, Peter Sexton and Tim Pitfield were all absent. This left Peter Steel and Paul Batey to fight it out. Peter and his Mallock Mk20 won. Paul and his Imp first run failure didn’t help.
Allan McDonald was on form this weekend in his Mini Evo. He took the Over 2000cc Sports Libre Car Class with a 31.57s run which was only half a second slower than his personal best. Gurston regular Keith Diggle (WEV HCS) couldn’t match is pace and ended the day, second, on 32.52s.
Simon Fidoe’s Empire Wraith won the 601cc to 1100cc Racing Car Class. The huge class entry saw the first seven places separated by just over 1s! Simon being the clear winner with a 30.74s, second timed run. Simon Andrews finished second on 31.23s with Harry Pick third on 31.38s, Adam Steel fourth on 31.55s, Martin Jones fifth on 31.58s, Steve Owen sixth on 31.72s and Jake Cottrill rounding off the top seven with a 31.78s.
The Formula Ford Class looked like it would be a family affair with Tony and Hannah Wiltshire and their Swift SC93 being in first and second respectively, after the first timed run. But the course was very much drier by the time these cars came out for their second timed runs. Simon McBeath and his Swift SC92F came back to challenge Tony Wiltshire but he didn’t quite make it. Tony ended on 37.12s, Simon on 37.32s!
The Racing Car up to 1985 Class saw the Lyncar Formula Atlantic 5 litre shared by Mat Morrison and John Hewett race alone. Mat beating John with a 34.77s second timed run after John had lead after the first.
With many of the drivers in the 1100cc to 1600cc Racing Car Class registered for the British Hill Climb Championship this class promised to be close. It was just one second separated the top four. Ed Hollier in his Empire Evo won with a 28.72s, Richard Spedding and his GWR Raptor second on 29.55s and the shared Gould GR59 of Sean Gould and Eynon Price finishing third and fourth respectively on 29.79s and 29.80s.
The 1601cc to 2000cc Racing Car Class – Normally Aspirated – saw Tim Davies’ Pilbeam MP88 (30.38s) beat Tim Elmer’s Dallara F303 (30.71s).
Peter Marsh won the 1601cc to 2000cc Racing Car Class – Forced Induction with a 28.37s second timed run beating Dave Uren and his Force PC back into second by just 0.07s. Dave has a small off in the first timed run which stopped him qualifying for the first run-off. Simon and Peter qualified for both top twelve run offs with their DJ Firehawk too!
With all to play for in the British Hill Climb Championship, the Over 2000cc Racing Car Class was going to be a proper battle for run-off qualification. Trevor Willis (OMS 28) won the class and the first run-off. His second timed run stopped the clocks on 27.07s with Wallace Menzies’ Gould GR55 NME, second on 27.30s, Scott Moran Gould GR61X NME third on 27.44s, Oliver Tomlin (27.92s) and Jason Morant (28.00s), fourth and fifth respectively.
Whilst the top twelve run-off qualifiers were preparing their cars three other classes headed to the hill.
The SBD HSA Speed Championship – Sports and Saloons class saw victory for the Raw Stricker of James Robertson finishing on a 37.79s with Colin Bowdidge’s Caterham second and Dave Newman’s Mazda MX5 third on 41.99s ans 42.36s respectively. The HSA Championship may be a single class but the results are divided up into their correct classes when calculating their overall HSA Championship so it’ll be interesting to see what has changed!.
Dean Cubitt won the Mazda MX-5 Class. Dean was pushed by Chris Burley. Chris improved on his second timed run, beating the first timed run time set by Dean. Dean crossed the line on 42.29s edging Chris out by just 0.35s.
The BARC South West B Licence Class had a large entry, seventeen cars! Steve Holland and his Caterham were victorious (33.16s), but it wasn’t clear cut after the first timed runs. Martin Watson’s Westfield finished second (34.69s) with Dave Lord third (35.04s).
The Avon Tyres / TTC Group MSA British Hill Climb Championship first Top Twelve Run-Off, event 27, was won by Trevor Willis (27.86s), second Wallis Menzies (28.03s), third Scott Moran (28.51s), fourth Jason Mourant (28.74s) and Ed Hollier fifth (29.27s).
The Avon Tyres / TTC Group MSA British Hill Climb Championship second Top Twelve Run-Off, event 28 and the 100th Run-Off at Gurston Down Speed Hill Climb, was won by Scott Moran (26.40s), second Wallis Menzies (26.60s), third Trevor Willis (26.64s), fourth Jason Mourant (27.63s) and Oliver Tomlin (27.84s).
Another great weekend motorsport at Gurston Down Speed Hill Climb.
We would like to thank everyone who made the day possible, the office staff, the marshalls (who braved the rain), 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.
