As competitors and officials reflect on another successful edition of the annual late-season spectacle, Guernsey Kart and Motor Club speed captain Scott Rayson is aiming to introduce a new event to the programme next year.
But rather than adding a fourth day, this new event – utilising the roads near the Mount Hale football ground – will be at the expense of Le Grand Val.
‘That’s the one that impacts the locals the most,’ he said.
‘There’s a few that say, “It’s my favourite”, and it’s largely a flat-out run, one corner and a run to the finish. There’s not a lot to it.
‘This new one has got a little bit of everything – it’s got a hairpin, chicanes and a fast corner.’
The course is set to span 774m in its first running and, after that initial test, could grow to a kilometre or more in subsequent editions.
Rayson has received provisional approval from Motorsport UK and positive feedback from meetings so far.
‘I reckon I’m about 80% there for running this event next year,’ he said.
‘It’s our first new event in over 13 years.’
The Alderney hill climb has been running in some format since 1991, two years later adding a sprint and then taking on its current shape in 2013.
In the meantime, competitors can look forward to the return of the Petit Bot hill climb, which takes place on Saturday 3 October.
The GK&MC were looking to drop the loss-making event and had suggested that last year could have been the final edition.
It was included within this year’s calendar on a provisional basis but, with entries pushing beyond 40, recently received the go-ahead.
‘We will not make money, but it will not lose us a fortune,’ Rayson added.
‘That’s going ahead and again, that’s mostly cars, and I think there’s only eight to 10 bikes.
‘I’m pleased it’s running, because it’s my favourite.’
Prior to that season finale, the Imperial Hill Climb unfolds this Saturday.
