Tag: British Hillclimb Championship

The 2025 British Hillclimb Championship presented by Nova Motorsport is one of the quickest and most intense series on the British Automobile Racing Club roster. With four-litre V8 single-seater monsters pushing out 700bhp, fighting for hundredths of a second at 10 different hills across the British Isles – the championship is like F1 down a garden path!

Matt Ryder fulfilled a family dream last season by claiming his first domestic title after a season-long battle with rival and friend Alex Summers. Carrying the number one on his Gould GR59 into 2025 – the number one seed speaks to the BARC about his title triumph and what we can look forward to in 2025.

Thank you for joining us Matt – Let’s start with last year. 2024 was a bit special wasn’t it!

“Winning the title last year was an unbelievable feeling. I have grown up with hillclimbing and been around it all my life as my Mum and Dad both competed or have been involved in the sport so in 2024, it was very special – to lift the pinnacle title in the sport in this country in only my third year in the ‘big cars’. The year was so intense, not going to lie, it was a long hard effort, but it’s something I will never forget!”

Hilclimbing was always going to the end destination then? What does it take to be at the top?

“I didn’t really start driving in hillclimbing. We actually took some time away from it when I was younger. I did karting and then a bit of circuit racing in things like Formula Jedi – so I did have some single-seater experience before coming to the hills again in the smaller-engined cars.

“Some people are veterans and have been up these hills so many times they know every lump, bump and surface change – so it is nice to compete against them. It might not be the most physical form of motorsport as people go ‘ how can you get tired after 4-5 runs at 30-60 seconds in length – but because of the speeds and intensity it’s one of the most mentally draining forms of motorsport in my opinion. Having to get it all right in such a small space and short time period needs everything to go right. I have shared a run-off win with someone else as we have matched times to the hundredth of a second – it’s that close!”

The calendar for 2025 features all the classic hills once more and we start off at one of the best – Prescott. You’re the record holder, so you know it well?

“I love Prescott – it’s my home hill. What I like about it is, that it;s quite technical with a few tight hairpins, which you need to get right to get good exits in order to open up the power quickly. In the bigger cars – traction is vitally important to use all the power at your disposal. My favourite part is the final third of the hill. Into a fast chicane – big commitment there picks you up lots of time.

“I got the hill record last season – but also you know what don’t know how at the same time – it wasn’t the cleanest of runs – it was a little scrappy in places. There is plenty more time to be had in the bottom half. The second half however was a special feeling – the car was dancing and I really could use all the power through the chicane and esses – it just felt like you were on the knife edge of grip.”

New season – now you go from hunted to hunter – who will want the top spot from you?

New year, new challenges – I don’t know who will be there come the end of the year. You will have the regular guys, but also some local drivers to certain hills – especially when you get to like the Channel Islands. Wallace [Menzies] is the man to beat before any season – super consistent, quick car and very good driver – he is the one everyone wants to aim at. Alex Summers sadly won’t be doing a full season – but wherever he turns up he will be super quick. Will Hall is getting quicker and quicker and could get onto a roll. Trevor Willis on the right day and right hill will be untouchable, I could keep going on!

There are so many locations and so much variety – talk us through some of your favourites…

“I am looking forward to Prescott – it’s always close to my heart, the atmosphere there is great and it is my home round. I also like Wiscombe Park in Devon. I had the best weekend of hillclimbing there previously. I took 1.2 seconds off my best time throughout the weekend and clinched the record as well.

“Shelsley Walsh is always so magical because of its history. The emotion and pressure is right up there because it’s the ‘home’ of hillclimbing in this country. For 22 or so seconds you have to show what you can do and deliver if you want to be near the front. The car has to be on rails as you fit the car between hedges and banks!

“The most extreme is Doune in Scotland. There is nothing quite like it. You have to be nutty to be at the very front there. Your life flashes before your eyes up as you have no time to think, with no margin for error. Makes Shelsley feel like a race circuit!

