Harewood Hillclimb - Race Reports

British Championship Hillclimb

Tue, 6 Jul 2010 16:23 GMT

The weekend of 3/4th July saw the British Championship return to our Yorkshire Hillclimb venue for the second time this season. Heading into the weekend with all guns blazing, metaphorically of course, the main runners in the championship, as well as our band of Harewood regulars, were set for a tough yet exciting round of the championship.

After practice runs on Saturday, Sunday was a day focused on the main event, with two timed runs followed by the Top 12 Run-Off.

British Championship front-runner, Martin Groves soared up the hill, recording a new record on his way to the quickest time of the day, with a time of 49.13 seconds. Just behind Groves were the Moran duo, with Scott getting the better of father Roger.

Harewood regular Sarah Cordingley became number one driver in the Cordingley Radical, after father Dale recently had an operation on his wrist. Sarah's best time came on her second run, with a time of 57.74 seconds.

Despite the weather looking like it could go either way during the day on Sunday, the strong winds fought off the rain, to give us yet another dry day. The weather really is favouring us so far this season, and we hope it continues until our final round in September.

The next round at Harewood is on the 7th August, with the Yorkshire Speed Hillclimb event kicking off August's action.

Jim Thomson Trophy Meeting

Thu, 10 Jun 2010 15:16 GMT

The second meeting of June was the Jim Thomson Trophy Meeting on Sunday 6th, with everyone making the trip to Harewood for another round of the Harewood Championship as well.

A wet day saw the rain play a part in providing the perfect spectacle for our spectators, while our competitors enjoyed another strong meeting.

In the Harewood Championship standings, Paul Martin is still in control, now with 40.09 points, whilst Vini Dobson has quietly crept up on him into second with 48.17 points. After three rounds of the 2010 championship, Kenny Brookes is currently lying third, meanwhile Henry Moorhouse has been demoted from second to fourth for the time being. Steve Mitchell currently rounds out the top five, while the remainder of the top ten sees Daniel Hollis, Dale Cordingley, Clive Lightburn, Tracey Taylor-West and Mark Teale battle it out for position.

In terms of the FTD Championship from last Sunday, John Chacksfield set the quickest time, followed by Peter Newton and Colin Birkbeck.

The next round at Harewood is on the 3rd and 4th July, with the British Championship making their second appearance of the year, as they battle it out to reach the top.

We look forward to seeing you all there, hopefully while enjoying some glorious summer sunshine.

Classic and Vintage Meeting

Thu, 10 Jun 2010 14:28 GMT

The 5th June saw the prestigious Classic and Vintage meeting take place at Harewood Hillclimb, as a varied array of cars and drivers flocked to the Yorkshire venue. Always a popular event, the mixture of machines ready to take on the challenge of our hill was a sight to behold, as the meeting got underway for another year.

As well as the ever popular Vintage Sports Car Club (VSCC) in attendance, many other clubs showed up, to show their support. The Austin 7 club was out in force, together with the usual mix of Aston Martins, MG's and Fraser Nash machines, to name just a few. Colin Danks, in his Austin 7 rolled to the top of his class (the Pre-war Austin Seven Class) in the Bert Hadley Track Championship, riding to first position with a quickest time of 78.86 seconds, while Stewart Arkley dominated Road Championship.

In terms of the FTD for the Classic competitors, it was Jolyon Harrison, in his Brabham BT30, who recorded the quickest time. Meanwhile, the Vintage FTD was awarded to James Baxter, who steered his Fraser Nash 3571cc machine to the privilege.

After a number of runs each, it was another successul year for our Classic and Vintage professionals, as they ended yet another exciting outing at Harewood. Same time next year? Sounds good to us.

May British Championship Hillclimb

Wed, 12 May 2010 22:50 GMT

Sunday 9th May saw the MSA fraternity make their first visit of the season to our Harewood Speed Hillclimb, and everyone was geared up for the event. With the sights of sounds of the venue being filled with some of the best single-seaters in Hillclimbing it was looking to be another good event for the championship and the venue.

After each competitor enjoyed three timed runs throughout the day, the stage was set for the first Top 12 Run Off of the meeting. As ever it was the usual suspects grasping the limelight, each eager to take the fastest time and hang onto their championship hopes.

