NEWS
VSCC Hill Climb Ace James Baxter back on top at Wiscombe Park Season Opener
Wednesday 13 May 2015
Another capacity entry enjoyed a fantastic start to the VSCC Hill Climb Season at Wiscombe Park this past weekend on Sunday 10 May.
Provisional Results are now available to download from the Wiscombe Event Page (CLICK HERE), where you can also view photos from the day in the gallery.
A thick rolling mist greeted those arriving early to the idyllic Devonshire venue with many Competitors apprehensive of the likely damp conditions, particularly under the thick tree-lined section of the track from ‘The Gate’ to the top of the hill. Nevertheless, spirits were high with this year’s entry full to capacity – the first time in a number of seasons – and the promise of a great day’s motorsport ahead.
As the first of the morning Practice Runs got under way, the expected testing conditions on track were confirmed with Competitors clearly giving the challenging course the utmost respect. However, by the time the second round of attempts had begun the timing screens were already showing significant improvement across the Classes as the weather quickly improved. By the time we were through the reduced lunch break - truncated by the day’s bumper entry and an enforced prolonged practice session – the tarmac was virtually back to its best, in time for a fascinating afternoon’s competition.
There was a highly-anticipated ‘Frazer Nash versus Riley’ battle at the top of Class 3 for the 1101-1500cc Sports-Car group, with Club President Tim Kneller taking the honours, ahead of fellow Riley TT Sprite comrade, Andy Bush and the Frazer Nash Super Sports of Jo Blakeney-Edwards – this particular rivalry is sure to prove a season-long affair. With favourite Jeremy Brewster forced to retire the Lea-Francis Hyper, Charles Pither put on an awesome display to dominate Class 4 in his Frazer Nash Ulster, setting a new Class Record of 52.93 secs in the process, whilst Mac Hulbert overcame the challenge of Alex Pilkington’s Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 to take Class 5 in his Alvis Silver Eagle, and debutant Robert Matthews steered his wonderful Delahaye 135 to inaugural Class 6 victory. In contrast, there were more familiar faces amongst the winners of the Special Sports-Car Classes, with David Furnell (Austin 7 ‘The Toy’), David Pryke (Morgan/Riley), Duncan Fish (Alvis 12/70) and John Earle Marsh (Alvis Silver Eagle) all topping their respective classes.
A strong turnout of Post-war Racers again joined the fray this year, with a wonderful mix of F3 (500) and 1100cc machinery on display. Current holder of the Club’s annual Post-war HWM and Phipps Trophies after a great 2014, Richard Ashford began his year with another Class victory in his Cooper T9 and second overall on the day. Winner on Handicap in Class was our own Angus Frost, marking his debut in his father’s Martin F3, which he will campaign across our Hill Climbs this year.
The younger ranks of the Club’s competing membership were again fantastically well-represented throughout the entry, with significant results amongst the Sports-Cars for Freddie Smith, successfully defending his Class 1 crown in his Austin 7 Ulster, and Andrew Baker in the family Riley Brooklands, less than 0.2 secs adrift of Damian Gardner-Thorpe’s supercharged Austin 7 in Class 2. Tim Harrison gave a most meritorious debut showing in his 1911 De Dion Bouton, whilst William Leith will be delighted to record a Class 13 win in his Austin 7 Sports, ahead of another young promising VSCC racer, Tom Waterfield, third in his Austin 7 Special example. Charlie Martin led the way once again, however, as he put on another impressive display in the Morgan ‘RIP’ Special to record a stunning 50.29 secs to just trail Terry Crabb’s imposing ERA R12C for Class 14 victory, and also just miss out on overall Vintage honours.
As at Curborough the preceding week, Charlie was again foiled by the AC/GN ‘Cognac’ of Tony Lees, who continued his commanding start to the season with a sub-50 second best run. He was less than 0.3 secs behind Julian Grimwade, third-placed overall in the Pre-war standings and Class 12/16 Winner in the Frazer Nash Norris PVT Special, who in turn was a mere 0.03secs behind the impressive Alta 61 I.S. of Ian Baxter. It was perhaps unsurprisingly his namesake, James Baxter who claimed the Fastest Time of Day title as he displayed his Hill Climb prowess in ERA R4A; his final run of 46.77 secs was a remarkable two seconds clear of his closest rival as he ominously staked his claim for domination of this year’s Hill Climb crown.
The Club extends its congratulations to all for their part in a superb day’s motorsport with, as ever, particular thanks to the many Marshals and other volunteers who gave up their time to help run the day. As always, our events would not take place without their loyalty and dedication.
The Club’s busy calendar of Events continues in a couple weeks time with a double-header of the BARC Harewood Hill Climb on Saturday 6 June (CLICK HERE) followed by our much-loved Shuttleworth & Nuffield Trophies Race Meeting at Cadwell Park on Sunday 7 June (CLICK HERE).
