Gurston Down 29 & 30 April 2023 

The end of April and the hope of warmer dry weather for our chosen sport although when we hear of droughts in Europe and reservoirs less than a quarter full, our occasionally wet and green environment perched to the west of Europe is more inviting. The weather forecast said dry and mild, pleasant enough as I drove to Gurston on Friday with little traffic, which was curious as the forthcoming weekend was a Bank Holiday. On arrival the ‘farmyard’ part of the paddock had a section of new concrete, long overdue but consequently lots of cement dust, the road sweeper on Friday having been unable to vacuum this as the area was wet – the dust becoming a cement slurry although officials did their best with brooms. A week or two and it will be perfect after some rain, or high winds. Soon everything was unpacked and the Ensign parked beneath the gazebo ready to go – so I thought. 

Saturday dawned misty, a good sign and as Idrove to the hill it started to clear, a blue and sunny sky to welcome the day’s sport. All was looking good until I pressed the starter button to warm the engine – answered by an unwelcome silence. It took very little time to work out that the solenoid in the starter had failed but all was not lost – a spare at home and the day was young. I returned to Bristol to collect the replacement, a tiresome journey but it was a fine day, the job simple enough and would need doing anyway. Returning at the end of the lunch break, the day had been going quickly and well for competitors but I decided that even if I had the Ensign repaired, I wouldn't attempt any runs today. To change the starter the four exhaust pipes and silencer had to be removed for access, simple enough, the starter mounted low and awkward to access but I was familiar with the job, normally 10 minutes. Stupidly I inserted the starter upside down and after the Allen screws were located realised my error – HT and LT cables could not be fitted. No particular problem other than one of the two locating bolts is unseen behind the starter, access difficult with the cable connecting block in the way. Removing this screw took ages but it had to be done, now or later, the day was dry and sunny albeit the location not as comfortable as my workshop. Once done and the starter rotated 180 degrees reassembly was straight forward although fitting the exhaust pipes is always difficult – they are marked but are convoluted when assembled and this need patience! Silencer on and the job done, the twin cam spun and started immediately and I felt virtuous, if that’s the word – I normally don't do 'paddock rebuilds’. Tools strewn everywhere had to be sorted and packed but a glass of cider outside the canteen in the warm evening sunshine restored my enthusiasm for Sunday. 

The morning dawned much the same as Saturday but a cloudy day was forecast, which was correct. Saturday our class comprised Mike in his Alexis twin cam and the Tearle family ‘pere et fils’ in their historic Ginetta G12, fitted with a modernish 1137cc bike engine where a twin cam would have lived. James took the class although Mike ran out of petrol on T2 so the results could have well been different.  

They only stayed for Saurday. On Sunday we were joined by Ian in his scrumptious Brabham BT16 twin cam and James making his first track outing in his completely restored Rudeani. Resplendent with its red Roach crafted body, this car has a transverse Ford engine driving through a Norton gearbox to a ‘solid’ differential, 5” section 10” diameter original J.A Pearce wheels. A veritable plumber’s nightmare of chains, superb workmanship and today a landmark in a very long project, the car having originally been built by James’s father and Jack Heaton Rudd in the 1960s, subsequently lengthened twice but still with a very short wheelbase! A regular and successful competitor back in the day and a competitor at early Gurston hill climbs. The scrutineer was very interested and helpful, careful examination and it was noticed that a wheel bearing was rubbing, soon solved with a spacer. Through the morning the car had a complete spanner check as a precaution whilst the sound test met regulations, always a concern at a first outing.

Competition proceeded, occasional spots of rain which continued intermittently but did not cause problems although there was a noticeable chill in the air which did not help times. After Saturday’s personal chaos I was surprisingly relaxed and the Ensign behaving well, surprisingly over 100mph across the finish line on all four runs, even if the preceding bits had been disappointing. Typically, T2 was the best time and I was unlikely to improve that 34.49s, 35.35s on P1 with Ian just 0.01s quicker to take the class. On T2 he missed third gear off the start which I could see on the start line display and I thought this was my opportunity. However, a second slower due to my untidy driving. Mike improved steadily after an untypical spin through Hollow bend – no harm done to car or driver. James sensibly ran quietly but I thought 70mph across the finish line on T4 impressive for this first outing, James obviously gaining confidence in his 'new' car. 

Another weekend playing with cars finished in good time, no incidents of significance other than a mature lady falling in the paddock opposite the Ensign. I rushed to help, not that I could do anything, but medics were quickly on the scene and I hope there were no serious issues. With over 100 cars there are always stories to tell, mechanical failures, whatever. After having clutch trouble at the April meeting here one competitor completely replaced the whole assembly with new, only to loose third gear on Saturday morning. All of which put my starter motor woes into perspective. As a post script, I contacted the now-suppliers of the starter, Brise having sold the business on retirement to an outfit based in Yeovil. I was quoted 4 week delay to repairs, no spares available for my starter but I could buy a new replacement for £699! A reason to take mine apart on the bench and I discovered the problem and it's working again!

