The 2006 Season
Shelsley swelters and entertains
A clear blue sky and burning sun greeted the competitors and spectators at this additional weekend of sport in the MAC calendar. The Hill was looking a little parched after the recent hot dry spell but was in good condition.
Saturday saw the return after many years of a closed meeting for MAC members giving an opportunity for novices and those who find it difficult to get an entry at the usual meetings.
The entry of about 105, although not quite at the maximum, was varied and competitive in all classes with the BTD by Bill Hutchins in the Pilbeam MP58 at 27.72 seconds.
Messrs Phil Nuthall and Jonathan Toulmin demonstrated some forceful driving; in fact there were many very good performances with none of the first timers disgracing themselves. A quartet of Lotus single seaters from the Paul Matty championship group made a very impressive sight and the day showed the talent that lies beneath the 'usual suspects' which makes it essential that they are accommodated more often at Shelsley Walsh and other courses.
We were given a display and demonstration runs by 6 single seaters designed and built by students from various Universities as part of their engineering degree studies. They were all very impressive and professional solutions to the design specification and could all have enhanced the entry in the relevant 600cc competitive class.
The crowd, although modest, had good value at this relaxed meeting which was the 'ultimate clubbie' at the oldest and most famous of all hill climb venues.
Sunday saw a marginally smaller entry, because of a few mechanical withdrawals as a result of Saturdays efforts which included the loss of Spider II. The impressive entry ranged from the LSR Delage and the Picard-Pictet Aero to the Gould GR51 of Sue Young. The line-up of pre-war sports and racing cars was as good as that seen at Shelsley Walsh on many other occasions. Single-seaters comprised MG, Lagonda, Fraser Nash, ERA and Riley models, it was almost an ERA lookalike day with the bonus of Donald Day’s own ERA also driven by Paul Richardson, whilst the sports cars were represented by Riley, Aston-Martin and Alta. A full range of post-war sports cars supplemented by a few saloons was boosted by a very competitive class of Ginetta cars.
A good crowd sweltered in the sun but enjoyed a great day of competition with the BTD going to Sue Young in 26.78 seconds whilst her husband Deryk competed in the Channel Isles in Keith Harris’s Chevron. Not the first time a lady has taken BTD, of course, as Gillian Goldsmith has already accomplished the feat, but nevertheless an unusual conclusion to a pleasant weekend.
Certainly this event, with a little tweaking, can be repeated and be made another great day out at the premier hill climb.
With acknowledgement to Harry Emmerson for the report.