Scott Moran set the quickest time around the course, soaring up the hill in 50.70 seconds, just ahead of one of his chief rivals Martin Groves, who set a time of 50.87 seconds; a time just inches away from the top spot.

Next up it was familiar face and Sott's father, Roger Moran, who set a time of 51.84 seconds in his Gould GR61X.

From here it was a similar sight to previous events, with some familiar names taking to the Top 12 timing sheet. Trevor Willis, Deryk Young, Chris Merrick, all featured in the subsequent positions, each setting times in the 51 seconds landmark. The remainder of the Top 12 saw the likes of Richard Spedding, Eynon Price, Tom New and Steve Owen, who all put in a sterling performance to enhance their afternoon.

May Open Hillclimb

Wed, 12 May 2010 22:25 GMT

Well, it's May already and our May meetings have been and gone. First up it was the May Open Hillclimb, which took place Saturday 8th May, and as ever was a day to be enjoyed by all.

After this second round of the Harewood Championship it is Paul Martin who holds the prominent position at the top of the standings. After gaining 19.06 points from the first round back in April, Martin added to that tally with a 19.44 from last Saturday, giving him a grand total of 38.50 after two rounds.

A familiar face in Henry Moorhouse is currently lying second in the championship table, not far behind Martin with 37.28 points, while Mark Teale has steered his Class 1B Road modified sports and saloon machine to third place, with a score of 37.07 from two rounds.

There are nine rounds of the Harewood Championship in total throughout the season and there is still a long way to go, but at the moment it's rather close at the top.

Everyone will be keen to take charge at the top of the table, with many of our regulars returning this year ready to take on the challenge. With Sunday 9th May making way for the first MSA meeting of the season at Harewood, the Harewood Championship returns to action next month on the 6th June, with the Jim Thomson Hillclimb meeting.

Spring National 2010

Thu, 15 Apr 2010 22:12 GMT

The first round of the season kicked off in style as ever at Harewood Speed Hillclimb last weekend, with Sunday showcasing the 2010 Spring National meeting.

William Hall was the man to beat, stealing the fastest time of the day, with a quickest time of 52.11 seconds. Joining him in the 52 second times were second fastest Eynon Price, with a 52.41, closely followed by Richard Spedding, soaring up the hill in 52.41 seconds.

After the two timed runs during the day the event was cut short due to an incident. In terms of the FTD Championship, Clive Lightburn walked away as the championship leader, heading David Grey to the privilege. Richard Pope has taken route in third, with Dale Cordingley fourth after the first round. Iain Davidson currently holds fifth place in the FTD Championship, whilst Dale's daughter Sarah occupies sixth. Ed Carter, Les Procter, Graham Smith and Kenny Brookes completed the top ten.

In terms of the Harewood Championship, Richard Vale rose to the challenge, taking the championship lead after the first round. Paul Henry is close behind in second, while Harewood regular Henry Moorhouse is settled in third place.

The next event at Harewood Hillclimb is on the 8/9th May, with the MSA fraternity making their first visit of the year to the venue on the Sunday of that meeting. Something not to be missed!

Practice Day

Mon, 29 Mar 2010 22:42 GMT

Practice Day 2010. The sun was shining, surprisingly. The wind was blowing, strongly. But the stage was set for another good start to our season here at Harewood Speed Hillclimb. With the weather working in our favour, for a change, it made for a lovely day at the Hill.

With a full entry list of 60 cars it was unknown whether everyone who intended to turn up actually would turn up on the day, but it wasn't a bad turn out. It was great to see the regulars, many of them turning up with their familiar cars in tow, but it was also nice to see the usual suspects accompanied by new, and somewhat interesting machinery.

One entry in particular that was eagerly anticipated was Karl Jackson is his new supercharged Ariel Atom, something which I'm sure will be a favourite among the spectators during 2010.

Despite the event not being part of the championship, the timing system was still in play throughout the day, giving everyone an impression of what to expect from the coming season. To find out more, please have a look at our 'Results' section for the Practice Day times.