Shelsley  Walsh 16 April 2023 

I had been planning a weekend at Wiscombe later in April, but such is the lust for hill climb success their entry list overflowed as I had entered a few days later than ‘first entries’. I was in fact overflow No 31 when the efficient Entry Sec mailed me, saying I’d possibly get in as their ‘fall out’ was vast – anyway they took no money. I therefore entered the early Shelsley Walsh – Saturday 15th April was a ‘test day’ whatever that means, Sunday 16th a clubby which suited me whilst my b & b could accommodate me on Saturday. If fairness to that excellent club Woolbridge MC where my Wiscombe entry stalled, I was offered both days 5 days before the event but by then had other plans. I hope their entry was filled on what turned out to be a wet and miserable weekend.

That’s outdoor sport in April and I was expecting to quietly unload, wander the paddock and then depart for relaxation. Arriving in ‘The Valley’ I turned into the trailer park to be confronted with mud of Somme proportions about which nobody had advised. Being slightly competitive I decided my 4wb Audi would drive through this with the transporter, only to be disillusioned and bogged down. Knowing that the Audi is rarely thwarted I relaxed and after 5 minutes of ‘to & throw’ the Audi drove out, the 4WD system designed for the German military proving it’s worth - it’s just road tyres in mud are useless. Along the way I was also able to help and push others less fortunate. After this the gate keeper kindly gave me access to the hallowed paddock and I unloaded the Ensign in a hidden corner, the transporter later dumped in the member car park.   

We are all grown up and used to sorting our own issues but I was unimpressed with the lack of warning from the MAC office, compared with Gurston Down a fortnight previously, who had kept everyone ‘in the loop’. I hope the local farmers ‘made hay’ pulling out campers and trailers from the mud. I chatted to a few people in the paddock and later signed in at the b & b. Some ale and a meal finished the evening and the following morning I was in the paddock bright and early, my plan for loading at the end of the day already formulated as the weather was damp and I was expecting the worst. 

The Ensign was alone in the class for 1972-1990 racing cars, running in the second to last batch but as quite a few cars had scratched the programme ran quickly with no delays. The light overnight rain made the track slippery and I approached P1 with caution, the Ensign perhaps sensing this with a tiresome mid-range miss fire which, in the circumstances, hardly mattered, just making a slow controlled start difficult. The pretty red Elva Mk7 in the next shed had been having starter motor woes on Saturday but these seemed to have disappeared, which seemed odd as not something that normally cures itself. My time of 43.24s was best forgotten, much the same with a P2 time of 37.33s, the track drier but I expect I was settling into the routine. A major improvement had been made to the finish paddock with tarmac now covering a large area previously grassed, keeping tyres cleaner although I’d never found this much of a problem. That was the morning over and plenty of people to chat with, many drivers taking the day to spectate and catch up on the news. Again the threatened closure of the Avon factory was the top topic for gossip. The rain stayed away and we were soon into the competitive runs. I had a perfunctory look at the Weber carbs as I suspected the miss fire was due to fuel mixture, no improvement on T1 but curiously on T2 the twin cam chimed in cleanly on 4 cylinders and a much improved 32.98s for the final run. Returning to the paddock I sneaked the Ensign into the members car park and loaded the transporter in a peaceful corner, quite a few other cars adopting the same idea as car parks quickly empty at the end of an event. A pleasant enough outing gave me a chance to refresh my memory of the hill and decide on entries later in the season.  

Gurston Down 1 & 2 April 2023 

The start of my 2023 season of hill climbs and sprints was south to Gurston Down. Conveniently close to home and a decent local b&b, this year I’ve decided to make relaxing weekends here, no driving back and forth from home each day, minimal stress and certainly very little more expensive with current fuel costs. 

As it transpired it was a miserable weekend weatherwise, Friday afternoon heavy rain driven by hard winds across the downlands making unloading a penance, difficult to even get the gazebo safely secured. Officials had been aware of potential problems, the grass trailer park soaked so we had instructions to park trailers, tow-cars and campers elsewhere on site and in the farmyard. A smaller entry at this first event was as well – no advertising was in place as spectator’s cars would just add to the parking problems, although cars were parked outside the farm on the main road, which might have annoyed some of the local residents. 

