The 2006 Season
GROVES THE WINNER AND RECORD BREAKER.
Results (PDF)
SUE YOUNG LOWERS LADIES RECORD AGAIN.
Top
level Hill climb action returned to Shelsley Walsh on the weekend of 19th
and 20th August when the Nicholson McLaren British Hill Climb Championship
came calling for the second time this season. The event was watched by a large
crowd, probably the largest group of spectators at any hill climb in the UK
this year.
The big news is that both the outright hill record and the Ladies 
record
fell. Reigning hill climb champion Martin Groves reduced his record further
to 23.75 in his 3.5 litre Gould GR55B powered by Nicholson Mclaren. Current
Ladies record holder Sue Young took the record down to 25.78 which is a first
time ever for a lady in the 25 second bracket.
Martin
moved back into the lead of the championship by taking both run off wins on
the day, earning 20 points plus a one point bonus for taking the record in
the first run off. Scott Moran continued his superb season with two second
places and is only two points behind Groves with all to drive for in the remaining
six rounds at three venues. Gathering the third highest points was Guernsey
Garage proprietor Mike Dean with a third and fourth in the two run-offs for
15 points in total. Groves car share partner Paul Ranson took a super third
and fifth for 14 points.
Chris Merrick also enjoyed a good day with a fourth and sixth 
although
Shelsley resident Simon Durling was a little subdued after recent successes
with two eighth places.
As if this was not enough, Ash Mason took the record for modified road going production sports cars (over 1400cc up to 2000cc) with a 31.97s run in his Westfield Sei. Peter Cox took the record for racing cars manufactured between 1972 and 1985 with a 28.62s run in the rumbling ex Russ Ward Chevron B42 which he fully restored last winter.
A full field of 215 entries took to the hills on both days with Saturday unfortunately being wet for much of the afternoon. Sunday was dry except for two light showers that dried quickly although the track was a little slippery for early runners following a little more rain overnight.
The
day was slightly marred by a major accident to Phil Nuthall in the John North
designed Crumpet special. Phil hit the Recticel barrier at the Kennel bend
with considerable force. The hard working rescue team leaped into action but
it was some time before Phil could be extricated from the cockpit. Despite
the spectacular arrival of the Air Ambulance it departed without Phil on board
for another serious incident. Phil, who blacked out in the massive deceleration
of the shunt was diagnosed with a badly bruised sternum (breast bone) but
should be back around the Teme Valley very quickly although the poor old Crumpet
special is in need of plenty of tender loving care, not for the first time
in its life! Enormous thanks are due to all the entirely voluntary rescue
and marshalling teams for all their assistance over the weekend. Without them
we would have no motor sport!
RUN OFF ONE 1 Martin Groves (3.5 Gould-NME GR55) 23.75s BTD & hill record; 2 Scott Moran (3.5 Gould-NME GR61X) 23.86s; 3 Mike Dean (3.5 Gould-NME GR55) 24.45s; 4 Chris Merrick (4.0 Gould-Judd GR55) 24.51s; 5 Paul Ranson (3.5 Gould-NME GR55) 24.58s; 6 Deryk Young (Gould GR51B-Judd EV) 24.87s; 7 Roger Moran (3.5 Gould-NME GR61X) 25.03s; 8 Simon Durling (2.65 Gould-NME GR55) 25.13s; 9 Basil Pitt (2.65 Gould-NME GR55) 25.61s; 10 Jos Goodyear (2.1 turbo Pilbeam MP88) 26.02; 11 Trevor Willis (2.6 OMS-Powertec CF06) 26.15; 12 Karl Davison (4.0 Gould-Judd GR37) 26.47s.
RUN OFF TWO 1 Groves 24.09s; 2 Scott Moran 24.26s; 3 Ranson 24.45s; 4 Dean 24.83s; 5 Young 24.92; 6 Merrick 25.09s; 7 Roger Moran 25.21 8 Durling 25.41s; 9 Basil Pitt 25.73s; 10 Willis 26.26s 11 Matthew Harrison (3.5 SPA-Judd) 26.27; 12 Goodyear 27.08.
Class winners Robert Kenrick (Caterham Blackbird) 30.53s; Ash Mason (Westfield Sei) 31.97s class record; Richard Marshall (Peugeot 205) 33.31s; Peter Bishop (Westfield SEiw) 31.20s; Roy Standley (Mitsubishi Evo 5) 31.18s; Keith Edwards (Audi Quattro sport) 31.21s; Gary Stephens (Mallock Mk21/24B) 29.94s; Simon Fidoe (Pilbeam MP43) 28.59s; Harrison 26.64s; Adam Steel (0.6 Martlet Dm8) 30.40s; John Rutland (1.0 OMS Hornet) 28.24s; Dave Kimberley (1.6 Force PC) 27.49; Tom New (2.0 Pilbeam MP88 QED-KV6) 27.17s; Groves 24.15s.
Photos Eddie Walder.
