Local drivers ready their revved up vehicles

The country’s premier hillclimb series, the Nicholson McLaren British Hillclimb championship comes to Wiscombe Park on July 24/ 25.

Included in an entry are competitors contesting classes for saloon and sports cars in addition to the vintage Austin Sevens and Westfield sports cars.

A wide diversity of categories will see drivers from the Exeter area do battle for glory with Bob Rouse aboard his fleet Ford Fiesta battling in Woolbridge Motor Club 50th Anniversary Invitation class with the superb Cooper T39 ‘Bobtail’ of Sidmouth’s Reg Broome.

Mini exponent, Sidmouth’s Adrian Langley will contest the Modified Limited Production class with his 1380 cc Austin Mini but will have to contend with a brace of rapid Nissan GTiRs in the hands of Ian Yeo from Cullompton and Crediton’s Den Conibear.

Exeter’s Ian Hodgson will also be seeking a victory in the Road Going Specialist Production Car class but will have to defeat the likes of Cliff Conibear’s Lotus 23B and the rapid Westfield of Andy Cawsey from Westward Ho!

The 600-1100cc single-seater racing car category is well represented by local drivers with Awliscombe’s Dave Gardner at the wheel of his Empire 001 in addition to husband and wife team Liam and Olivia Cooper who will be campaigning their OMS CF. This trio and the other competitors in the class will certainly being mindful of Ed Hollier with his Terrapin Mk1/21. The Ottery St Mary driver’s success at Wiscombe Park can be gauged by the number of awards in his trophy cabinet. Gates open for the practice runs at 10am on both Saturday and Sunday with the all important championship runs commencing on Sunday morning. Admission: Saturday �6. Sunday: �9. Weekend ticket: �12. Accompanied children under 14 are free and car parking is free.