As usual imy Ensign F3 was in the pre-1972 class with Mike’s Alexis Mk17 twin cam, a regularly used early Morgan 4/4 and a V4 1600cc Lancia Fulvia that we also see quite regularly. I have always liked the Fulvia, either as they left the factory or the modestly exotic Zagato bodied versions. I always thought of them as small cars but now they appear much larger to me, odd as most cars are now much larger than in the 1970s. Early morning it was still raining, less than Friday afternoon but small streams of water crossing the track as we all headed out for our first practice run. These days there are few official formalities as we digitally sign-on, scrutineers just checking overalls, gloves and helmet before heading for somewhere drier. 

As I have already mentioned P1 was wet with a stream crossing the track at the bottom of the hill iheading towards Hollow, where there was also standing water. As the track climbed the water was clearing better although small streams down the sides of the track, 47.04s my first time and most quicker cars were in the 40s although Andy Forsyth was showing off with a 37.45s in his 1600cc OMS with a brave 96mph over the finish! Ed Hollier, Murray Wakeham and Tim Pitfield had offs, Murray tearing the OMS’s underside as the forward aero dug into the mud before Hollow. Conditions improved for P2, in other words less rain. Mike had sensibly declined P1 as indeed he could after attending the recent test day here. Times improved, my 42.95s quicker in line with most other cars. I had the benefit of new tyres, these wet conditions ideal for lightly scrubbing them, the improvement in grip and handling compared with last season becoming more apparent. Current news suggests that production of Avon cross ply race tyres at Melksham will cease at the end of this year – could be a bit of a problem there? With the smaller entry there was time for a third practice run, a bit of a treat normally, but today....?The rain continued and many took this opportunity, times generally a little faster although I produced a slower 45.11s which was a disappointment. By this time Andy Forsyth was down to 35.46s, clearly relishing the conditions. 

Lunchtime came and went, many crowding into the canteen for warmth and sustenance as it was chilly in the paddock. Drivers had the advantage of their thick fireproof overalls, plus extra layers beneath whilst on a day like this a closed car with a heater was the place to be. Starting on the competitive runs the rain had stopped and there was a hint of a dry line in places, improving through the afternoon. This was generally reflected with many best times on T2, myself included with 39.19s on T2 whilst Mike improved by a whopping 4.1s between T1 and T2 in his Alexis. Overall, Andy Forsyth took BTD on 34.60s closely followed by Ed Hollier on 34.97s. With many events these days there is a Top 12 runoff, something I hitherto have manage to avoid, so my confusion was complete when advised that I had qualified in 12th place! Overcome with the excitement and starting quite well, I arrived at Karousel rather early and climbed the grass bank at the top, spoiling the run although no harm was done to the Ensign and I was quickly back on the track. With 4 wheels 'off' the run should have been void but I was given a time! Despite the conditions there were few incidents although I expect everyone were glad when the day finished and cars, in the main, ready for Sunday. Just like Friday evening, much of my clothing was saturated and needed the overnight warmth of the b & B to become wearable again.

Sunday dawned grey with a breeze but happily just occasional drops of rain that cleared as the day progressed, the breeze drying the exposed track and Gurston was surprisingly quick for the afternoon competitive runs. The Morgan left our class to join one dedicated to Morgans, whilst making his first competitive appearance here was VSCC stalwart Ian Baxter with an exquisite Brabham BT16 twin cam. The car had been in the USA and had now returned to its original and competitive condition, already obvious as Ian was quick on the test day some weeks previously. Built by Ron Tauranac in 1965-1966 they were used in F2 and F3, F2 using Cosworth SCA or BRM engines whilst in 1966 the car annexed F2 with their very special Honda dohc engine. Mike had his Alexis and Jago Keen’s Lancia Fulvia reappeared. Driving was much more pleasant and in our class Ian emphatically set the pace on P1 with 37.90s to my 41.07s and Mike’s 41.58. Clearly conditions were improving on P2 with the Ensign was 35.72s, Ian 36.11s and Mike’s Alexis 38.45s with speeds approaching 100mph over the finish line. We stopped for lunch - not quite so cold today! 

Now dry and even the occasional blue sky peeping through, drivers were looking forward to their competitive runs. In our class, P1 and Ian showed his form with 35.30s and 108mph across the finish, the Ensign 35.60s and 110mph with Mike 38.26s and 80mph. The Alexis goes well otherwise and perhaps it’s a gearing issue that reduces its finish speed and time. Into T2 and the Brabham and Ensign matched each other with 34.41s although interestingly Ian’s finish speed was 100mph and the Ensign’s 110mph, or 7800rpm according to my Hewland chart. Mike improved to 37.99s and being the first runner Ian won the class – just! Competition was fierce elsewhere with Ed Hollier taking BTD on 30.65s from Andy Forsythe on 31.02s, Tony Wiltshire and Ben Bonfield following closely. I was once again ambushed and in the Top 12 although sadly the Brabham wasn't, due to the vagaries of competition regulations. This time I kept my cool and finished 7th with a slightly improved 34.33s and a launch 64ft time split of 2.23s, only beaten by a Mitsubishi 4wd. Clearly the new tyres were starting to perform. 