It is now just two weeks until the first official round of our season, and we are very much looking forward to seeing you all out in force on Sunday 11th April to get our season into gear in fine fashion.

Mike Wilson Memorial 20th September, 2009

Wed, 23 Sep 2009 23:02 GMT

For Sunday's event, and keeping with what seemed to be the theme of the season, there were more familiarities at the top of the timing sheets. Saturday's quickest duo of Spedding and Jenkins gracefully traded places for Sunday, giving Jenkins the Fastest Time of the Day, with a 53.21 seconds.

There was an array of well-known names just behind, with Jason Mourant stealing third, having progressed on his fourth fastest time the previous day, heading John Chacksfield and Piers Thynne. Not far behind, Dave Banner, Sandra Tomlin, Iain Davidson, Len Amy and George Bleasdale recorded the remaining fastest times within the top ten, which they each achieved within their three times runs.

With the season now drawn to a close the championship scores are in, and, despite being provisional at the moment, Richard Spedding has risen to the forefront of the FTD Championship, while David Sturdy has provisionally secured the premium spot in the Harewood Championship.

All in all it was another successful weekend at Harewood Hillclimb, and a superlative way to end what has been an exciting season. We are all very much looking forward to 2010 already and we look forward to seeing you all out and about at the Hill.

Photograph: Full Frame Photographic

Greenwood Cup 19th September, 2009

Wed, 23 Sep 2009 21:53 GMT

With the final meeting of the year fast approaching, the penultimate round at the Yorkshire-based Harewood Hillclimb was soon upon us. The Greenwood Cup saw Richard Spedding soar to yet another Fastest time of the Day, with a time of 53.71 seconds, achieving the feat on his third timed run - just heading Morgan Jenkins to the top spot.

John Chacksfield rocketed to the third quickest time, just inches ahead of fourth placed Jason Mourant, while Colin Birkbeck completed the top five fastest competitors of the day. The remaining five spots in the ten fastest times of the day were filled by Harewood regular, Dave Banner, Piers Thynne, Drew Dawson, Len Amy and finally, Iain Davidson.

The Saturday of this final weekend of the 2009 season also saw the arrival of the Ferrari Owners Club, bringing with them some spectacular machines. Christian Mineeff topped the times out of the twenty Ferrari competitors, being the only driver in the class to tear down the 65 second barrier, with a time of 65.79 seconds, which he secured on his second timed run.

The MG Car Club was another feature of the Greenwood Cup meeting, with an impressive showing of various MG cars, from MGB GT models ZR machines, and everything in between. A popular addition to the programme was David Coulthard - not the F1 superstar, his namesake who, along with his Hillclimb outing is also an MG Trophy regular.

Coulthard powered to the top of the times in the MG Cars Group 1 Class, just ahead of another MG trophy regular, Helen Waddington. Meanwhile, it was John Payne and David Morrison who stole honours in the Group 2 & 3 Class and Group 4 & 5 Class, respectively.

Despite a few dramas during the sessions the Greenwood Cup was still as magnificent an event as ever, and a great way set-up to the final event of the year.

Photograph: Tom Rhodes Photographic

Summer Championship August 30th, 2009

Mon, 7 Sep 2009 15:28 GMT

The Summer Championship meeting at our very own Harewood Hillclimb saw a familiar name top the time sheets. After three timed runs each, Harewood regular Richard Spedding powered to top spot, with a time of 53.87 seconds, giving him the fastest time of the day. Colin Birkbeck secured the second fastest time, flying up the hill in 54.81 seconds. These times also gave the duo the two fastest times within Class J.

John Chacksfield managed the third fastest time of the day, with Dave Banner and George Bleasdale following with fourth and fifth times, respectively. Completing the top ten of fastest times were David Grey, Gary Thomas, Iain Davidson, Clive Lightburn and familiar face, Les Procter.

Lotus expert Chris Brooks managed to record the top time within Class 7's Modified Production Cars category. Starting off with a first timed run in 68.22 seconds, his times progressed from there, moving up to a third timed run of 66.91 seconds on his final attempt.

Another Harewood regular and Hillclimb specialist, Simon Green, put his KT Green Westfield through its paces, recording the quickest Class 5 time, just ahead of Richard Vaughan.

