The 2005 Season
Centenary Season Starts In Style!
Action returned to the world famous venue as the Centenary Season started in fine weather on the weekend of 14 th and 15 th May. It was a double Best Time of Day for Herefordshire driver Deryk Young in the recently acquired ex Graeme Wight Junior former hill record holding Gould GR51B chassis fitted with Deryk's familiar Judd V8. Deryk sped up the big power hill with a 27.25 on Saturday and 26.76 on Sunday. Second BTD on Saturday went to fast strawberry farmer John Jones in his supercharged Pilbeam with Bill Morris of Haverfordwest taking third BTD in his Pilbeam. Second BTD on Sunday fell to Phil Jefferies in the Hi-Tech with Rodney Barbour third in his Marengo.
Saturday was windy, although fine and sunny, but Sunday turned into one of those special Shelsley days to the great joy of all who had flocked to the historic hill as we basked in possibly the best day of weather so far in 2005.
There was a packed weekend of classes on both days with that most historic of Shelsley Specials, Spider, driven by David Leigh, rolling back the years to the roaring twenties during the Saturday programme. That Vee-twin throb echoed around the Teme Valley as it did all those years ago to once again revive the spirit of Shelsley after the winter slumbers.
Competitors battled their way to the top in the Aldon Automotive/HSA Speed Championship on Saturday and Midland Speed Championship on Sunday, not forgetting enthusiastic contenders in several one-make championships.
Report by Eddie Walder