Historics star at packed Shelsley

By James Page

| 19 Aug 2015

Modern competitors in the British Hillclimb Championship were joined by a special invitation class at Shelsley Walsh on 15-16 August. The category celebrated 110 years of the Worcestershire venue, and showcased cars from each decade up to the 1990s.

Mac Hulbert was as quick as ever in ERA R4D (below), which boasts an illustrious history on the hill in the hands of figures such as Raymond Mays and Ken Wharton – and that despite the fact that the Gloucestershire-based racer has decided to sell the famous voiturette.

Richard Wiseman’s superb 1925 Gnat sadly failed on its second run on Sunday, but Mike Gibbs impressed aboard the Becke Powerplus. Andy Storer demonstrated Alec Issigonis’ Lightweight Special, and Martin Spencer showed great pace with Spider II.

Former hillclimb champion David Franklin was entrusted with Peter Neumark’s Jaguar XKSS (above), while Amanda George pipped her father Richard following an impressive run in their sublime Chevron B19.

Familiar names from the past included Chris Cramer – champion in 1985, the first time that a Gould chassis had triumphed. Rodney Eyles was present, too, the crisp note from his Pilbeam MP58’s DFV engine evoking memories of early 1990s hillclimbing.

Others to take part included local man Keith Harris, as impressive as ever in getting comfortably under the 30-second barrier in his Chevron B25, and various members of the Hepworth family – with Stephen and Andrew being entrusted with the ear-splitting Hepworth 4WD (below) that was driven in period by David.

In the main programme, Richard Jones set a new pre-1971 best of 28.85 secs with his Brabham BT29X, and the hugely experienced Stuart Ridge broke the 1972-1985 record with a time of 26.72 secs in his Pilbeam MP53.

There was also a strong entry from the 500 Owners’ Association, topped by Jan Nycz in his Staride Mk111 with a time of 39.28 secs.

Fastest Time of the Day was set by championship leader Alex Summer, with a stunning morning run of 23.05 secs. Scott Moran, who shares the Gould with Summers, took the afternoon honours with 23.14 secs.

Perhaps more impressive was Moran’s morning time of 23.60 secs, set after a long delay following a huge shunt from which Will Hall thankfully emerged unscathed. Having been up to Bottom Ess to have a look for himself, Moran was fully committed despite the high-speed approach still being dusty.

James Page

James Page is a regular contributor to – and former Editor of – Classic & Sports Car