Saunders back on form at perfect Portelet finish

Motor racers rarely get the pleasure of competing in Torteval. Before last Saturday, the popular but infrequent hill climb had not taken place for a full three years.

The Guernsey Rally ventured this way in February 2023 and the details of next year's stage race are still to be revealed.

But a long day of seven timed runs up from Portelet, with the morning rain giving way to autumnal sunshine, proved most welcome and helped compensate for the wash-out season competitors have faced on Le Val des Terres.

Saunders not only brought his hill record under the 25sec. mark for the first time but broke the next major barrier too, his efforts culminating in a fourth run of 23.98sec.

‘It’s perfect. You can’t wish for any better really, finishing the season like that,’ he said.

Saunders, who will be unable to compete in this Saturday’s Petit Bot Hill Climb due to restrictions stopping race cars from tackling the narrow route, added: ‘Thanks to the people round here and the landowners for allowing us to do it.

‘It’s fantastic to have this as a secondary event for us this year, when you see how many people are here for it.

'They really enjoy it. We have had a lot of spectators and people in houses leaning over and watching away, which is quite cool.’

Colin de Jersey, who smashed the outright motorbikes record with 27.76, has another personal reason for loving the ‘Imp’.

‘I live by Torteval Church – this is my local hill climb,’ he said.

Beyond any advantage provided by local knowledge, de Jersey capitalised on a new HS2 TM bike that he called his ‘most capable yet’.

‘I’m 61 in two weeks and to break a record at this age is quite satisfying,’ the motorsport veteran added.

n Full report to follow.