1994 BRG Lightweight Hillclimb Turbo

Prescott 28th 29th April 2018.


Prescott historically hosts the first round of the British championship each season. The event also incorporated the first round of the Midland Hillclimb champiosnhip that I will be competing in this year.



I was expecting this season to be a tough challenge going up against some of the fastest road going hillclimb cars in the country. The two day event had a great entry in the class with 10 runners. Three fast Mitsubishi Evos would likely be the class favourites along with a potent 450bhp 2500cc "Hawk eye" Impreza STI. There were a good group of 2wd runners including 4 Porsches. The fastest likely to be Rob Lancaster Gaye in his yellow 996 GT3.

Saturday practice was wet. My first run up was a gentle affair as its the first time on the hill in the damp / wet. Grip was surprisingly good and I pushed on for practice 2. The car is tricky to drive int he wet as the turbo power delivery although linear by turbo car standards is hard to transmit to the ground. I was not surprisingly well behind the 4wd machines. Two of the Porsches and Dave Parr (a Prescott hillclimb school instructor - in his owned from new Sierra Cosworth) were just ahead of me.

Sunday dawned murky but dry - that was until we got in our cars for final practice - the rain started again providing track conditions similar to Saturday again. I tried to be mega smooth on the throttle and drive up with no wheel-spin at all - A technique that worked well in the club100 karting championship I've competed in for years. It didn't work in the Mazda and I put in a disappointingly slow climb.


The track dried up for our first competition runs. This was the first dry run of the weekend - they track looked bone dry but cold. There was also reports of a big oil spill around the daunting semi circle corner before the finish. Speaking to friends in the 1100cc Racing car class they confirmed it was properly slippery.

I pushed as hard as I was comfortable with to record a 51.32 to take 4th in the class and third of the Midland championship runners. The car was understeering on dirty tyres all around the first long left hander at orchard. I was really pleased to beat all the other 2wd machinery and pip the Impreza.


After lunch it was time for round 2. The track looking in even better condition now with some rubber being laid down by the racing cars on their super soft slicks.
I knew a PB run (49.63) wasn't on today as the track was very cold. I was really happy to improve to a 50.56. This time losing to all the 4wd stuff, but still ahead of the Porsches. The class win was taken by Stephen Moore in his rapid Evo with a time of 48.45.

Stephen Moore (Evo 6) 48.45
George Harding (Evo 6) 48.91
Paul Harris (Evo 6) 49.25
Tim Dennis (Impreza) 50.13
Jon Maycock (me)(Mx5) 50.56
Robert Lancaster Gaye (GT3) 51.00
Peter Herbert (911) 51.72
David Parr (Cosworth) 52.13
Simon Tarling (GT3) 52.71
David Strange (911) 57.18



Cheers to Rob baconsarnie  for the pics!



Onboard:




I came away beaming really happy with my performance and even more addicted to this sport. Shelsley Walsh this weekend and its an all 2wd class for once. Im up against the Porsches again - It will be tough on such a power hill to fend them off.

Shelsley Walsh 5th / 6th May 2018. The second round of the BMTR Midland hillclimb championship.



My second ever visit as a competitor to "The World Famous" Shelsley Walsh, the oldest operational motorsport venue in the world - having been in use since 1905!



Shelsley has a unique atmosphere and as motorsport venues goes its incredible. You get a real sense of history in the paddock and the location could not be more beautiful. You mustn't however let the green and pleasant surroundings lull you in to a false sense of tranquility. This is one scary Hill! Fast Fast and more Fast. As mentioned after my first visit , the course looks like nothing on paper , but the speed coupled with the blind corner entries make it an intimidating place that rewards being brave , but at the same time smoothness.




The event was spread over 2 days as most Midland rounds are. Practice on the Saturday and competition on the Sunday


The weather was a stark contrast to the last round at Prescott, with blazing sun and hot tarmac.



There were only 3 cars in my class. Myself and two 996 911 GT3s. The quickest of the two and favourite for the class win being the yellow car of Rob Lancaster Gaye. His car is a club sport package car with a handful of tasty Manthey racing parts, including Magnesium wheels and a freer flowing race derived exhaust system bringing power to around 400bhp.

Rob led after practice. with me in second.

Unusually there was no extra practice run on Sunday morning. So straight into the timed runs "cold". I went in as hard as I dare into the fast Kennel bend with just a small lift , and kept my foot in longer than I have done before into crossing, again just a lift of the throttle and back on again as early as you dare - the rear of the car got light and started to move around - I have to admit this slight moment made me brake slightly earlier than Id have liked for bottom S perhaps losing a few tenths. I think on a good day - crossing will be flat. I just missed out on a PB run.

Watching back my vid I can see I improve my driving in the Esses Particularly the exit - being more confident on the throttle on exit and carrying more speed at the apex.

I didn't improve on timed run 2. I happily settled for a comfortable 2nd in class but was a little way off the yellow Porsche. After 2 (4) rounds of the championship I currently lie equal first in the class championship with Rob in his GT3.

Many folk said the track was green and didn't get near their usual bests so Im pretty confident the car and driver can get a 33 second run if the tracks in good shape at the next visit




Onboard: 34.89





The biggest lesson of the weekend:

NEVER EVER TALK TO SPECTATORS IN THE PADDOCK ABOUT HOW RELIABLE YOU CAR IS. EVER.

The car broke down 3 times on the way home. Initially spluttering to a halt on the M5, then the A4117 and finally the A34.

I think the coolant system had an airlock in it. Each stop I burped out some more air from the system and it fired up and drove ok.
I spent bank holiday Monday checking things over and giving the coolant system a proper burp, again a fair bit of air was removed.
I will compression test it today as well.


Fingers crossed the issue is sorted.

Either way Im sure to find out on the long drive up to Shropshire for the next round at Loton Park on the 19/20th May.
Tailgate McNoIndicate powered
Car of the weekend? Other than the stunning GWR raptor which set a stunning low 25 second run for FTD with only 1000cc it has to be the B M W powered Ralt RT1 F2 car. Massive want!

Compression tests results:

Cyl 1 210psi
Cyl 2 210psi
Cyl 3 210psi
Cyl 4 210psi.

So no obvious issues there.
No obvious leaks in the cooling system either.

Love reading your weekend race reports.

What’s the retail on one of those?

Firstly, I want to join your series, it looks awesome!

Secondly, where did you get your timing strut from?