Wasn't Expecting That
OMS Racing had a positive start to the 2017 MSA British Hillclimb and Hillclimb Leaders Championships at the opening rounds over the weekend of 22nd and 23rd April.
The season opener took place at Prescott Hill Climb in the Gloucestershire countryside which was blessed with sunshine all weekend, plus a bumper entry of cars and motor cycles.
The smallest capacity OMS competing was that of Les Buck, a 600cc OMS Hornet that went on to win the class, albeit as the only runner in class H.
It was a very different story in class I racing cars up to 1100cc, with a 30 driver entry. As ever the competition was close with OMS constructor Steve Owen taking the outright class win on 39.64 seconds, much to the suprise of some and with great delight for Steve and Lynn Owen. Both drivers set personal 1100cc best times in their OMS 28, Steve 39.64s and Lynn with 41.70 seconds: a very good day at the office.
Steve Owen OMS 28: photo T Wilson
A total of 10 OMS drivers competed in class I including Simon Andrews (OMS 28) who finished 6th overall on 40.84s and his co-driver Bernie Kevill with his best of the day 41.01s. Harry Pick (OMS 2000M) struggled with a faulty clutch slave to set a fastest run of 41.05s finishing just behind Bernie.
Bernie Kevill OMS 28: photo T Wilson
In the normally aspirated 2000cc racing car class, Terry Davis (OMS CF09) had a chance of snatching the class win from Tim Elmer who's first run time 40.71s was 4/10ths ahead of Terry. Unfortunately Terry had a spin on the second timed run and was unable to improve on his morning time of 41.07s, settling for second overall in the class.
Lee Griffiths had the forced induction 2000cc racing car class all sewn up on his first timed run, posting a 40.46s with the turbo charged OMS 25. With the pressure off Lee improved further on the second timed run to 40.28 seconds consolidating his class win.
Unlimited capacity racing car class front runner Trevor Willis had his eye on the British Hillclimb Championship run offs, ensuring he qualified for each championship round run off. The top three drivers in this class were covered by a mere 5/100ths with Dave Uren taking his first class win on 37.31s in the Gould he is sharing this season with Nicola Menzies. Scott Moran took 2nd in class 37.34s and Trevor 3rd on 37.36 seconds.
Trevor may not have been the top qualifier for either BHC run off, but he certainly finished at the top in round 1 and round 2. With that distinctive launch control sound coming from the OMS 28 he set off each time in determined fashion: only a win would be good enough.
Trevor Willis OMS 28: photo T Wilson
In round 1 Trevor stopped the clock on 37.01s ahead of Dave Uren 37.08s and Scott Moran 37.17s. Round 2 saw the only sub 37 second climb of the day with Trevor taking the win and setting fastest time of day on a 36.86 ahead of Scott 37.03 and Will Hall 37.21s in third. Trevor sits at the top of the BHC points table on a maximum score of 20 points ahead of Scott Moran and Dave Uren.
To view the final results click here and for the BHC points table click here.
Date: 24/04/2017 | Author: L.Owen