Castle Combe 8.10.22

The conclusion to my quiet season of speed events, close to home and again enjoying perfect weather for the time of year. Bristol Motor Club runs this sprint, in the past held early in the season but now at the end, both being cheaper times to rent a track. Apart from local entries this the last round of the Bristish Sprint Championship so the ‘big hitters’ were present, this championship coming to a competitive end with the final result dependent on today’s results. Apart from being conveniently located Combe enjoys a spacious, level and smooth paddock – even Merlin Motorsport onsite if any oddment is required. I needed spare dzuz fasteners and a replacement dual oil pressure/temperature gauge. The original looking ‘Smiths’ replica is available only with ‘water temperature’ printed on the face, so I shall need to remove the glass and overpaint if I wish to retain the same appearance. 

The Ensign‘s paddock location was with the other single seaters and conveniently opposite the pre-start marshalling area. The sun had risen and the sky was clear, like many autumn days this year the intense sun low in the sky, glaring but a good problem. The track was damp from Friday’s rain but drying, a vast ribbon of tarmac a contrast to Shelsley’s narrow track a fortnight ago! There was plenty of activity and a casual onlooker might have thought cars were being dismantled and rebuilt, although there was plenty of time as the practice runs did not start until well after 9.00am. Apart from the usual jobs getting set up I’d nothing to do, having already changed the gear ratios to suit the wide-open spaces of Combe. The start was at the end of the marshalling area and we had about 1.6 laps, the finish at the end of the 2nd chicane – Bobbies, then the paddock return road and beneath the pedestrian footbridge. Lazily I did not walk the track although did check out the final return into the paddock – just as well for the road was closed outside the canteen, now a customer seating area. 

Plenty of saloon cars, Mazda MX5s, Caterhams and Westfields, a smart lhd 911 and various Radicals caught my eye – also an electric Tesla. Single seaters included OMS, an unexpected 750 formula car with a 850cc Reliant engine, Marengo 2 built by Tony Pashley in Cornwall, revised graphics and nice to see out again having lain fallow for 6 years. As at Llandow I was parked beside Steve Miles, benefitting from his electronically inspired transporter with a musical soundtrack and for all I know a connection to the Space Station! He was 2021 Sprint Champion but this was due to end at Combe, Matt Hillam looking favorite and this was confirmed at the end of the day. Matt sharing the SBD Dallara with Steve Broughton. The Ensign was in the 1600cc single seater class with Carole Torkington in the SBD OMS CF8, which duly disappeared and hid! With few delays the single seaters were called for their practice run, the track now only showing an odd damp patch. My run was slow, emphasising that I should have walked the track for whilst knowing the general layout I had forgotten the detail. After running perfectly at Shelsley the Ensign’s carburetion was poor, choking at high revs, so I made a small adjustment.  

The track remained busy and there were a few short delays although nothing major. Sadly the 750 single seater packed up without a run, whether a mechanical or falling foul of the scrutineers I don’t know. Their checks happen as normal now but perfunctory, checking mainly safety equipment, harness and their date tags. I had the same scrute at the last Gurston where he said I should not use small elastic cords and hooks to hold my lap harness belts to the side of the cockpit – assisting entry as there's little space. The chief scrute confirmed they were ok and we had a joke about it today. I was also approached by observant scrute whilst awaiting P1, querying that I was not wearing the obligatory FHR device, which it is not required in the case of older cars. The first timed run commenced immediately after practice and my small adjustments to the Webers improved the engine response and a much quicker run, helped by the fact I had confidence about where to place the Ensign. In the sunshine the tyres were already warm, an older set due for replacement, their grip good enough for my pace.  

After lunch the plan was for two further timed runs, conditions remaining perfect with sunshine continuing and little breeze. I took the first, no issues but a little slower than T1 following which I packed up early feeling happy enough with the day and the way the Ensign ran. So, the end of another season where events had returned to what passes as normality in these post covid times. There appear to have been sufficient officials to organise and support events which is a potential problem, whilst event entries have been adequate although the usual extremes have been apparent – some event entry lists quickly filled whilst others so low the event was cancelled, or run at a loss. Entry costs have risen, but not significantly, travel and fuel costs significantly more expensive and where necessary accommodation too increasing with the current ‘staycation’ boom. Not so different to many other leisure activities. Autumn has arrived and the Ensign now tucked away in the workshop where it will doubtless provide hours of activity, taking things apart, cleaning and checking, putting them together again!   

