Loton Park Speed Hill Climb course is set in the beautiful surroundings of a deer park owned by Sir Michael Leighton, and is situated 9 miles west of Shrewsbury on the B4393 road in the village of Alberbury. The course is 1475 yards (1349 metres) long with an average gradient of 1 in 25 (4%) and the steepest of 1 in 7 (14%) and is rated as one of the country’s most demanding hills by competitors.
Here’s what the hill looks like (click on the map to enlarge):
This year, the event clashed with the Goodwood Revival weekend so entries were down on previous years. This meant that the atmosphere was even more relaxed than usual.
Five members in three wheelers entered this event, held over two days. Saturday was practice day and Sunday was the day for timed runs. Maxine Fack, Rob Pike and Steve Lister all entered Class 2 (standard and modified) in their Super Aeros while Sue Darbyshire and Alistair Rew were in Class 14 (pre-1941 Racing Cars).
On Sunday, there was one run in the morning followed by an early lunch. Second runs followed lunch and most people wandered home mid-afternoon before the rain. Lunchtime chat in the Darbyshire “pit” included discussions with Chris Williams of Napier Bentley and Vincent outfit fame about the pros and cons of spare wheel/sprocket sets for Sue’s car. At least 6 wheels would be needed to cope with normal variations of ratios so George decided to stay with the tried and tested method of one wheel, multiple sprockets and oily hands.
Steve Lister claimed Class 2 and the Vintage award with Rob Pike in third place (claiming Second Vintage). In Class 14 there wasn’t much to choose between Sue Darbyshire who came fourth (with second Vintage) and Alistair Rew, less than a second behind.
Photos are from Dennis Rushton and Steve Uprichard. To view the photo gallery, click on any of the photos to bring up a larger version. You can scroll forwards and backwards using the [,] and [.] keys. Press [ESC] or click on the image to Exit.
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- Rob Pike at Hall
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- Steve Lister at Hall
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- Alistair Rew at Hall
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- Lunchtime in the paddock. Chris Williams tries to push Sue’s Morgan backwards over George while Sues Darbyshire and Weeks look on.
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- Sue Darbyshire took one of the Air Cadets up the hill after the lunch break. This photo was taken before the lass had flies stuck to her teeth.
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- Alistair Rew about to change up
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- Maxine Fack exits Triangle
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- Steve Lister leaning hard into Triangle
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- Sue Darbyshire presses on, tresses blowing in the wind.
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- Rob Pike.
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- Maxine Fack heads towards Museum
OK…. Chris Williams doesn’t drive a Morgan but his Napier Bentley is almost as dramatic. Watch him making smoke as he heads towards the finish line.
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- Chris Williams exits Museum at Loton Park and switches the smoke on
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- Straightening up and putting his foot down
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- Going
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- Going
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- Gone!!
The results (click on the image to enlarge).