“They are all special and I like the characteristics of them all – going over to Northern Ireland and the Channel Islands – all three hills are very different and all offer different road surfaces compared to the English hills.”

Carrying the number one is something everybody wants to do. How does that feel – feel any pressure?

“We used it at a warm up event at Loton Park earlier in the year, it’s an amazing feeling to carry the number one. I get to use that on all the hills I enter this year – which is an honour.”

“As to pressure – think there was more getting to this stage – but it might be different when defending it this season. I think it can be a massive help as you get to run last in the class running order when trying to qualify for the top 12 run-offs. You get to see everyone go up before you so you can manage your own performance a little better, as you know the pace and also the minimum time you need to qualify. Also if you see the record broken – it gives you every confidence to know that it’s possible!”

Matt Ryder will begin his 2025 British Hillclimb Championship presented by Nova Motorsport title defence at Prescott this weekend (26/27 April). The series features 30 rounds across England, Northern Ireland, Jersey and Guernsey with the championship decided at Loton Park in September.

More information can be found at www.britishhillclimb.co.uk

The British Automobile Racing Club can announce that AET Turbos have been named as title sponsors of the BHC Tin Top – Top Ten Challenge.

Formed in 1974, the company – which is a major provider of remanufactured and re-engineered turbochargers – is celebrating its 50th Anniversary this year and will mark the occasion by partnering with the popular series.

“We are delighted to have AET Turbos on board as partner and title sponsor of the 2024 BHC Tin Top – Top Ten Challenge,” said Tim Wilson, British Hillclimb Championship Co-ordinator.

“Due to its popularity with both competitors and spectators, we have increased the Tin Top – Top Ten Challenge to five events for the season ahead. With events spread across the country at many of the top UK Hillclimb venues, this season should be very exciting. We look forward to working in partnership with AET over the coming months and years ahead.”

Andy Taylor, Managing Director of AET Turbos, added: “After supporting 2023 BHC Tin Top – Top Ten Challenge winner Damien Bradley and Team Legacy for a number of years, the next logical step for us is to support the Championship.

“The AET Turbos team look forward to offering our advice and servicing to competitors and supporters of the BHC, BHC Cup and the world of Hillclimbing in general in 2024 and for many seasons ahead.”

The opening round of the BHC Tin Top – Top Ten Challenge takes place at Harewood Hillclimb in Yorkshire on July 6/7.

The British Hillclimb Championship presented by Nova Motorsport has announced that its opening rounds of the 2024 season at Prescott have been postponed due to extreme wet weather.

Originally scheduled to take place on April 20/21, the recent torrential rain that has battered large parts of the United Kingdom has made it unviable for the meeting to proceed as planned.

With Prescott being moved back to a later date in the season, the 2024 campaign will now commence in Northern Ireland at Craigantlet on Saturday 4th May.

“We appreciate this decision will cause disappointment, but would like to reassure everyone that it has not been taken lightly,” read a statement from championship organisers.

Nova Motorsport has announced the signing of a landmark five-year strategic partnership with the Motorsport UK British Hillclimb Championship, which has in-turn secured the future of the premier hillclimb series in the United Kingdom.

Inspired by heritage and dedicated to technical excellence, Nova Motorsport has acquired the assets of Avon Motorsport from Cooper Tire – who have been long-term tyre suppliers for the championship.

Supported by BMTR, that partnership is set to continue moving forward this year with Nova Motorsport committing themselves as official tyre suppliers and also developing new products for the future.

Wallace Menzies continued his reign in the Motorsport UK British Hillclimb Championship presented by Avon Tyres this year after wrapping up a fourth consecutive title at Prescott at the start of the month (September 2/3).

Having been the benchmark in the prestigious series over the course of the last three seasons, the Gould GR59M driver third and fourth place run-off finishes at the Gloucestershire venue to clinch the coveted crown with a round to spare. 

Menzies’ championship triumph also saw him join a very elite club too as he became the first person since Ken Wharton in 1951 to 1954 to win the title four years on the bounce. 

Commenting on his title success, Menzies said: “You can’t win the Championship in a weekend, but you can definitely lose it in a weekend. We had to hang onto Scott’s shirt tails these last two weekends, just to make sure. 

“To win one British Hillclimb Championship title was amazing and fantastic; so this will take some time to sink in.”

The British Hillclimb Championship now moves onto its final round, which takes place at Loton Park in Shropshire, over the weekend of the 23/24 September. 

The Motorsport UK British Hillclimb Championship presented by Avon Tyres signed off its 2022 season in style in late September with Wallace Menzies successfully retaining his title following a thrilling finale at Loton Park.

Bringing the curtain down on a season that saw high drama, the emergence of new talent and numerous hill records smashed, Menzies held his nerve to join an exclusive club of drivers to win three titles in consecutive years.

Following a sensational, season-long battle for supremacy, the destiny of the coveted crown went down to the wire with both Menzies and perennial protagonist Alex Summers in contention. 

The first of two run-offs at the Shropshire venue saw its fair share of thrills as Summers threaded his DJ Firestorm Cosworth XD around the course. Looking good against the stopwatch, a small mistake late on the run saw the multiple runner-up lose vital time.

With one hand on the title, Menzies produced a virtuoso performance behind the wheel of his Gould GR59M to score victory by nearly half a second and with it, ensured the number one stays on his machine for next year.

For those wishing to view the full race report from the 2022 season finale, click here.

“To secure a hat-trick of BHC Championships is beyond my wildest dreams,” said Menzies. “My team of Tom, Duncan and Russ have been absolutely key to the success that we have achieved over the past few years. 

“The car has been absolutely bullet proof, which is down to them and their attention to detail. After the first round at Prescott I was firmly on the back foot. With Alex starting the season so well and Scott and Matt being in the picture too, it took until after the Channel Island rounds for me to open up a small gap at the top; even then I could not blink at any stage.”

In addition to closing out its campaign, organisers of the Motorsport UK British Hillclimb Championship presented by Avon Tyres has also announced a provisional 2023 calendar.

Comprising of 30 rounds across ten venues, the championship will visit some of the best hillclimb courses across the length and breadth of the UK whilst also making trips off the mainland to Northern Ireland, Jersey and Guernsey.

British Hillclimb Championship – Provisional 2023 Calendar

April 22/23 – Prescott

April 29 – Craigantlet

May 7 – Harewood

May 27/28 – Gurston Down

June 3/4 – Shelsley Walsh

June 17/18 – Doune

July 1/2 – Harewood

July 19 – Bouley Bay

July 22 – Val des Terres

July 29/30 – Wiscombe Park

August 12/13 – Shelsley Walsh

August 26/27 – Loton Park

September 2/3 – Prescott

September 23/24 – Loton Park

The British Hillclimb Championship has taken the difficult decision to postpone the 2020 season due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Originally scheduled to stage 34 rounds at 11 different venues over the course of the year, the series had been working alongside venues and Motorsport UK on staging a foreshortened season which would take place starting in August, running at five venues over seven weekend’s.

However, recent announcements from the Bugatti Owners’ Club and Prescott Hill has meant that neither the British Hillclimb Championship presented by Avon Tyres or the British Hillclimb Cup presented by Footman James will proceed.

A statement from organisers read: “Clearly this decision was not taken lightly and we have listened to the opinions of the venues and the competitors, who rightly have concerns about safety, before deciding it was better not to continue to try to run a championship this year.

“We will now start plans for 2021 and it is our intention to revise and invigorate the Championship and to implement some changes that will take the Championship forward for another 75 years.

“For any competitor who has registered for the Championships we offer the option of leaving your entry intact, and this will be carried forward to next season regardless of any pricing alterations that may come into effect during that year.”

Competitors are encouraged to contact the British Hillclimb Championship Administrator Jackie Wilson via jackie@britishhillclimb.co.uk.