ONE of Britain's oldest motoring institutions, the Westmorland Motor Club, has organised this Saturday's Barbon Sprint Hill Climb for cars.

Founded in 1910, the WMC has a distinquished history of motor sport in the country, catering for two, three and four-wheeled competition and this event is the club's biggest meeting of the season.

Run on the driveway to Barbon Manor, near Kirkby Lonsdale, this speed event is part of the National Hillclimb Championships and attracts the country's top drivers.

Entries range from a locally-owned 1932 3.9 litre Chapman Mercury to the latest 2003 Gould single-seater racing car.

Quicker off the mark than a Formula One Grand-Prix car, modern hillclimb cars are designed for explosive acceleration and responsive handling over a tight course with hair-pin bends and bumpy surfaces.

Top speeds at Barbon are around 120mph and all on a roadway between nine and 12 feet wide.

Lady drivers have also entered, something not unusual in hillclimbing.

There are 16 classes of vehicle, graded by engine size and body-type.

Each competitor completes two timed practice runs in the morning and two timed competitive runs in the afternoon. In addition, the 12 fastest drivers have a further two runs to count towards the championships. Given suitably dry conditions, David Grace's three-year-old record of 20.86 seconds could well fall.

To get to Barbon, take the A65 to Kirkby Lonsdale and turn left on the A683 at Devil's Bridge towards Sedbergh, then follow the blue signs.

Entry cost £7 for adults with Under-15s free.

Practice starts at 9.30am with the main event at 2pm. No dogs are allowed entry.

May 9, 2003 13:00