Richard Vaughan was all set to enjoy a rare outing, when his car failed to make a getaway from the start line. Luckily, being such a friendly bunch at the Leeds-based venue Dale Cordingley offered Richard the services of his Radical; an opportunity he jumped at. Despite the day not quite going to plan for Richard, he was still said to have an extremely enjoyable day, getting a taste of a spectacular racing car.

Our final weekend of Harewood competition this season is on the 19/20th September, with the Saturday playing host to the Greenwood Cup, while the Sunday will be dominated by the Mike Wilson Memorial meeting.

Montague Burton Trophy August 2nd, 2009

Wed, 12 Aug 2009 09:20 GMT

Sunday's Montague Burton Trophy meeting was dominated by three familiar faces, with Spedding, Blackmore and Chacksfield holding captive the top three positions once again - however this time Blackmore managed to pip Chacksfield for second. Spedding put in a fastest time of 54.07 seconds, with the pursuing duo not far behind.

Simon Green again beat his Class 5 opponents to top the time sheets in his class, while Karl Jackson was back on top in Class 3.

Following round five of the Harewood Hillclimb Championship, David Sturdy now leads with 79.71 points, ahead of Richard Vale, with 78.92, and Henry Moorhouse in third with 77.22 points.

The next round at Harewood Hillclimb is the Summer Championship meeting on Sunday 30th August.

Yorkshire Speed Trophy Meeting August 1st, 2009

Wed, 12 Aug 2009 09:16 GMT

The inaugural Yorkshire Speed Trophy Meeting was definitely well received, and despite the weather playing a vital part once again, everyone had an enjoyable time.

Richard Spedding shone once again, overcoming the difficult conditions to grasp the fastest time of the day, with a time of 61.72 seconds. John Chacksfield secured the second fastest time, recording a time of 63.90 seconds, while Class J record holder James Blackmore set a time of 64.67 seconds to take third.

Simon Green, of Class 5 sponsor KT Green, captured the fastest time in the class, ahead of Ken Green. Meanwhile, Henry Moorhouse took charge of Class 4, ahead of Michael Bellerby and Chris Gibbs.

Harewood Regular, Dale Cordingley, put his skills to the test, enabling him to steal the ninth fastest time of the day and also the best time in Class F, recording a 67.34, with just one run.

British Championship Report July 4th and 5th, 2009

Tue, 7 Jul 2009 14:29 GMT

The weather forecasters got it wrong again! In this event in our favour as the MSA Championship Weekend turned out to be a splendid affair in near idyllic summer conditions throughout the whole weekend.The fine weather brought out the crowds to witness the cream of British Hill Climbers at their very best.

Saturday focused on the usual practice runs, but Sunday turned out to be quite an eventful day. In the qualifying runs for the Top Twelve Run Offs, reigning British Champ Scott Moran honed his times down to a very respectable 49.73. The new traction control system fitted in his Gould GR61X still didn't get him near to his 3 year old outright hill record of 49.19 seconds, but it did bring him the new class record. Close on his heels was a hard charging Martin Groves, briefly taking the lead with a run of 49.54 at the same time eclipsing the class record for the second time in the day. The rest of the field of gladiatorial single seater drivers headed by Moran senior, Roger, were the wrong side of the 50 second mark.

In the first of the run offs, Scott had a miserable run when a traction control wheel caused problems and relegated him to the back of the field. Groves didn't need a better chance than this, comfortably taking the run off with a time four tenths ahead of second placed Trevor Willis in his unique twin Suzuki Hyabusa V8 based OMS.

Moran had the last laugh in the final run off with an FTD of 49.51 which stole the show from Groves by a mere two one hundredths of a second and at the same time lowering the class record for a third time.

The track conditions must have really come to the competitors as several records also fell in the lower powered classes. Andrew Griffiths Caterham took the Class win for up to 1400 cc modified production cars setting a new record at 57.32 seconds - almost half a second under the previous record. Other records to fall were in the lower echelons of the single seater classes where Mark Hemingway, Will Hall and Paul Haimes all took their respective class wins and new records.
Image by Fullframe Photographic