Competitors and spectators alike enjoyed a full day of gorgeous sun in Guernsey’s own British Hillclimb Championship event, but ultimately the Scottish star shone the brightest with his 26.17sec. clocking in the first of two run-offs.
His previous record of 26.47 had lasted three years, despite the speed at which hill climbing tends to progress.
Yet after a new record effort in his 3.3-litre Gould GR59M, which he backed up with a 26.34 to win the second run-off, he was reluctant to take too much credit personally.
‘I’m really, really pleased with the efforts of the whole team,’ said a driver who also lowered the Guernsey Motorcycle and Car Club’s Racing Cars 2,001 and over record to 26.98 in qualifying.
‘We blew an engine last time out, before we came to Jersey, so it was a big rush and a lot of pressure on them to get it back together.
‘It’s gone really well in Jersey, and to come here and do this today, the hill felt really good from the first run.
‘That showed by everybody’s pace. I’m absolutely delighted with the effort they’ve put in, but to be able to take the two wins, there’s not many days where you score the maximum 22 points ever – it’s a really special day.’
Going in ranked third in the championship, he got the upper hand on rivals Will Hall and Matthew Ryder by not only taking two 10-point wins, but a bonus of one both times he beat the old record.
He dominated the first run-off from Ryder (26.86) and Hall (27.03).
But there was plenty of local interest too, with in-form Steve Brehaut taking eighth with 28.11, just ahead of Matt Bougourd’s massive performance of 28.31 and Nick Saunders also edging into the top 10 just 0.02sec. further back.
Hall got significantly closer in the second run-off, posting 26.66, as Ryder took third in 27.36.
But Brehaut rose to the occasion by taking fourth in a dazzling personal best of 27.75. Saunders (28.23) and Bougourd (28.43) also edged into the top 10.
Other star domestic performances included Jackie Le Cheminant posting 29.51 – incredibly her first sub-30sec. effort – to edge women’s honours and young motorcyclist Jamie Bacon’s stunning PB of 33.39 in taking two-wheeled bragging rights.
Read more on the top Guernsey performances in Monday’s Press and online.
