The track
was a little like Wiscombe, but wider. The hill started off over open ground
with sweeping cambered bend which you needed to power up. A very tight hairpin
bend came right back on itself - David Butler managed to go straight on here at
his first practice run. Many of the very low front air dams got a bit of a
scaping. You then powered up and away to the finish line. The top paddock had a
wonderful view right across the valley.
Andy Bell's
Prewar Aston. Photo - Anne Reed
The weather was
bright but chilly and the frost the night before was not appreciated by people
camping for the 2 days. The track was a bit damp and greasy in the morning but
dried out and got faster through the day. The class of Astons comprising of pre
wars right through to AM V8's created a lot of interest with the spectators and
officials alike. Our times impressed many of the competitors and showed that we
were there in earnest and not to just toddle up the hill.
David Reed, Stephen Ross and Peter Wilson in deep discussion.
Photo - Anne Reed
Peter Wilson easily won the class
in his DB4 with a time of 42.16 seconds. Peter, having never done a hillclimb
before proved that he was not only fast on the circuits but hillclimbs too!
David Reed came second in his V8 Vantage with 45.60 secs and Richard Butler,
third on 46.03. All received engraved glass tankards as prizes. The other Aston
entrants, in time order were: Anne Reed - V8 Vantage, Tony and John Reed who had
a good battle in the Mk III, Stephen Ross - DB4, David Butler - V8, Andy Bell -
AM Le Mans and Fred Blakemore - AM Ulster.
David Reed and Richard
Butler with their 2nd and 3rd Prize tankards. Photo - Anne
Reed
We have already received an invitation to next
years meeting. We can definitely recommend it as a good day out for both
competitors and their families - especially as Longleat House, exhibitions, play
park etc are all within walking distance for those who may not want to watch
cars all day.
