The Channel Islands rounds at Bouley Bay in Jersey and Val des Terres in Guernsey provide a crucial kick-start to the second half of the British Hillclimb Championship presented by Nova Motorsport. The 2026 season is shaping up to be an all-time classic, with three drivers sharing the run-off wins in the fight for the title.

Those venturing south were rewarded with vital points and the chance to experience two very unique hills on the calendar. First came the stop-start amphitheatre of Bouley Bay in Trinity, followed by the fast and flowing, pavement-surfing challenge of Val des Terres in St Peter Port. Both place very different demands on car set-up on the closed-road hills.

Scotsman Wallace Menzies was untouchable on the recent visit to the Channel Islands. The Gould driver claimed all four run-offs in Jersey and Guernsey and twice bettered his own hill record at Val des Terres to claim another two bonus points. Forty-two out of a possible 44 points from the two southerly rounds. It’s game on in the title race!

There was no separating Matt Ryder and Will Hall heading into the island double-header and, guess what… after another four rounds, they are still tied at the top of the championship leaderboard. Defending champion Ryder was quickest out of the blocks at both venues, securing second place in the opening run-off on each island, before Hall responded with second place in the second run-off at both events.

It really is a case of me and my shadow for the pair, who now have 158 points apiece heading to Wiscombe, with Wallace now right on their heels. The number two seed started his voyage to Jersey 14 points in arrears. Now he is just six behind as the boat docks back in the UK from Guernsey.

Dave Uren, who had previously not enjoyed his trips across the water, can be pleased with his 2026 efforts. Three fourth-place finishes and an eighth provided valuable points as he closes in on a top-four finish in the series, with Trevor Willis now only six points up the road.

For Willis, the Bouley Bay record holder, a cancelled ferry meant the OMS driver had to follow the Jersey proceedings from afar before rejoining the championship contingent in Guernsey. His 11-point haul could prove crucial as he sits fourth in the standings. Alex Summers was also affected by the cancellation and could only give his P8T single-seater a Guernsey debut.

He matched Trevor’s points tally in what has been one of the best weekends for the former champion in the menacing black self-built machine. He moves into the top ten in the standings despite his part-season campaign.

The Channel Islands rounds give local competitors a national platform to compete against the best drivers in the UK. What they might lack in seat time, they make up for by knowing their home hills like the back of their hands.

Steve Brehaut was the local driver to watch. The Guernseyman collected nine points in Jersey before going one better on home soil to deliver one of the drives of the day, taking his Empire to fourth overall and narrowly missing out on a podium. Michael Salmon also shone on his home event in Jersey, recording a pair of fifth-place finishes and a new personal best at Bouley Bay to boot.

Nick Saunders, Glyn Moignard and Matthew Bougourd also chalked up points on home roads, much to the delight of the local fans. Enjoying the trip across the English Channel, Nicola Menzies, David Warburton and Darren Gumbley will also be pleased with their points haul.

Alex Coles ventured to Val des Terres for the first time and qualified for both run-offs, but mastering the unique nature of the hill proved essential to scoring points. A valuable year of learning will do the young Englishman the world of good ahead of 2027. Paul Haimes was back in Guernsey after a strong season to date, but leaving empty-handed will have been a disappointment. Accidents also hampered the chances of breakthrough points for Michael Salmon and Paul Jones in Jersey.

The series now docks back in the UK before heading south-west to Wiscombe Park, the next stop on the British Hillclimb Championship calendar, this weekend (25–26 July).

Photo Credit – Paul Lawrence