Forget spending a fortune to watch 90 minutes of British Grand Prix at Silverstone, there's top all-day motorsport action at Gurston Down Speed Hillclimb on Sunday!
A full and mixed entry of cars ranging from the classic to the exotic, and from modified production Minis to 130mph, 600 horsepower Grand Prix-engined single seater racing cars will be on hand to entertain as drivers go for points in the two main championships at the daunting but scenic Wiltshire venue.
The entry includes TR Cars, Ferraris, modified production saloons and sports cars, Supersports cars, Sports Libre cars and racing cars with classes split according to engine capacity.
The drivers' aim is to ascend the narrow twisty tarmac-surfaced 967 metre course in the shortest time possible with acceleration and cornering grip at a premium.
The 2000 Gurston Down Hillclimb champion Andrew Semmens (Southampton) currently lies second in the 2001 series in his 1.4 litre Austin Mini, and will be attempting to reset his class record to regain the lead.
Also in this ultra-competitive modified production saloon class up to 1.4 litres are former champion Derek Mullis (Mini, Yeovil), Peter Arscott (Mini, Southampton), father and son Alan and Andrew Booth (Mini, Fordingbridge), Colin Smith (Nova GSi, Bournemouth) and Steve Harris (Mini,Cranborne).
Andy Russell (Alresford, Ginetta G15), another former champion makes a welcome return to Gurston, whilst in the up to 2 litre modprod saloons Verwood's Andy Bascombe (Escort Mk 2) will be looking for revenge against Cwmbran's Mike Rudge (EscortMk 1) following Rudge's win in June.
The up to 2 litre modprod sports car class sees class record-holder Peter D. Smith (WestfieldSEi, Wantage) back in the fray after engine problems with Gurston sponsor Jonathan Gates (Lymington) among those who will be chasing him hard. The Supersports class went to Fleet's Paul Lord in his Mallock in June, but Tim Pitfield (Dorchester), an instructor at Gurston's
Hillclimb Drivers School, can be relied upon to put up a spectacular chase. Andover farmer Geoff Hunt runs his classic 1.6 litre
Lotus 22 single seater in the Historically Interesting class.
Experienced Salisbury duo Chris Cannell (Pilbeam) and Karl Davison (Gould), pictured, will be among the quickest men up the hill in their pver 2000cc racing cars.
The action starts at 8.30am and lasts all day on the hill which is situated at Gurston Farm, Broadchalke, nine miles south west of Salisbury (turn off A354 at Coombe Bissett).
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article