Next Meeting: September 11th – Championship Finale
Anthony Record – Press Officer Gurston Down Speed Hill Climb – BARC SW
Aug 15, 2016
Gurston Down Speed Hill Climb hosts the second visit of the British Hill Climb Championship on 27th and 28th August. There are two rounds of both the Avon Tyres / TTC Group MSA British Hill Climb Championship and the Avon Tyres / TTC Group MSA Hill Climb Leaders Championship.
Over 130 cars and drivers will compete in standard road cars, specially prepared hill climb cars and spectacularly fast sport and single seat racing cars. All of them will pit their wits against each other, the clock and the fast, twisty course at Wiltshire’s famous Speed Hill Climb Venue.
The weekend will be full of glorious sounds, smells, skill and speed.
Spectators have unrivaled access to the hill, paddock, cars drivers and facilities, Gurston Down offers. We have excellent catering and refreshments on site too.
You really can’t get closer to the action!
Saturday the 27th August is practice day. There will be three practice runs, two in the morning and one after lunch.
On Sunday the 28th August, there will be an early morning practice followed by one timed run before lunch and the first of two top twelve run-offs. After lunch the second timed runs are followed by the second top twelve run-off. First timed runs typically start at around 10:30.
The Top Twelve Run-Off allows the fastest twelve registered competitors in the British Hill Climb Championship to take an additional run. The ten fastest score points, ten points for fastest, down to one for tenth fastest. These run-offs ultimately determine who becomes the British Champion! The current leader in the championship is Scott Moran, five time champion and hill record holder at 25.37s.
Every driver currently (15th August) in the championship top ten will be at Gurston Down. The weekend will be very important for all of the challengers! So expect there to be spectacular speeds and performances all weekend.
Full Class Preview:
The meeting gets under-way with another visit of The Porsche Club’s National Championship Class has an all 911 line-up. The form book says Peter Turnbull, Jonathan Williamson and Paul Howells should be in the top three.
The Road Going Series Production Car Class up to 2000cc go next, with Adam Greenen’s super quick Honda Civic Type R and Paul Webster, Gurston’s competition secretary in his Mazda MX5 likely to be the top two. Richard Brant and his Clio 172 have been very successful in the Midland Championship this season so it’ll be interesting to see how his first visit goes!
There is only one car in The Over 2000cc Road Going Series Production Car Class. Jamie Powell and his Mitsubishi Evo will have the class to himself.
The Road Going Specialist Production Car Class brings the Warburton’s, David and Allan, Caterham to the hill. So the rest of the class will have their work cut out to win!
Then we will have the up to 1400cc Modified Series Production Car Class. Andrew Russell’s Gineta G15 will have an uphill struggle to over-come the super fast Minis of Neil Turner and James White.
The Modified Series Mini Class has just one entrant, Richard Wood and his Yamaha Mini. Will Richard be looking to improve his personal best? Of course he will, just like every other driver!
The 1400cc to 2000cc Modified Series Production Car Class pits the stunning Peugeot 205 of Colin Satchell against Dee Stapley’s MGF and Christrian Evans’ VW Golf. Colin is a man very much “in form” and will probably take the class 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, Mark Walker’s Porsche and the Datsun 240z of Steph Colvin and Hannah Stapley. It will probably be between Simon and Geoff for first place, although the Aston might just be in the mix too!
The Modified Specialist Production Cars Class sees Mike Rudge, Antony Orchard and five other highly competitive cars and drivers. The class win could go to any of the drivers. It will depend on the day!
The Historically Interesting Car Class has a host of beautiful cars competing. Mike Broome’s Alvis Mk17 F3, the Chevron B19 of Amanda and Richard George, Jeremy Smithson’s Merlyn Mk11, Fyrth Cross and the Dempster Ensign LNF3, Geoff Hunt’s Lotus 22 and Hugh Kemp’s Palliser WDF3. These cars are always wonderful to see and great to watch. Fyrth has the form but in June it didn’t go all his way.
The Up to 2000cc Sports Libre Car Class is likely to be headed up by the supercharged Force LM shared by Jonathan Gates and Peter Sexton. Tim Pitfield and his DJ Firecat would make it easy for the Gates / Sexton team. But who will take the win?
The Over 2000cc Sports Libre Car Class sees the Mini Evo of Allan McDonald against Gurston regular Keith Diggle (WEV HCS) and Paul Punnett’s Metro 6R4 Replica. Much too difficult to predict who will be the victor.
The 601 to 1100cc Racing Car Class has a huge entry! Simon Fidoe in his Empire Wraith, Adam Steel (Marlet AS1), Steve Owen (OMS 28), Olivia and Liam Cooper (Force HC), Lindsey Summers (DJ Firehawk) to name just a few. This class will be close class. At May’s meeting the top nine drivers were separated by just 1.5s.
Simon McBeath starts favourite in the Formula Ford Class. Simon in his Swift SC92F, who is the class record holder won’t have an easy time. The class sees Roger Moran and Tony Wiltshire and four other drivers who won’t let Simon walk away with the win. Another class that will be decided on the day.