Shelsley Walsh 17-18.9.22

Always good to be in the Teme Valley with the hill rising steeply through the woods, a beautiful location to indulge my pleasure in race cars and hill climbs. This was the last meeting of Shelsley's 2022 season comprising of two events on Saturday and Sunday, most of the usual classes and several championships to bolster their entry which including the ‘Autocar’ supported Young Driver Championship, a worthy attempt to encourage new and young drivers into a sport now dominated by drivers of pensionable age. I had entered the Ensign for both days and also arranged accommodation locally to simplify the weekend. 

The entry was varied as might be expected. The pre-1971 Classic class on Saturday included such gems at the George family’s delicious Chevron B19 FVA, the Serrell Elva Mk7, Mike’s Alexis Mk17 1840cc twin cam, 2.4litre of Spider 2 and the Ginetta G16 BMW of Ed Tyack, which probably knows its own way up the hill with or without a driver and duly won their class on Saturday. The Bugatti Owners Club championship class surprisingly had only one single seater, Carole Nicholls Nike Formula Ford; plenty of nice sports cars but few single seaters this year. The Matty Lotus championship were early runners with their range of 60s and 70s sports and racing cars seen here many times before this year. Plenty of modern sports and saloon cars and a sprinkling of fast single seaters including Gould, Pilbeam, DJ, OMS and Force. Curiously, class arrangements placed the Ensign with the modern 1600cc single seaters but it made a change to be surrounded by them in Top Paddock, someone remarking how, like modern road cars, single seat race cars too looked so much larger today with their exotic aero bodywork, albeit significantly lighter with modern composite materials compared with steel tube and GRP. As I’d not driven here since 2019 I walked the track on Friday afternoon, much as expected although more impenetrable trackside barriers, sensible in view of the high speeds cars now achieve although doing nothing for the historical charm of the place. The track was clean as there had been no rain for a while – just dusty but that would disappear with use as I don't think a road sweeper was employed, unlike other clubs. Otherwise, all looked smart and well cared for. Refreshing my memory, I decided on a couple of changes to my usual approach to driving the hill, one to delay further my 'turn-in' at Top Ess, which over the weekend made little difference to my times although the Ensign accepted full power sooner.

The day’s program started promptly and ran smoothly with very few delays despite there seeming fewer marshals than I recall and the 2 in Top Paddock were kept busy. The day was warm and sunny - perfect! After the long absence I was slightly nervous starting P1 but the track opened out before me, a quiet and uneventful run, a little quicker than I expected. More relaxed but concentrated for P2 I managed my fastest climb of the weekend having taken note of Friday’s walk up the hill. The Ensign’s twin cam was running perfectly but slightly slow on the final straight, perhaps the exit through Top Ess too cautious despite my different line. After lunch P1 was rubbish, not concentrating and missing gears whilst T2 was better although I was finding hard exiting the start, the tyres dating from early 2018 and tired. Everything went easily and a stress-free day and I was able to occasionally wander the paddock which is always part of the pleasure of Shelsley, also time in the courtyard afterwards when the awards were presented.

On Sunday morning there was a stronger breeze and the weather cool although dry and pleasant. Arriving earlier than necessary again we had another 2-minute silence and following yesterday's exercise the twin cam started instantly. There was space on the other side of the paddock and I arranged to move there after P1 for the company. Track conditions were similar to Saturday and it was still difficult getting traction off the start although I had tried my Gurston method of short shifting into 2nd gear. This produced slower 64ft times so there was little I could do. The run was smooth enough but I was red flagged approaching Bot Ess, which I saw immediately Having stopped, a marshal waved me forward to reverse into the ‘slot’ to return to the start for a rerun. I did not rush, as apart from anything else steep hill starts are not so easy with the Hewland clutch mechanism. As I was about to move forward the following car, 112 went past me on the right at a fair pelt, obviously released from the start before my arrival at Bot Ess and unable, or unwilling, to stop. I eventually returned to the start for a rerun, upset by the incompetence of start and hill control and relieved that neither the Ensign or I were damaged. Back in July 2016 I had an incident when my Mallock topped the brow after the start. I met the Course Car and Clerk coming down the hill. In both cases I was advised that no one had done anything wrong. I think the people in track control are too old and too complacent, but what do I know! What I do know is that this has never happened to me anywhere else and whilst I love Shelsley perhaps it’s too dangerous? 

