Spectators were held in suspense this weekend as they awaited the outcome of a photo finish at a Shelsley Walsh Hill Climb.
Two drivers finished within 100th of a second of each other at the club’s first major speed event of the year, called Speed into Spring on May 3rd and 4th.
It was Will Hill, a charismatic driver from Halestown who emerged victorious at the end of the event. He set the fastest time of the day and took both the Midland Hill Climb Championship top 12 run-offs. This was after he had arranged further development work for his 350cc V6 Force.
Mr Hill’s nearest competitor on the final race of the day was Trevor Willis, a local driver and 2012 British Champion who was driving an OMS 28.
On Saturday, drivers were given plenty of time to practice for the event before the real action could get under-way on Sunday.
For winning their class, drivers could obtain nine points down to one point depending on the amount of entries. Those who were able to lower their class record would also get a bonus point. The end of the morning was then followed by the run offs.
Two women proved the girls can be just as good as the boys when it comes to racing, as Sue Young and Tina Hawkes were among the fastest 12 drivers of the day and qualified for the run-off stages.
Ms Young, a Hereford driver, is the current outright hill record holder. She drove a Gould GR51 and gained 11 points.
Meanwhile, Ms Hawkes, who is from Worcester, made her run-off debut in a Force PC and managed to achieve two points.
The day also saw the return of some high scoring racers from previous Speed into Spring events. Reigning Midland champion Rob Stevens won his class following two consistent runs that took 26.46 seconds and 26.45 seconds, setting the benchmark for the season. He was driving a Force Sports Racing SR4.
Last year’s champion runner-up, Hereford driver Mike Turpin, also managed to win his class comfortably in his Vauxhall VX 220.
In the 1100cc racing car class, Chris Aspinall was a clear winner over the other 25 entries. In his latest technology Empire Wraith single seater he was able to set a class time of 26.85 seconds.
The event was also attended by a top ten finisher in the 2013 Midland Championship. Robert Lancaster-Gaye won the Roadgoing Series Production car over 2000cc class in his Porsche 996 GT3. Second place was taken by a local man, Peter Cox, in his new Subaru Impreza.
As ever, the Paul Matty Sports Car Lotus Championship proved to be a popular one. It was the sponsor’s wife, June Matty, who managed to take away a class win. She did this in her Lotus FJ20/22. Ian Parmenter also managed to take away a class win in his Lotus Elan S4. Respective second place winners in this championship were John Palmer and Geoff Stallard.
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