Danny Dzenis www.dd-photography.co.uk
The Racing Car up to 1985 Class sees one car and two drivers. The amazing Lyncar Formula Atlantic 5 litre of John Hewett and Mat Morrison is a spectacle in it’s own right and sounds gorgeous!
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. All of these drivers are currently fighting for the British Championship to ten places so they won’t be holding anything back on the day. But there are six other drivers! Current season form and a top twelve run off place at stake means this class will be fast and close!
The 1601cc to 2000cc Racing Car Class – Normally Aspirated – has five cars and seven drivers competing. Tim Davies’ Pilbeam MP88 won in May but Tim Elmer and Terry Davies and the other drivers will be looking to change that.
The 1601cc to 2000cc Racing Car Class – Forced Induction – brings Dave Uren and Nicola Menzies’ Force PC back to Gurston. Dave is having a fantastic season in the British Hill Climb Championship so Simon and Peter Marsh will have to use every bit of their local knowledge to catch David Uren. The Pilbeam MP101 of Kelvin Broad shouldn’t be ruled out! But Dave starts favourite.
The Over 2000cc Racing Car Class has five of the current top ten contends in the British Hill Climb Championship including five time winner Scott Moran who leads the championship. Trevor Willis (OMS 28) should be back after a crash at Wiscombe Park in July. Wallace Menzies’ Gould GR55 NME, Will Hall (Force WH-XTEC), Graham Wynn (Gould GR55), Tony Hunt and Terry Graves (Gould GR55) and Jason Morant (Gould GR55) will all make Scott work for the win. BUT they will all want to qualify for the Top Twelve Run-Offs!
All of these drivers will be looking for qualifying places in the Top Twelve Run-Off.
The two Top Twelve Run-Offs in the Avon Tyres / TTC Group MSA British Hill Climb Championship will be held after the next three classes. Fastest Time of the Day will probably come during one of these two run-offs.
The SBD HSA Speed Championship – Sports and Saloons Class brings an array of different cars to Gurston Down. The HSA Championship may be a single class but the results are divided up into their correct classes when calculating their overall HSA Championship scores. David Newman (Mazda MX-5) will have Ken Morris’ MX5 to contend will so that will be an interesting battle. The overall class win will probably go to the BMW 330 ci of Sarah and Colin Davies or Colin Bowdidge’s Caterham or perhaps the Raw Stricker of James Robertson.
Copyright: Akina Media
The Mazda MX-5 Class sees Dean Cubitt back after various gremlins at the July meeting. He is probably favourite for this class. But there are some new-comers here too, so Dean will need to be on top form!
The BARC South West B Licence Class has a large entry, seventeen cars! James Gibson in his OMS Hornet is seeded first, with Martin Watson’s Westfield and Steve Holland’s Caterham seeded second and third respectively. Jeff Way brings the 7.5 litre Chevrolet Camaro back too.
Copyright: Akina Media
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 August 27th and Sunday August 28thh
Times: Saturday Practice from 0830 until 1500 approx. Sunday 0830 Final Practice then timed runs from approx 1030, 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 15s free, free paddock entry, free parking.
Anthony Record – Press Officer Gurston Down Speed Hill Climb – BARC SW
Jul 27, 2016
Gurston Down Speed Hill Climb hosted a weekend of record breaking motorsport.
The BMTR Midland Hill Climb Championship and the TTC Group Top Ten Challenge were the visiting championship and we also ran a round of the Meadens Skoda Championship, the Cavendish Ships Store Top Ten and Gurston’s first Formula Ford Festival!
Saturday practice was hot! And that wasn’t just the weather! The conditions were great and quite a few interesting times being posted suggesting Sunday’s competition runs were going to be record breakers!
Sunday turned out to be cooler but that didn’t stop the times and records falling!
Fastest Time of the Day (27.13s) and both of the Midland TTC Group Top Ten Challenge run-offs went to Alistair Crawford and his Gould GR55.
Danny Dzenis www.dd-photography.co.uk
A number of records were broken:
Mark Crookall, the previous record holder in the MX5 Class brought a new Mazda MX5 but this time a MK2 RS model, he’d purchased earlier in the month. It paid off and he set another new Class Record to 41.01s.
Danny Dzenis www.dd-photography.co.uk
Stephen Moore’s first timed run in his Mitsubishi Evo, broke the Road Going Series Production Car Class over 2000cc reducing it to 33.31s!
Danny Dzenis www.dd-photography.co.uk
Simon Purcell in his super fast Lotus Exige broke the record he set last meeting in the Modified Limited Production Marque Sports Cars over 2000 cc. It now stands at 33.19s!
Danny Dzenis www.dd-photography.co.uk
Gurston first Formula Ford Festival saw 15 drivers entered including Paul O’Neill, BTCC winner, British GT racer and ITV4 BTCC commentator in first first hillclimb event.
Danny Dzenis www.dd-photography.co.uk
But the victor was Simon McBeath in his Swift SC92F who broke the class record with an impressive 36.30s. The Formula Ford Festival was amazing, the first eight cars were separated by just one second!