I ran P1 again and my time was slightly faster than Saturday morning which, in the circumstance was ok. Now lodged in my new shed the company was perfect as I was parked beside the George’s red Chevron B19, one of my favorite cars, beside Mike and his Alexis, whom I regularly meet at Gurston Down. We were then informed that Richard Hammond and his film crew would occupy the next spaces, messing around with a vintage Riley sports car which was occasionally driven up the hill by another driver. I suppose they needed the atmosphere of a real event to enhance their story line although having paid an entry fee to MAC I did not relish my day interrupted by their capers Soon we were into P2, a modest improvement in my time and incident free. After that I did a bit of moving – bits and pieces to the Audi which was parked in front of the transporter in the trailer park. The Shelsley trailer park is excellent and whilst uneven grass is vast, so it is rare to be blocked by the thoughtless. Opposite the exit is the entry to the Member’s Car Park, a delightful orchard with access to the paddock, introduced by a past competition secretary and appreciated by members today. Very civilised. 

The afternoon was a cooler but not enough to affect the climbs. T1 was unexciting with slow intermediates but 99 over the finish whilst T2 was neat and the fastest of the day on 32.16s, slow but the Ensign was running easily and tidily – there is always another day! So, it was packing up, loading the transporter and homewards. A delightful weekend apart from incompetent management on the hill. A week or two and it will be Castle Combe, run by the Bristol Motor Club – a club with a history and continuity few can match and I’ll feel tons safer there. As an afterthought I've just receive the reports and accounts from MAC. It's interesting to compare the Chairman and Treasurer reports, in my opinion the latter appearing to be much more in tune with the reason for Shelsley Walsh in the 21st Century rather than viewing it as just one revenue stream amongst others. The National Trust, with their success in conservation and preservation whilst also generating revenue, might provide some ideas?  

Gurston Down August Bank Holiday 27-28.8.22

This weekend was always Gurston's contribution to the British Hillclimb Championship but things change and this year it was a normal ‘clubby’ with several invited championships and the final round of Gurston’s own championship, with the treat of double points on Sunday to bolster the entry. Briefly browsing the numbers I suspect most of the championship class results were already settled before this weekend, but who cares? More to the point, we had two days of hot dry weather, plenty of sunshine and a perfect track surface, swept by mechanical road sweeper on Friday so no stones or gravel - even the paddock was clean.  

For a change I delivered the Ensign on Friday and had arranged to stay the weekend at a local b&b at Dinton, a village not far from the hill, avoiding the stress of driving back and forth which is no longer so economical with today’s petrol costs. I walked the track late in the afternoon, a useful refresher and in this case spilt paint on the track usefully marking a braking point! Single seaters were parked as usual in the farm yard, this weekend clean and civilised and not crowded. Our Classic Class 13 had the usual suspects entered - my Ensign, Mike’s Alexis Mk 17 Lotus twin cam and Sue’s Palliser, also powered by twin cam. Other cars were mainly familiar although the 2100cc Norma M20FC sports libre of Duncan Barnes and Tom New was something new, sharing the large capacity libre class with Nick Mann’s familiar yet still impressive 1700cc T Mannic-Beattie. At the other end of the scale Denis Bissell’s 600cc Nemesis HC92 single seater, its new owners first outing in this ex-Rob Capper/Tracy Cameron car, smartly resplendent in bright green. A late 1920s Bugatti Type 40 was a delightful stray from the VSCC on Saturday. Competitors in the HSA Championship had rounds on both days, drivers either running in the HSA classes or, if members of the organising club BARC as well, spread around classes according to their category. If you can understand?

As usual practice started promptly Saturday morning with the Austin Sevens, proceeding smoothly although Steve Luscombe had a ‘mechanical’ so had to withdraw his familiar MG Midget. Track conditions supported fast driving so no significant ‘offs’ although I expect the grass edges saw the odd visitor. My Ensign was behaving perfectly although tired tyres not helping off the start until I adopted the rather odd approach of leaving the line at 4000rpm and immediately changing into 2nd gear for otherwise the tyres were spinning up to 7000rpm. The downhill start here is always fun with my objective of 100mph at the bottom, modest by other standards but quick enough for me. The finish paddock had been reorganised with new white lines which I had fortunately noticed during my walk up the hill - slightly confusing but the marshals had matters well in hand. Smoothly we moved into the afternoon official runs with little ado. T1 actually my best of the weekend on 34.94s, the start slowish at 91mph but a satisfactory 103mph over the finish and more to the point, I kept all 4 wheels on the track. There is a hill climb rule to this effect and I have dropped a wheel off the defined track limits in the past – just too much excitement! Meeting Mike and Millie later we had a meal at the Royal Oak in Swallowcliffe, a delightful pub that has recently received a major refurbishment. Being unused to country life the darkness was overwhelming driving back to the B&B – the clear sky solid with stars, even the unusually bright space station almost hidden. 

