Dean determined to beat the best

As we continue with our Guernsey Press Sporting Achievement of the Year countdown, Simon Tostevin talks to hill-climb star Mike Dean MIKE DEAN is still waiting on that elusive first national hill-climb championship win.

Nine times in this year's championship, Dean had to settle for second place behind the eventual and deserving champion, Martin Groves.

'It was very frustrating to say the least. You give it your best shot but Grove's performances all season were absolutely stonking,' said Dean.

'No matter how hard you pushed him, he always had something extra.'

The 2005 Nicholson McLaren British Speed Hill-Climb Championship ended in September with Dean placing fourth just one point behind Willem Toet in third.

'We had a few teething problems with the car in the beginning so I didn't start the season off too well.

'When I look back at the 34 rounds, I ask myself if I could have driven better - I say yes, but I guess there are other drivers out there who think the exact same.'

Two of those nine second place finishes were rounds 21 and 22 at Le Val des Terres where Dean set a new personal best of 29.71 for his own hill during an action-packed meet.

Time and again cars spun or hit a bank and the 'wrecker' did more miles going up and down the hill than it usually does in an entire season.

The 29.71 might have improved on his domestic best but it was still good enough only for second in round 21 as Groves, going third from last, clocked 29.60.

'When I saw his 29.6, I thought I could do it.

For the second run-off - round 22 of the championship - three Guernseymen made it into the top 12.

Jason King, who had lost it on the bottom of the straight in the first run-off, was in the mix again, and this time Ian Le Messurier had got through.

King and Le Messurier posted 31.74 and 33.19 respectively and by the time Dean came to the line, Toet led with a 30.13.

No local since Andy Priaulx had won a Guernsey round of the national and Dean's hopes were briefly raised when he registered 30.05.

Groves, though, again ducked into the 29s with a 29.61 and Dean had to wait for another year.

The Channel Islands rounds were profitable for him, nevertheless.

'I picked up 34 points out of 40 in Guernsey and Jersey. That's nothing to be sniffed at.'

The Guernseyman also revealed at the Val des Terres meet that he had helped keep the Groves show on the road after the Englishman had damaged his third gear in the morning practice.

'In the lunchtime break, we took off the side of the gearbox and sorted out the ratios. We all help each other out.

'The camaraderie between the drivers is great.

'We make sure the racing stays on the track because we are all friends that will go out for a drink and socialise afterwards.'

Despite so many near misses this year and Groves still around in 2006, Dean has not given up hope of claiming a first race victory next season.

'I want to win by beating the best, so I wouldn't want him or any of the other drivers to have mechanical problems or spin off to gift it to me.

'The problem is that without winning before, you are never quite sure how to clinch that first victory.'

But with the new season to start in April, the Guernseyman is already starting preparations and setting his objectives, which include a race victory before the season rolls into the Channel Islands.

'Le Val des Terres is the hill I know really well so it is to my advantage, but I'd like to think by the time we come here in July that I had already claimed a couple of victories.

'The engine has already gone back to Nicholson McLaren for a checkover and in March the car is going to Gould Engineering for its modifications, but I'll also be looking to get fit over the winter for a few test days ahead of the new season.'

Dean, who is sponsored by Milano's Pizzeria and cici.com, thanked Condor Ferries for their travel assistance during the season but saved the last word for all the Team Moose Racing crew.

'Without their help, I would not be able to compete at a top level,' he said.