Danny Dzenis www.dd-photography.co.uk
Nic Mann and the Mannic Beattie beat his own Sports Libre over 2000cc record with a 27.26s which was also second fastest time of the day!
Danny Dzenis www.dd-photography.co.uk
Richard Jones in his BT29X broke the Sports and Racing Car up to 1971 Class record with a 31.99s in his first timed run!
Danny Dzenis www.dd-photography.co.uk
FULL CLASS REPORT:
The meeting got under way with the B Licence Road Going Series Production Cars up to 2000cc class and was won with a stunning second timed run by Tim Forster in his beautiful Lotus Elan. His time of 37.27s was only one hundredth of a second behind the record set by the second place driver, Adam Greenen, at the last meeting!
Danny Dzenis www.dd-photography.co.uk
Next up were the A Licence Road Going Series Production Cars up to 2000cc class. Won by Paul Webster in his Mazda MX5 “Stripy”. His time was 38.37s. Paul Dickinson and his Renault Clio with a 39.55s took second.
It was a family affair in the B Licence Road Going Series Production Car over 2000cc class with Clive and Jennie Stangle’s Audi TT taking first (35.66s) and second (36.59s) respectively. A brace of Porsche Caymans were next, Andrew Thorp 40.20s, third and Kai Vaksdal fourth.
Stephen Moore’s brilliant run breaking the class record (33.31s) in the A Licence Road Going Series Production Car over 2000cc class has helped him in his challenge for the Gurston Down Championship this year. As he said it’ll be tough to better that time.
Danny Dzenis www.dd-photography.co.uk
The B Licence Road Going Specialist Production Car Class saw Adrian Biggs and his Tiger Sports take the win with a second timed run of 42.34s with John Watson’s Lotus Elise narrowly beaten, finishing on 42.43s.
Danny Dzenis www.dd-photography.co.uk
The A Licence Road Going Specialist Production Car Class was won by Andrew Forsyth and his Westfield Megabusa with a 34.33s first timed run.
The Modified Series Production Car up to 1400cc Class was won by Neil Turner’s Mini Cooper S (35.72s) with James White and his Austin Mini second on 36.95s.
Danny Dzenis www.dd-photography.co.uk
Richard Wood and his Yamaha Mini was the sole entrant so he took the Modified Series Mini Class.
Danny Dzenis www.dd-photography.co.uk
The Modified Series Production Car over 2000cc Class was won by the favourite, Mike Turpin in his Vauxhall VX220 with a 33.50s first timed run. Peter Turnball and his 911 GT3 couldn’t capitalise on Mike’s slower second timed run but finished in second on 34.46s.
Danny Dzenis www.dd-photography.co.uk
The Modified Specialist Production Car Class’s huge entry created a close battle between Mike Rudge and Ash Mason. Mike’s first run of 31.08s gave him the victory and Ash’s 31.24s run secured second. Third and fourth places were equally as tight. Martin Watson (Westfield) and Antony Orchard ended third and fourth respectively.
Danny Dzenis www.dd-photography.co.uk
The Historically Interesting Car Class has three beautifully presented cars, Fyrth Cross’s Dempster Ensign LNF3 was a non starter so it left Hugh Kemp and Geoff Hunt to fight it out. Hugh’s Palliser WDF3 overcame Geoff’s Lotus 22.
Danny Dzenis www.dd-photography.co.uk
Derek Harris had the Hillclimb Super Sports Car Class to himself so ended both first and last on 37.32s.
Danny Dzenis www.dd-photography.co.uk
The Sports Libre Cars up to 2000cc Class saw Tim Pitfield in his DJ Firecat, take the win from Peter Steel and his Mallock. Only 0.40s separating them. Alexander De Vries’s 2CV suffered major mechanical issues before the event and Peter Sexton (Force LM) were both non-starters.
Danny Dzenis www.dd-photography.co.uk
A new class record was set by Nic Mann and the Mannic Beattie in the Libre Cars over 2000cc Class with a 27.26s second timed run. This time was also the second fastest time of the day! An absolutely stunning performance!
Danny Dzenis www.dd-photography.co.uk
The Terrapin M41A of David Tatham took the Racing Car up to 600cc Class with 34.02s.
Danny Dzenis www.dd-photography.co.uk
The Racing Car 601cc to 1100cc Class had twenty drivers! James Moore’s Empire 00 won with a 30.33s timed run. Simon Andrews (OMS 28) and Mike Andrews (Force PC) were second and third respectively but were only separated by 0.01s. Simon Andrews finishing second on 30.73s.
Danny Dzenis www.dd-photography.co.uk
Paul O’Neill (ex BTCC, British GT and ITV Commentator) shared Mark Alley’s Swift FB91 in his first competitive hill climb. Paul was one of the fifteen drivers in the Formula Ford Car Class (up to 1600cc).
