The Tin Top Challenge has quickly established itself as one of the most exciting additions to the British hillclimbing scene. Introduced as part of the British Hillclimb Championship programme, the series was created to showcase the fastest and most spectacular production-based cars competing on the UK’s iconic hills as well as providing an entry point for those starting out in the point-to-point sport.

While single-seater and sports-racing machinery remain the pinnacle of the sport, the Tin Top Challenge provides a highly accessible and relatable platform for competitors and spectators alike.

The format sees the fastest tin-top competitors qualify for a dedicated Top Ten run-off after each class run, creating an additional competitive element and ensuring close, entertaining battles throughout the season. The challenge takes place at selected rounds of the championship and this weekend at Doune the series gets underway.

A Natural Entry Point

Few people understand the appeal of hillclimbing better than six-time British Hill Climb Champion Scott Moran. Speaking about the Tin Top Challenge, Moran believes one of its greatest strengths is the accessibility it offers competitors.

“You enter the British Hillclimb Cup, which is the class-based championship, and when you do that, if you’ve got a tin top, you tick the box and say, ‘I’d like to be involved with that.’ It doesn’t cost any more.”

The simplicity of the process means competitors can enjoy an additional competitive opportunity without extra financial barriers. For many drivers, the attraction lies in challenging those in similar cars as well as fighting to earn a second chance to compete for honours during the day.

Cars People Can Relate To

One of the key reasons for the challenge’s success is that spectators immediately connect with the machinery. While the outright British Championship is dominated by highly specialised single-seater racing cars capable of astonishing performances, production-based cars often resonate more strongly with fans.

Moran notes: “People can relate to saloon cars. Obviously, the single-seaters, everybody says, ‘Yeah, they’re awesome and brilliant,’ which they are. But people don’t know how to get into those.”

The Tin Top Challenge helps bridge that gap. Many competitors begin their hillclimbing careers in production-based cars before progressing through the sport, making the series an ideal showcase of the pathway available to newcomers.

“Most people start in either a saloon car or something like a Caterham and work their way up.”

Growing Competition

Since its introduction, the challenge has attracted some of the quickest closed-wheel hillclimb machinery in the country. Drivers such as Simon Bainbridge, Damien Bradley and Steven Darley have become leading figures in the category, campaigning everything from highly developed Audi and Subaru-based machines to record-breaking hillclimb specials.

The championship’s popularity has grown rapidly. Bainbridge secured consecutive Tin Top Challenge titles in 2024 and 2025, while Bradley won the inaugural championship in 2023, demonstrating the high level of competition that now exists within the series.

Events regularly feature an eclectic mix of machinery, including Subaru Imprezas, Mitsubishi Evos, Toyota Yaris’ Porsche GT cars and bespoke hillclimb specials derived from production vehicles. The resulting variety creates some of the most entertaining competition of any category within British hillclimbing.

Good for the Sport

Ultimately, Moran sees the Tin Top Challenge as a valuable addition to British hillclimbing as a whole.

“It’s just another aspect which I think is going to be good for the sport all round and Dad (Roger) and I are really behind it and we want to encourage as many people into it and support this great initiative.”

That sentiment reflects the challenge’s broader purpose. By providing a home for production-based cars, creating extra competition for existing competitors and offering spectators machinery they instantly recognise, the Tin Top Challenge has become an important part of the modern British Hillclimb Championship.

For competitors looking to take their first steps into the sport—or for fans who enjoy seeing familiar cars pushed to extraordinary limits – the Tin Top Challenge represents exactly what hillclimbing does best: accessible, exciting motorsport delivered on some of Britain’s most historic and demanding courses. First up is Doune in Scotland this weekend.

British Hillclimb Championship – Tin Top Challenge

20/21 June – Doune
4/5 July – Harewood
25/26 July – Wiscombe Park
8/9 August – Shelsley Walsh
19/20 September – Prescott