The celebrated Brooklands Double Twelve Motorsport Festival, jointly hosted by the VSCC, follows a week later, incorporating three competitive elements of VSCC Speed Trials, Driving Tests and Concours over the weekend of 13/14 June (CLICK HERE).
A thick rolling mist greeted those arriving early to the idyllic Devonshire venue with many Competitors apprehensive of the likely damp conditions, particularly under the thick tree-lined section of the track from ‘The Gate’ to the top of the hill. Nevertheless, spirits were high with this year’s entry full to capacity – the first time in a number of seasons – and the promise of a great day’s motorsport ahead.
As the first of the morning Practice Runs got under way, the expected testing conditions on track were confirmed with Competitors clearly giving the challenging course the utmost respect. However, by the time the second round of attempts had begun the timing screens were already showing significant improvement across the Classes as the weather quickly improved. By the time we were through the reduced lunch break - truncated by the day’s bumper entry and an enforced prolonged practice session – the tarmac was virtually back to its best, in time for a fascinating afternoon’s competition.
There was a highly-anticipated ‘Frazer Nash versus Riley’ battle at the top of Class 3 for the 1101-1500cc Sports-Car group, with Club President Tim Kneller taking the honours, ahead of fellow Riley TT Sprite comrade, Andy Bush and the Frazer Nash Super Sports of Jo Blakeney-Edwards – this particular rivalry is sure to prove a season-long affair. With favourite Jeremy Brewster forced to retire the Lea-Francis Hyper, Charles Pither put on an awesome display to dominate Class 4 in his Frazer Nash Ulster, setting a new Class Record of 52.93 secs in the process, whilst Mac Hulbert overcame the challenge of Alex Pilkington’s Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 to take Class 5 in his Alvis Silver Eagle, and debutant Robert Matthews steered his wonderful Delahaye 135 to inaugural Class 6 victory. In contrast, there were more familiar faces amongst the winners of the Special Sports-Car Classes, with David Furnell (Austin 7 ‘The Toy’), David Pryke (Morgan/Riley), Duncan Fish (Alvis 12/70) and John Earle Marsh (Alvis Silver Eagle) all topping their respective classes.
A strong turnout of Post-war Racers again joined the fray this year, with a wonderful mix of F3 (500) and 1100cc machinery on display. Current holder of the Club’s annual Post-war HWM and Phipps Trophies after a great 2014, Richard Ashford began his year with another Class victory in his Cooper T9 and second overall on the day. Winner on Handicap in Class was our own Angus Frost, marking his debut in his father’s Martin F3, which he will campaign across our Hill Climbs this year.
The younger ranks of the Club’s competing membership were again fantastically well-represented throughout the entry, with significant results amongst the Sports-Cars for Freddie Smith, successfully defending his Class 1 crown in his Austin 7 Ulster, and Andrew Baker in the family Riley Brooklands, less than 0.2 secs adrift of Damian Gardner-Thorpe’s supercharged Austin 7 in Class 2. Tim Harrison gave a most meritorious debut showing in his 1911 De Dion Bouton, whilst William Leith will be delighted to record a Class 13 win in his Austin 7 Sports, ahead of another young promising VSCC racer, Tom Waterfield, third in his Austin 7 Special example. Charlie Martin led the way once again, however, as he put on another impressive display in the Morgan ‘RIP’ Special to record a stunning 50.29 secs to just trail Terry Crabb’s imposing ERA R12C for Class 14 victory, and also just miss out on overall Vintage honours.
As at Curborough the preceding week, Charlie was again foiled by the AC/GN ‘Cognac’ of Tony Lees, who continued his commanding start to the season with a sub-50 second best run. He was less than 0.3 secs behind Julian Grimwade, third-placed overall in the Pre-war standings and Class 12/16 Winner in the Frazer Nash Norris PVT Special, who in turn was a mere 0.03secs behind the impressive Alta 61 I.S. of Ian Baxter. It was perhaps unsurprisingly his namesake, James Baxter who claimed the Fastest Time of Day title as he displayed his Hill Climb prowess in ERA R4A; his final run of 46.77 secs was a remarkable two seconds clear of his closest rival as he ominously staked his claim for domination of this year’s Hill Climb crown.
The Club extends its congratulations to all for their part in a superb day’s motorsport with, as ever, particular thanks to the many Marshals and other volunteers who gave up their time to help run the day. As always, our events would not take place without their loyalty and dedication.
The Club’s busy calendar of Events continues in a couple weeks time with a double-header of the BARC Harewood Hill Climb on Saturday 6 June (CLICK HERE) followed by our much-loved Shuttleworth & Nuffield Trophies Race Meeting at Cadwell Park on Sunday 7 June (CLICK HERE).
The celebrated Brooklands Double Twelve Motorsport Festival, jointly hosted by the VSCC, follows a week later, incorporating three competitive elements of VSCC Speed Trials, Driving Tests and Concours over the weekend of 13/14 June (CLICK HERE).