The timed runs were close, Richard Summers looked like he had it in the bag with his second timed run at 36.80s. The next few cars came close, Nev Rollason, 36.97s then Russell Haynes 36.95s. Then it was Simon McBeath’s turn. He managed a new class record time of 36.30s. The last car up was Tony Wiltshire, he just couldn’t match Simon’s pace and ended third of 36.83s. Eight drivers were separated by just one second!
Danny Dzenis www.dd-photography.co.uk
Ed Hollier and his Empire Evo, the favourites, took the Racing Car 1101cc to 1600cc Class with a 28.56s first timed run. His fantastic season continuing! Tina Hawkes (Force PC) was second on 29.46s. Pete Hammock broke his personal best three times in Saturday practice.
Danny Dzenis www.dd-photography.co.uk
Tim Davies with his Pilbeam MP88 won the Racing Car 1601cc to 2000cc Normally Aspirated Class with a 29.27s first timed run. The battle for second was close. Tim Elmer (Dallara F303) just squeezed out Johnathan Varley (March 772P) with first timed runs of 30.06s and 30.09s respectively.
Danny Dzenis www.dd-photography.co.uk
The Racing Car 1601cc to 2000cc Forced Induction Class saw Peter and Simon Marsh in their DJ Firehawk scrap for first. Peter ended up on top by just 0.17s. Peter finished on 28.22s and Simon on 28.39s.
Danny Dzenis www.dd-photography.co.uk
Alistair Crawford with his Gould GR55 took the Racing Car Over 2000cc Class and Fastest Time of the Day with a first timed run of 27.13s. Jason Mourant also in a Gould GR55 although with a different engine couldn’t quite catch Alistair.
Danny Dzenis www.dd-photography.co.uk
The Sports and Racing Car up to 1971 Class had three drivers in two stunning cars entered. Richard Jones in the BT29X was on top form, beating the class record in the first timed run. The new record is now 31.99s!
Danny Dzenis www.dd-photography.co.uk
Stuart Ridge in his Pilbeam won the Sports and Racing Car up to 1985 Class with his first timed run at 31.34s. There were glorious sounds from Roger Dean’s 5000cc Lola T142 but no-one could match Stuart’s time.
Danny Dzenis www.dd-photography.co.uk
The MX5 Road Going Series Production Car Class looked like it would be a close battle between, Mark Crookall, who won the Tony Marsh Memorial Trophy in June, and his arch rival Dean Cubitt. Dean suffered electrical and fuelling problems in practice and was a non starter in the timed runs. Mark didn’t bring his usual Mk1 RS, earlier in the month he acquired a Mk2 RS which was faster. Mark ended on 41.01s setting another class record!
Danny Dzenis www.dd-photography.co.uk
Graham Beale won the Modified Limited Production Marque Sports Car Class up to 2000cc in his Ginetta G20. He ended the day on 39.30s.
Danny Dzenis www.dd-photography.co.uk
The Modified Limited Production Marque Sports Car Class over 2000cc saw Simon Purcell in stunning form again. He broke the class record again. His second timed run ended on 33.19s despite having a gearbox issues.
Danny Dzenis www.dd-photography.co.uk
The Maguire Mini of Derek Kessell won the Downton Engineering Social Club (DEWS) Class seeing off Steve Harris’s Corsa. Derek’s time was 36.90s with Steve finishing on 39.35s.
Danny Dzenis www.dd-photography.co.uk
Many drivers had personal bests during the weekend too!
Another great weekend motorsport at Gurston Down Speed Hill Climb.
We would like to thank everyone who made the day possible, the office staff, the marshalls, 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.
Next Meeting: THE BRITISH ARE BACK! August 27th and 28th! Don’t miss it!
Anthony Record – Gurston Down Press Officer – BARC SW
Jul 24, 2016
Gurston Down Speed Hill Climb hosted a weekend of record breaking motorsport.
The BMTR Midland Hill Climb Championship and the TTC Group Top Ten Challenge were the visiting championship and we also ran a round of the Meadens Skoda Championship and the Cavendish Ships Store Top Ten and Gurston’s first Formula Ford Festival!
Fastest Time of the Day (27.13s) and both Run-off went to Alistair Crawford and is Gould GR55.
A number of records were broken:
Mark Crookall, the previous record holder in the MX5 Class reduced the Class Record to 41.01s.
Stephen Moore’s first timed run in his Mitsubishi Evo, broke the Road Going Series Production Car Class over 2000cc reducing it to 33.31s!
Simon Purcell in his super fast Lotus Exige broke the record he set last meeting in the Modified Limited Production Marque Sports Cars over 2000 cc. It now stands at 33.19s!
Simon McBeath in his Swift SC92F won the Formula Ford Class with a record breaking 36.30s. The Formula Ford Festival was amazing, the first eight cars were separated by less than one second!
Nic Mann and the Mannic Beattie beat his own Sports Libre over 2000cc record with a 27.26s which was also second fastest time of the day!
A full report of the meeting will be released later this week.
