Willis holds his nerve for a third hillclimb title
Organiser: BARC Where: Loton Park, