Tag: British Hillclimb Championship

British Hillclimb Championship postpones 2024 season-opener

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.

“Considering the importance of this event being the opening round of both the British and Midland Hill Climb Championships and having assessed the ground conditions in conjunction with the long-range weather forecast, we felt there was no choice other than to postpone the meeting.
“The new rescheduled date has been set for 17th & 18th August. All Competitors and General Admission ticket holders have automatically been transferred to this new date and notified directly of this change.”
For more information on the British Hillclimb Championship presented by Nova Motorsport, visit https://www.britishhillclimb.co.uk/.

Nova Motorsport signs five-year deal with British Hillclimb Championship

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.

Jack Price, Product Category Manager at Nova Motorsport, said: “Hillclimbing holds a very special place in the hearts of everyone at Nova Motorsport.

“We are honoured to uphold the legacy of Avon Motorsport and continue its support for the Motorsport UK British Hillclimb Championship with the announcement of Nova Motorsport as the title sponsor of the series for five years.

“This partnership not only reaffirms Nova Motorsport’s dedication to the sport; it also underscores our mission to provide the highest quality products and services to drivers and teams competing at the highest level.”

Tim Wilson, Championship Co-ordinator of the British Hillclimb Championship, added: “Nova Motorsport’s commitment to the Motorsport UK British Hillclimb Championship is instrumental in helping us to drive towards a bright future for the sport.

“We are delighted to collaborate with a company that shares our passion for excellence and innovation.”

Wallace Menzies clinches historic fourth consecutive British Hillclimb title

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. 

Wallace Menzies retains British Hillclimb title, Championship reveals 2023 calendar

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

BARC publishes COVID-19 guidelines for Competitors and Officials

With the restart to racing in the UK now well underway the British Automobile Racing Club has updated its guidelines on how events will be run for both Competitors and Officials.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it is necessary to adjust some of our practices and procedures in order to satisfy the requirements laid down by the government and most importantly to provide the safest environment possible for everyone involved.

In line with the guidance provided by Motorsport UK, the BARC will operate their race meetings as follows:-

BARC Competitors Guidance (v3 21 July) – CLICK HERE

BARC Officials Guidance (v2 22 July) – CLICK HERE

These guidelines have been put in place with the well-being of staff, competitors, officials and all potential visitors to our venues and events remaining at the forefront of our considerations at all times.

As it stands, all race meetings and events remain provisional and subject to change in accordance with the latest directives from the UK government.

To view the remaining post-lockdown 2021 events schedule, head to https://www.barc.net/events/.

British Hillclimb Championship elects to cancel 2020 season

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.