MORE THAN 130 top hillclimb drivers and cars plus over 30 riders and motorcycles compete at Gurston Down Speed Hillclimb this weekend in rounds of the British Hillclimb Championship.

In was has so far been a very open and competitive championship, Oxfordshire's Martin Groves, outright record holder at Gurston Down, edged into the smallest possible lead with 68 points from a successful weekend in his 3.5 Gould GR55B at the last rain-affected rounds at Barbon, Cumbria and Harewood, Yorkshire.

But hard on his heels are Ludlow, Shropshire-based son and father team Scott (67 points) and Roger Moran (66 points) in their 3.5 Gould GR61X. And Gurston Down Hillclimb Drivers School chief instructor Simon Durling (fourth on 57 points) from Worcestershire, has scored consistently well this season in his 2.6 Gould GR55B, and will certainly be competitive.

Viewers of the BBC's South Today programme will be able to see Durling teaching local transport correspondent Paul Clifton how to drive the hill this week.

Practice (three runs) starts at 8.30am on Saturday with another practice run on Sunday (8.30) followed by the competition - puls the two- and three-wheeled motorcycle action, with over 30 amazing bikes and sidecar/trike outfits.

Gurston Farm is nine miles SW of Salisbury after turning off the A354 at Coombe Bissett.