Electric chair rounds 1 & 2 Loton Park

View from Loton April 2007

The opening weekend of the British Hillclimb Championship at Loton Park took place in near perfect weather conditions, which gave us lots of exciting track action. 

Scott Moran took both wins and his dad Roger had a strong weekend with a 2^nd and a 3^rd.  Well done team Moran.  Martin Groves and Paul Ransom were sidelined from most of the weekend due to engine problems, but the car is now a nicer shade of yellow and it almost matches my jacket.

Tony Hunt shared his Force in the end with Willem Toet as Willem’s engine was still not fixed, but Willem only got one shot in the car over the whole weekend as Tony had an off early on practice day.  It was good to see Tony back so quickly after his trip to hospital in the air ambulance.  Was he trying to fly like his parrot Basil!

Simon Durling had a good weekend and so did Chris Merrick.  Trevor Willis started the season off showing the true potential of the new OMS V8 with qualifying the car well for both run offs. 2^nd and then 3^rd in the afternoon, but after a strong performance in the morning shoot out he had an off in the afternoon.  He must have chucked the car around too much!

Basil Pitt did his usual from the end of last year scoring points.  I think he could get a number this year.

Jon Waggit was out with the ex- Turnbull / Wishart Gould now in his traditional green colour scheme, with updated bodywork.  It looks really good.  He told me he is going to try to do a lot of the British rounds this year.  Unfortunately he didn’t qualify the car for either run off.  Better luck at Prescott.

Robert Kendrick had a really good first weekend in his newly acquired Force and qualified the car for both run offs and got a few points.  Another unusual qualifier for both run offs was Dave Kimberley in his Force.  He also got some good points.  Paul Haimes was there in his new 2 litre Dallara. He also went very well and showed that he could even get a number if he keeps up what he did at Loton. Tom New only qualified for one run off and he could have a tough against Paul Haimes.  Gurston regular Paul Webster had his first ever runs at Loton Park.  It seemed that he was going quick.

Matt Harrison was out in the ex-Geoff Rollason Pilbeam now with methanol power.  It still didn’t go very well because the transmission broke during practice when he was going round Hall bend.

Rob Turnbull told me he will be out at the next event at Prescott.  Hope he goes carefully.

Dave Wilson had his first outing of the year in his pink Caterham.  He seemed to be trying really hard going round Triangle because he was very sideways.

Mike Endean made a return to the hills in his X-trac Puma Gould. 

He had a fun weekend and the car seemed to go well.  He hopes to be out again at Prescott.

Deryk and Sue Young were not there as they are still on holiday.

Nick

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