Tim’s tinkering pays off

The Empire 00 driver finally broke the 28sec. barrier on Guernsey’s flagship hill, a massive achievement for any driver and not least within the limitations of a one-litre engine.

Tulie not only broke the barrier but shattered it, setting a huge personal best of 27.69sec.

He retired early, understandably content with his achievements, and would have taken FTD if not for pre-event favourite Nick Saunders later finding a 27.64.

‘I’m absolutely speechless, to be honest, to do a 27 in this little car,’ he said.

‘I’d always hoped it would happen but my best time last year [28.01], and this year [28.06], was very close but not there.

‘I spend many hours in the garage, as many people will know, to get the car to where it is and sometimes trying things that don’t work and going backwards with times, but after Alderney I made some slight suspension changes and a gearing change, which has worked, and the whole package is working great.’

The Guernsey Kart & Motor Club event concluded the season for racing cars, with next month’s technical Petit Bot – where single-seaters are not allowed – being the only remaining hill climb.

Matt Bougourd showed plenty of future promise in claiming third with 28.59.

‘Looking forward to 2024 already with Matt Bougourd coming through the ranks with a fantastic hat-trick of 28s today,’ Tulie added.

‘A great end to a fantastic season. I would like to also thank the GK&MC and all the marshals and officials that give up their time to put these events on for us.’

Naturally, Tulie lowered his own record in the Racing Cars 601-1,100cc, but five other marks tumbled throughout the day.

Craig Robert edged down his own Modified Limited Production Cars 1,401-2,000 mark to 33.23.

It was another meeting, another record for John Dunne as he lowered his own mark to 33.61 in the Road Going Series Production Cars unlimited.

Dunne went under his old record no fewer than five times on a flowing day when competitors got up to eight attempts on the hill.

Steve Marquis lowered his record in the Special Sand Race Saloons Four-Wheel Drive class to 33.76, made more notable by the fact his previous best was 11 years old.

It was another case of self-improvement for Pete Le Page in the British Bikes pre-1975 class, lowering the record to 37.66 on his Rickman 441.

The only record to change hands, then, came in the scooters.

It travelled from father to son – and in entertaining fashion.

The 17-year-old Harry Mann beat father Jez’s record (39.66) on the second timed run and lowered it to 37.82 over the course of the day.

Jez would have otherwise lowered his own record to 39.23, but Harry was the better Mann on the day.

‘He has always asked for competition, but he has finally got some,’ Harry said.

‘I did not expect to go that fast.

‘Once I first beat the record, I thought there’s more potential for this.’

However, the youngster’s choice to use the shared-ride 246cc Lambretta came from unusual circumstances, as he explained.

‘At the start of the day, my main bike blew up and I made the decision to ride this. Luckily I am able to ride it.’

Andy Mechem was the overall king on two wheels after a consistently strong series, peaking at 34.11 on his final run.

Competition for second spot proved very tight but Owen Poynder got the edge with 34.65, just 0.12sec. ahead of Kieran Robilliard.

But the day came to a bitter and slightly early end when motorsport stalwart Anthony Poynder suffered a nasty crash, which required ambulance attention.

His son, Owen, reassured members of the GK&MC on social media that the injuries are ‘nothing life-threatening or life-changing long term’.