Jul 11, 2016
Gurston Down Speed Hill Climb hosts a weekend of great motorsport. Not only is it a round of the Meadens Skoda Championship and the Cavendish Ships Store Top Ten. We will also be hosting the BMTR Midland Hill Climb Championship and the TTC Group Top Ten Challenge which includes a run-off at the end of each timed runs! And Gurston’s first Formula Ford Festival!
Our first Formula Ford Festival sees 15 Formula Fords entered in the Formula Ford class! Paul O’Neill (Ex-BTCC, British GT driver and ITV4 BTCC commentator) competes in his first competitive hill climb after coming to the May Hill Climb School! He’ll be sharing Mark Alley’s Swift FB91.
Around 140 cars and drivers will compete in road-cars, specially prepared hill climb cars, spectacular sport and racing cars. They will all 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 spectacle of speed and sound. Gurston Down has excellent catering and refreshments on site too!
You really can’t get closer to the action!
Full Class Previews:
The Road Going Series Production car classes are split into two for this event. The drivers licence grade determining the class.
The Road Going Series Production Car Class up to 2000cc (B Licence) has the current class record holder Adam Greenen in that super swift Honda Civic Type R. Tim Forster (Lotus Elan), Daniel Clazey (Ford Puma), Kevin Thomas (Clio 172 Cup) and the Ford Fiesta of Alex England will have to fight hard for second.
May 2016
The Road Going Series Production Car Class up to 2000cc (A Licence) sees Paul Webster (Mazda MX5) as the likely winner. Although Ken Williams (Lotus Elise) might well make Paul’s work for the win.
The Road Going Series Production Car Class over 2000cc (B Licence) should be interesting, Clive and Jennie Stangle’s and their Audi TT are favourites but with Andrew Thorp and his Porsche Cayman it might not be plain sailing.
The Road Going Series Production Car Class over 2000cc (A Licence) has just two entrants. Stephen Moore, the 2015 Gurston Down Champion, (Mitsubishi Evo 6) and another Evo 6 driven by Paul Harris. Based on current form, Stephen should grab the win.
The Road Going Specialist Production Car Class (B Licence) has five entrants. Jerry Neary’s Westfield Sei, Adrian Biggs’ Tiger Sports and Mark Parrett’s Autotune Gemini could be the winner here. This one really will be one decided on the day.
The Road Going Specialist Production Car Class (A Licence) has two Gurston regulars, Andrew Forsyth and Adrian Lewis in their Westfield’s up against Raymond Lohr and Joy Hoyle in their Caterham’s won’t be afraid to fight for the win and the points that go with that!
The Modified Series Production Car up to 1400cc Class has a good entry. James White, the current class record holder, and Neil Turner Mini’s have three other Minis, a G15 Ginetta (Andrew Russell) and an Opel Tigra (Ian Sargent) to play for the win. Form would suggest James…
The Modified Series Mini Class has just one entrant, Richard Wood and his Yamaha Mini. Will Richard be looking to improve his personal best? Of course he will, just like every other driver!
The Modified Series Production Car over 2000cc Class has three fabulous entries. The favourite is Mike Turpin in his Vauxhall VX220, which is quick. The TR7 V8 of Nigel Elliott and Peter Turnball’s 911 GT3 will be chasing all the way to the line.
The Modified Specialist Production Car Class has a huge entry, twelve drivers all in very different cars. Mike Rudge, Antony Orchard and Richie Gatt should be the front runners. But no-one can predict this class, it’s so competitive and always close.
The Historically Interesting Car Class has three beautifully presented cars, Fyrth Cross and the Dempster Ensign LNF3, Geoff Hunt’s Lotus 22 and Hugh Kemp’s Palliser WDF3. Fyrth has the form but in June it didn’t go all his way.
Derek Harris has the Hillclimb Super Sports Car Class to himself. So Derek will be chasing his personal best and the class record.
The Sports Libre Cars up to 2000cc Class has the BMW engined Citroen 2CV of Alexander De Vries up against a mountain of competition! Peter Sexton with the Force LM and Tim Pitfield (DJ Firecat) should be the top two in this class.
The Sports Libre Cars over 2000cc Class pits Nic Mann and his Mannic Beattie against Chris Cannell and Sue Hayes’s Force SR8, Keith Diggle’s WEV HCS, Geoff Tremlow’s Saker GT and Paul Punnett’s 6R4 Replica. The Manic Beattie is the likely victor here.
The Racing Car up to 600cc Class sees three drivers. These small and light 600cc cars are always great to watch. Will David Cuff, Les Buck or David Tatham take the honours?
The Racing Car 601cc to 1100cc Class has twenty drivers! Simon Fidoe is having a pretty good season and is “in form”. But there’s no way you can discount any of the other drivers. Last time, the top nine in this class were separated by just 1.5s!