The B&B was different, as Fiona had no empty rooms I opted for one of her ‘huts’ - something road workers used to occupy with large iron wheels. Comfortable and something different, not perhaps recommended for cold windy weather but complete with outside shower hut and compost toilet. I opted for breakfast at the farm and it all worked rather well. Sunday again dawned fine, a smaller entry so practice went quickly with no issues, following which the word was that there would be another practice run before lunch, which seemed sensible. Slightly concerned about fuel I decided to opt out and wandered up the hill to watch cars through the twisty Karousel and Ashes on this practice run. After sitting for 40 minutes, I spoke to a marshal who said that plans had changed - a very early lunch followed with the timed runs starting at 12.15 - clearly either the PA was not working or no one thought fit to advise spectators. I walked back to the paddock, slightly bemused by the apparent indecision but perhaps better for the exercise! 

Classic Shelsley 16.7.22 

This a weekend I look forward to and enter the Ensign, whenever possible. This year MAC planned to feature a large BRM display together with a number of their past drivers, including Milke Wilds who cut his teeth driving my Ensign in 1972/3. I was disappointed when told that I could only compete on Saturday due to the large number of entries, the fact that I was a member and had entered this event many times cutting no ice here! I had no enthusiasm for the rush and pressure of a single day as I like time to wander, climb the hill, savor the day. I cancelled Saturday having already advised entry sec Annie Goodyear that I preferred 2 days or nothing when entering. I think others felt as I did but there was a new entry policy in place.

However, bright and early I headed north to Worcester on a very hot Saturday morning, the middle of a prolonged heat wave and for competitors a track in perfect condition. Driving along the valley road there was suddenly traffic, spectators perhaps confused by the alternative entries to the venue although I was soon inside the crowded members car park, underwhelmed by the surly youth masquerading as ‘security’ brusquely demanding my membership card. I gather this was the same elsewhere, the competitors trailer park suffering a similar fate and being ‘organised’, where for decades competitors have parked tidily without amateur supervision. Escaping the Audi, it was good to walk into the paddock, every space filled with competitors and plenty of spectators although only 9.45am. I wandered over to where my erstwhile class was located and was soon up-dated on activities and other competitors. In the class a rare appearance of Ewan Cameron's Harrier F5000, a one-off car built in period by Terry Sanger. The program was dominated by large classes of particular championships – 22 in the BOC Classic, 20 in the Austin Healey, 15 in the 500cc, 25 in the Matty Lotus and 21 in the unbelievably noisy Rally 22 class. The remaining age defined classes were small, some with only one car, presumably MAC had opted for volume in order to ensure a full paddock and entry revenue.. I understand a Shelsley event was cancelled early in the season due to few entries so their approach was understandable, if flawed, depending on ones view. There again, I expect most of the spectators would not know the difference and would relish the sight of anything with 4 wheels and making a loud noise. Whilst not attending I see from the results that Sunday was dominated again by the championships of Matty Lotus, 500OA, Austin Healey, Ralli 22 with additional Morgans and Classic Marques on the day. Again the remaining classes mainly had but one car entered which was rather pointless but as with Saturday it saved MAC money as awards only given where there are 3 or more competitors!

Apart from my disappointment in the lack of interesting or rarely seen cars in the paddock, the specially arranged and heavily promoted BRM display was worth the journey. An original V16, the 1965 Rover BRM turbine Le Mans car, not so posh but nevertheless lovely was the Willment BRM 2 lit V8 sports racer and a red Cooper BRM F2 , Also there an F1 V8, two F1 4cyl, one with the exposed rear disc brake and others, including a brand new V16 that was running – if you have a budget anything can be fabricated these days! Two early 70s V12s looked magnificent, a P153 and P201 and I spent a long time looking at their workings although with the bodywork firmly in place too much was hidden. There were also the 1971 Brabham based Hepworth 4wd and their 1970 P154 BRM CanAm sports racer in the display, cars that appear quite regularly but none the worse for that. Apparently, a plaque was to be fixed near the start line on Sunday, commemorating the single appearance by the V16 at Shelsley and BRM in general.

The hot day was not entirely suited for climbing the hill on foot. The spectator encloses were busy, although judging by those close to me it was more of a family outing than an overwhelming enthusiasm for Shelsley or the competition that had drawn people here. The hill itself looked in perfect condition, although armco had arrived on the right, between Crossing and the sleepers at Bottom S. Inevitable, I suppose, as concern had been expressed for some time about faster cars leaving the track to the right and climbing the bank - out of control. I hope it's eventually painted green as the uncoated shiny metal makes it too 2022. The car park was filled with club areas, trade stands and food outlets and I was interested to see an immaculate Auston A90 Atlantic convertible made in the late 1940s and early 1950s, produced with export in mind but not a great success in the large US market. I remember travelling in one to the British GP at Aintree in 1955 with my family, great fun being had with its then revolutionary powered soft top. We travelled to and from London with ease, the 2.6 lit 4 cylinder engine giving a top speed of around 90mph, quick for those pre-motorway days. The survival of this example in the Shelsley car park was a truly a ‘tour de force’!  

