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WIGHT JNR WINS, THEN FLEETWOOD TAKES RECORD
Photos: John Charters

2001 and 2002 Hill Climb Champion Graeme Wight Jnr managed to prize open 2003 Champion Adam Fleetwood’s iron grip on the Nicholson McLaren British Hill Climb Championship at Prescott, but only for a lone round before the blue Gould went to the top of the Gloucestershire hill in 36.99 seconds to set an outright hill record, breaking his own hill record from last September of 37.24 seconds. In a weekend in which there was torrential rain on Saturday, it was amazing that the hill dried out sufficiently for a record attempt to even be on the cards, but Fleetwood had no trouble in flinging his V8 to the top in the first ever sub 37 second time ever. He continues to lead this year’s championship after four rounds.

Wight Jnr said after the day’s sport, “I know that I had it in me to beat Adam today, but the car was a little light on the rear and I was loathed to change anything in case I went the wrong way, but Adam did the time at the end of the day and he got the record.”

Martin Groves showed up many others with his two third places in his less-than-new Gould, but Roger Fleetwood’s 40.02 second run in the afternoon was proof he can run well up the order.

Rob Turnbull had a damaging accident on Saturday afternoon necessitating a trip back to Gould Engineering in Newbury and an overnight re-build for the silver single seater. For Turnbull to get a fifth in the second run-off is all the more impressive.

The next round of the championship is Barbon on May 15th.