The Formula Ford Car Class (up to 1600cc) has fifteen drivers entered. Roger Moran, the British Hill Climb Champion in 1997, shares a Swift FB91 with Sam Lester, Shaun Macklin, who’s best time in 2006 is 0.9s under the current class record and Paul O’Neill (ex BTCC) sharing Mark Alley’s similar Swift FB91 won’t have an easy time with both Simon McBeath and Tony Wiltshire running their Swifts. Who will win? Your guess is as good as ours!
FF fun at Gurston Down
The Racing Car 1101cc to 1600cc Class has nine entrants. The favourite has to be Ed Hollier who by all accounts is having a fantastic season! He’s currently seventh in the British Hill Climb Championship! We mustn’t discount anyone else but they will have an uphill battle to win this class!
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The Racing Car 1601cc to 2000cc Normally Aspirated Class has another great entry. Tim Elmer (Dallara F303), Tim Davies (Pilbeam MP88) and Terry Davies (OMS CF09 TKD) are all front runners here. This class will be decided by each driver’s performance on the day.
The Racing Car 1601cc to 2000cc Forced Induction Class sees Peter and Simon Marsh’s DJ Firehawk pitted against Simon Moyse’s Gould GR59 and Kelvin Broad’s Pilbeam MP101. Hill knowledge might take this class but the MP101 and the GR59 both have class winner drivers
The Racing Car Over 2000cc Class has just two entries. Jason Mourant and Alistair Crawford both running Gould GR55 although with different power should another great entry. Jason should be back after an off at Loton Park last month and Alistair hasn’t competed much this season so it will be good to see them both back!
The Sports and Racing Car up to 1971 Class has three drivers in two stunning cars entered. The Chevron B19 of Amanda and Richard George, and Brabham BT29X of Richard Jones are both gorgeous. No idea who will win.
The Sports and Racing Car up to 1985 Class brings more stunning cars out! The sound of Roger Dean’s 5000cc Lola T142 will get your attention every time it runs. If sound decided the win, then the Lola would have it. But, based on previous form, the win will probably be Stuart Ridge in his Pilbeam.
The MX5 Road Going Series Production Car Class has another good entry. Mark Crookall, who won the Tony Marsh Memorial Trophy in June, has his arch rival Dean Cubitt back from holiday! Nick Revels might be a threat, if he remembers to run his List 1B tyres this weekend.
The Modified Limited Production Marque Sports Car Class up to 2000cc sees Dee Stapley and her MGF up against Graham Beale’s Ginetta G20. Dee will probably be wishing the 64 feet time dictated the result but it doesn’t.
The Modified Limited Production Marque Sports Car Class over 2000cc sees Simon Purcell, the leader in the Gurston Down Championship and class record holder go up against the TVR Griffith of Steve Holley and the Datsun 240z of Steph Colvin and Hannah Stapley. Simon should take this class.
The Downton Engineering Social Club (DEWS) Class sees some great Minis and a few other cars entered. It’s probably going to be between Steve Harris’s Corsa and the Maguire Mini of Derek Kessell.
It’ll be another exciting weekend of Motorsport at Gurston Down Speed Hill Climb!
Anthony Record – Press Officer Gurston Down Speed Hill Climb – BARC SW
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 23rd (practice) and Sunday July 24th (race)
Times: Saturday Practice from 0830 until 1500 approx. Sunday 0830 Final Practice then timed runs from approx 1030, followed by first timed runs, then lunch and final timed runs from 13:00.
Admission: £10 for adults Sunday (£6 on Saturday), accompanied under 15s free, free paddock entry, free parking.
Jun 23, 2016
The Tony Marsh Memorial Weekend bought a fabulous array of cars and motorbikes to Gurston Down Speed Hill Climb last weekend.
The Tony Marsh Memorial Trophy is awarded this weekend to the BARC SW member who is nearest to or breaks their class record. If more than one record is broken, the largest improvement wins the trophy.
Mark Crookall won The Tony Marsh Memorial Trophy. He had the best improvement in a class record by a BARC SW member. The new class record for the Mazda MX5 Class is now 41.86, a 0.32s improvement. Well done Mark!
Sunday, the morning’s weather looked like it could be another promising days racing. However, the afternoon’s timed runs were mostly run with a damp and drying track.
Sunday’s Invited Classes:
The Morgan Car Class took to the hill first. Clive Hall’s 4/4 managed a great sub 40 second run turning in a 39.95s on his first timed run, holding off Alan Foster +8 by just 0.08s.
The Bugatti Owners Club Class had a huge variety of cars competing! Nick Stephens’ Lotus 51b took the win from his first timed run – 35.84s. The Brabham BT21c of Martin Jones came second on 36.18s. That Dodge Coronet of John Harrison managed a 48.76s second run which considering the size of the car was great! John wasn’t afraid to make some proper tyre smoke between Karousel and Ashes – check the gallery for pictures.
The Service Hydraulics Speed Championship Class ran next. Dave Reed and his Westfield won again but he could not match his previous days time and ended on a 40.10s.
The Road Going MX5 Class was won by Mark Crookall with a new record – 41.86s and the Tony Marsh Memorial Award!
