Everybody Have a Good Time
The weekend's events at the Midland Automobile Club's Championship Challenge meeting on 15th and 16th August showcased some of the finest cars past and present at the historic Shelsley Walsh Hill Climb venue. The event brought together competitors from the premier National Championships in Speed Hill Climbing: MSA British Hillclimb Championship, MSA Leaders Hillclimb Championship and the Midland Hillclimb Championship.
Charles Williams was driving his OMS SC1 for the last time this weekend and finished in fine form taking the class win on 31.12s in this beautifully presented Blackbird powered sports car. The car had been advertised for sale and on returning to the paddock Charles sold it to its new owner who lives in the Lake District.
OMS Hornet drivers Garry Hill and Harry Pick battled for the spoils in the 600cc racing car class. On the first timed runs 1/100th separated the two. But Gary put in a superb second run to take the class win on 29.89s a new personal best for him too. Harry had to settle for second place with his fastest run time 30.13s from his second climb.
Fifteen cars contested the 1100cc racing car class honours and the fastest nine drivers all ran under 28 seconds. Top spot went to Chris Aspinal on 26.74s to win the class by 2/10ths from Simon Andrews OMS 28 who took second place and set a new PB with his 26.94s climb. The third to ninth places in class were covered by 7/10ths, so close is the competition in this class.
Steve and Lynn Owen drove their 1600cc OMS 28 in Class J: another hotly contested class and this weekend was no exception. A quarter second split the top three in the final standings with Steve Owen, Eynon Price and Ed Hollier trading places all weekend. Ed took the win on 25.30s, Eynon second 25.43s and Steve third 25.56s which was also a PB for Steve. John MacKenzie finished seventh with a best time 27.41s in his OMS 2000M, whilst Lynn Owen finished eighth with her best of the weekend 28.53 seconds.
The forced induction 2 litre racing car class fielded a trio of OMS cars in the hands of Andy McBeath (OMS 25), Neville Rollason (OMS 28) and Lee Griffiths (OMS 25). Lee had a tremendous weekend with his first timed run placing him second in class to Dave Uren. But despite an improved time 25.95s on his second climb, Lee had to settle for third overall in the class when Graham Wynn got ahead on his second run. Nevertheless it was a great event for Lee and he set a new PB too. Also setting a new PB was Nev Rollason with his fastest climb of the day 26.24s to finish fifth in class. The final championship point scorer in this class was Andy McBeath on a time of 27.23s to finish sixth.
Steve Owen and Trevor Willis qualified for each round of the British Hillclimb Championship Top 12 Run Offs. Trevor finished 3rd overall in the first run off and 5th in the second. Steve finished outside of a point scoring position in 11th and 12th respectively, but was delighted to have run consistently in the 25s bracket.
To see run times and splits click here and for the British and Leaders Championship tables click here.
Date: 21/08/2015 | Author: L.Owen