Uphill Racers: The History of British Speed Hill Climbing

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One of the very few cars in the British Sprint Championship to complete all the rounds in 2017 as it did in 2016. It has regularly made the BSC Top 12 Run Off, finishing 12th overall in 2016 and 11th in 2017. Midget/Sprite FR06 EYE, 1973 the well known Hillclimb & Sprint car “ Kermit “ WINNER of the HEALEYSPORT CHAMPIONSHIP in 2018. It has been a competitive clubmans car having given me regular event class wins as well as both HSA Speed and Midland Speed Championships class trophies.

The 100% Belgian-designed racecar is powered by a 2.0L 4-cylinder TFSI with 380 horsepower and has a sequential 6-speed paddle-shift Quaife gearbox. The carbon fibre chassis allows the car to only weigh 925kg. It is managed by a Bosch Motorsport calculator and has a MoTeC instrument cluster and PDM for full telemetry. The car has been driven during set-up testing, race testing and the race itself. All components are functional and in perfect condition. It is eligible for hillclimbing competitions and is notably pre-selected to take part at Pikes Peak.Race to the Sky was based near Queenstown. Held every Easter from 1998 until 2007, it starts from the floor of the Cardrona Valley and runs uphill for 15km (9.3mi) through 137 corners to the top, climbing from 1,500ft (460m) to 5,000ft (1,500m) averaging a 1:11 gradient. This particular 1966, red, Johnny Walker JW4 has quite a comprehensive history of past owners and competition over the last 50 years and has probably one of the most complete histories of all the surviving JW4's of which more detail can be provided on request.

Fitted with a Richardson FVA which has competed in only two events since rebuild and fully race prepared to a very high standard. Ideal for the HSCC and Peter Auto F2 championships and the Derek Bell series, the Chevron would also be very competitive in Classic Hillclimbs. With 2017 representing the 50 th Anniversary of Formula Ford 1600 interest in these cars has been rekindled with the setting up of the Pre ’94 FF Register and the Hillclimb FF Fest – read more in Simon McBeath’s article elsewhere in this issue. This is a rare example of a Formula Ford 1600 from the iconic Northern Ireland constructor Crossle.It is fitted with Mistral 1400 Hyabusa engine with big valves last rebuilt mid 2015. It has an SBD ECU and loom with their latest dash display. This highly developed Clubmans began life as a very successful circuit car and has subsequently been converted to a turbocharged hillclimb and sprint contender with a very competitive power to weight ratio. A multiple class winner in hands of John Barnard in the 1996 and 1997 Castle Combe GT series, the car benefitting from extensive development from Gould Engineering during this time. Having been recently restored it would originally have been fitted with a 250cc Villiers engine but is currently fitted with a 500cc single cylinder GM speedway engine and a Norton gearbox.

Force PT, the ex Findlay Whyte car, with full carbon tub. Suzuki Hayabusa, bored to 1400cc by Extreme Engines.Fisher Fury with recent MS UK log book (2022). Last used in HSA National sprint / hillclimb series specialist production modified class 2022. Was quite competitive but needs a better driver. RPE Suzuki Hayabusa engine with MBE dry sump system. MBE 9A4 ECU controlling engine and XoomBox ECU to control air paddle flatshift, traction control, launch control and data logging. Very successful and reliable, the T65 has been campaigned continuously over the last 10 years, mainly in the FIA Lurani Championship where it won class E2 in 2014, 2015 and 2016. The T65 has raced at all the major Grand Prix Circuits and many other major events including Laguna Seca, Watkins Glen and the Vernasca Silver Flag. The T65 was invited to the Goodwood Revival in 2018 where it competed in the Chichester Cup. Grant Cratchley's Lotus was originally restored in New Zealand by preparation specialists Formtool Engineering in 2000, and has subsequently benefited from:engine rebuild and new clutch (Aldon Engineering),gearbox rebuild (McClurg Motorsport),geometry set up (McClurg Motorsport), conversion toexternal water pipes (Peter Denty)as well as replacement battery, silencer, driveshaft couplings, master cylinders, brakes and regular fluid changes. It is complete with a set of FF steel wheels with tyres, a fitted cover, tonneau and a history file including invoices for work carried out, a Motorsport UK log book and NZ papers.