Tenbury Wells driver Alex Summers is the new British Hill Climb Champion after two emphatic wins at Doune in Scotland over the weekend.
However, the season ‘Finale’ takes place at Loton Park Hill Climb, near Shrewsbury, this coming weekend (26/27th) where the competition will still be fierce as current champion Scott Moran, of Ludlow, will be fighting for the remaining seeded positions with top drivers Wallace Menzies and 2012 champion Trevor Willis.
Scott commented: “I am absolutely thrilled that young Alex has won the title in our shared car, he lead after the third round and has driven extremely maturely ever since. I have only competed in a limited number of rounds but the car itself, our Gould GR61X, must surely be the most successful car in hill climbing, having already taken me to five titles.
“The coming weekend at Loton Park promises to have a real festival atmosphere as we can celebrate Alex’s fantastic achievement yet still enjoy the final battle for 2nd, 3rd and 4th places, which Wallace, Trevor or myself can still secure.”
Speaking after his win, Alex, aged 24, said: “It was such a relief to secure the title as it seems to have been a very long and tiring season. I am more used to chasing the pack rather than leading, so I had to drive with total commitment but sensibly, while making sure that I didn’t put the car through the hedge.
“The car itself has performed superbly and the amazing support from my family and other competitors – who I think of as an extended family – has enabled me to tick this box and realise a dream.”
A capacity entry has been accepted for the weekend where final positions for several makes and championships will be settled, including the ever-popular Midland Hill Climb Championship and Allswage Championship, together with classes in the Hagley Members Championship.
A wide range of classic, sports, saloons and racing cars will be competing against the clock up the tight and demanding parkland course. County entries include Charles Williams of Claverley in a Pilbeam, Jamie Powell of Telford in a Mitsubishi, Tim Higgins of Morda in a Westfield, Tim Cross of Ludlow in a Vauxhall Nova and Ruth Marshall of Shrewsbury in a Mazda MX5.
The action starts each day at 9.15am with practice and qualifying on Saturday, then timed competition runs in programme order with full commentary on Sunday, followed by two ‘Top 12 Run-Offs’ for the fast cars after the morning and afternoon sessions.