I've not been rushing to enter events this season and therefore waited for the second Gurston weekend, familiar territory so to speak. This time a Saturday morning arrival, too early by far but the roads were deserted and a swift journey without rushing. Our class was again parked in the 'farmyard' which was clean underfoot after the road sweeper's visit on Friday, although piles of old farming detritus still haunt the dilapidated sheds. Even a visually tidy Unimog was parked to the rear of the large capacity single seaters, which made me ponder. I sometimes think I should get a larger transporter as changing two wheels on one side of the car enabling it to fit the transporter width is tiresome. For some reason I timed this operation and it's actually so quick it's hardly worth the inconvenience and expense of buying something larger. Fine weather again, sunshine although a chilly northerly breeze blowing up the hill against the traffic, light rain threatened with the odd short shower that did not affect proceedings.

Our class was again small, the Ensign and Mike's Alexis F3, Sue Hayes in her Palliser FF which runs a twin cam, F3 size wheels and other tweaks. Mike was not running his Alexis on Sunday. Times gone there used also to be Geoff's ex-Spencer Elton Lotus 22 twincam and Sue's Palliser was run by Hugh, whilst the unique and fast St Bruno Roughcutter clubmans car was quickly driven by Chris Cannell. Occasionally even Reg's Cooper Bobtail - ex Stirling Moss and winner of the Empire Trohy Race back in the day - this car completely original and un-messed about. However, times change and people move on, Chris recently deciding that he is no longer interested and is now selling all his hill,climb machinery. The track was in good condition and the occasional light shower soon dried in the sharp breeze.

Gurston Down 26-27.3.22

Back on a hillclimb for serious felt rather strange, my first event in 2 years and trying to remember everything that I needed to take with me. Consequently, I took the car towards Salisbury on Friday morning in case something was forgotten, settling into the routine although the Friday traffic was as bad as I remembered from the past. Once again in Gurston’s quaintly titled Historically Interesting class, shared with Mike Broome’s Alexis Mk17 F3 and Mike Berry’s Austin Healey 100M. The Healy was here to get in some practice for further AH exclusive classes at Gurston. Conditions were hot and dry for both days, surprising for the time of year. A small entry of 73 meant that we had 3 practice runs on Saturday with 2 official runs after lunch, Sunday the usual 2 + 2. Being familiar with Gurston helped as I was not particularly relaxed, even something silly like clipping into the nasty new harness proving an obstacle. I’d even inadvertently fitted the older set of tyres although quite what difference tyres would make is open to conjecture. Despite my reticence the Ensign ran reasonably well with my cautious approach.

Catching Up – 2019 to 2022 

A long gap since my comments at the end of 2018 and the start of 2019 and much has happened along the way, most of which has nothing to do with motor sport. I decided that whilst continuing to enjoy the sport, I was fed up writing about it and would take a break, maintaining the web site for perhaps the future. Covid then made a big dent in motorsport as with everythng else, some competition in 2020 and a more in 2021, all of which I left alone apart from spectating at a few events when restricttions became less arduois. Since starting driving again in 2022 people have made polite comments about this blog so I thought I might start again, having forgotten, of course, how to upload text and images and also just how time consuming it is! 

Late in February 2022 I visited Llandow sprint track, close enough over the Severn Bridge near Cowbridge, for a morning's testing, the track in Wales having only just reopened after a prolonged Covid closure. Conditions were dry if a bit cold cold and a few other cars and people I knew were also testing. One other open wheeler to share my sessions, an ‘off’ on his first session leaving me to myself for the rest of the morning, driving quiely to run in the engine. It was rather peaceful and just what the Ensign and I needed!

Initially the engine was diabolical but after a couple of laps the cobwebs were blown away and thereafter it ran smoothly for several sessions, until I ran out of petrol! After rescuing by resident factotum ‘China John’ it seemed a good time to stop, checking that petrol was indeed the problem for my peace of mind. When hot the engine ran smoothly to 6500rpm briefly, all the liquids stayed inside the engine, oil and water settled at 70C. A satisfactory morning.

Several jobs needed doing before the new season. Our governing body, having changed their title to Motorsport UK felt they must justify their existance. In my case the quaintly title PDVIF vehicle description for my 1960 Mallock and 1972 Ensign to confirm they were what everyone know they are, plus new hillclimb Log Books now referred to as Vehicle Passports. All of which cost, of course, although I do the details and images - why should it be otherwise! Plus a new harness which looks of poorer quality than the 'out of date' one I removed, but it has the correct holorgram.