The long standing record in the Up to 2000cc Road Going Series Production Car Class looked like it would be beaten by a good margin after some great practice times by Adam and Andy Greenen. The weather conditions in the afternoon for the timed runs didn’t look good enough for that to happen, But we should never say never. Adam pulled a fabulous run beating the record by just one hundredth! It now stands at 37.26s. Andy came second and Paul Webster third.
Stephen Moore, last year’s Gurston Down Champion, was again dominant in the Over 2000cc Road Going Series Production Car Class with a 33.87s run just 0.01 slower than Saturday’s winning run. Jennie Stangle improved her time by a second in the Audi TT and took second place ahead of Simon Neve in his spare car (Mitsubishi Lancer GSR 1.8).
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Clive Skipper and Adrian Lewis both fought hard for the Road Going Specialist Production Car Class. Clive Skipper and his 2.0 Caterham HPC repeated their win (36.41s). Adrian Lewis in his 1.4 Westfield Megabusa and the rest of the class just couldn’t match Clive’s pace.
The Modified Limited Production Marque Sports Cars up to 2000cc Class saw Graham Beale and his Ginetta G20 turn the tables on Mike Tooth and his Lotus Elise. Graham’s second run came in at 39.76s, more than half a second ahead of Mike’s time.
Simon Purcell in his Lotus Exige won the Over 2000cc Modified Production Marque Sports Car Class. But he couldn’t match the previous days time as the conditions weren’t really good enough. His second and winning run was 35.26s. Steve Holley’s TVR came second on 37.77s.
Neil Turner and the Mini Cooper S were in form this weekend. Neil took the up to 1400cc Modified Series Production Car Class. But Derek Mullis was leading but just 0.06s after the first timed run. Neil managed a 36.90s second timed run.
Richard Wood and the Yamaha Mini had a good day too. His times were only 0.04s different between the two timed runs in the Modified Series Mini Class.
Kevin Plummer and Ian Plummer went head to head again in their shared Opel Corsa in the 1400 to 2000cc Modified Series Production Class. Kevin winning again with a 37.85s first run.
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Tim Painter over-turned Saturday’s result in the shared Aston Martin Vantage. He won the the Over 2000cc Modified Series Production Sports Car Class beating Mark Walker, Mike Butler, Brendon Jones and Andrew Fraser. Tim’s time was 36.28s.
Mike Rudge, Anthony Orchard, Martin Watson and Steve Holland all had some amazing second runs in the Modified Specialist Production Car Class. The first timed runs saw Mike over two seconds ahead of the rest of the class. But the second class runs saw the first five beat the previous class leading time. Mike won, on the final run in the class, with a 32.25 in his 2.3 Westfield Sei, just 0.32s ahead of Anthony Orchard. The first four in this class were covered by just over one second.
Fyrth Crosse and the Dempster Ensign LNF3 couldn’t repeat their Saturday performance in the Historically Interesting Class. Hugh Kemp and the Palliser WDF3 lead the class from the first timed run and didn’t look back. He ended on a 35.99s. Fyrth Crosse came second, half a second adrift.
The Hill Climb Super Sports Class saw the Mallock Mk20b shared by John and Jonathon Weeden run. Jonathon cut John’s commanding first timed run lead to just 1.5s with a great second run but it wasn’t good enough. John took the win with a 39.35s run.
Jonathan Gates had a reversal of fortunes on Sunday, beating Pete Sexton in the up to 2000cc Sports Libre Class. Jonathan ended on a 29.97s which was Fastest Time of the Day in their shared Force LM.
The Manic Beattie and Nic Mann came and conquered on Sunday, pushing Chris Cannell and his Force SR8 into second place in the Over 2000cc Sports Libre Class. Jeffrey Way’s Camaro sounded great but was no match for the other cars in this class! Nic finished the day with a 30.17s second run.
David Cuff had the up to 600cc Racing Car Class, to himself again. ending the day with a small improvement over his first timed run – 36.99s
James Moore and the Empire 00 won the 601cc to 1100cc Racing Car class with a second timed run of 31.68s. It just wasn’t anyone else’s weekend in this class.
With a second timed run of 37.72, Simon McBeath and his Swift SC92F won the Formula Ford Class. His margin was reduced a tiny bit over Saturday’s results.
Peter D Smith couldn’t match Saturday’s performance but he did win the 1101cc to 1600cc Racing Car Class. His time was 31.03s. Pete Hammock coming in second.
Simon was on form on Sunday, beating his brother Peter in the 1601cc to 2000cc Racing Car – Forced Induction class. Simon’s second timed run was 30.54s almost a second and a half ahead of his brother.
The Tony Marsh Memorial Weekend was a great two days of motorsport. With cars and bikes competing, there was something for everyone!
We would like to thank everyone who made the day possible, the office staff, the marshalls, 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.
Next Meeting July 23rd and 24th – See you there!
Anthony Record – Gurston Down Press Officer – BARC SW
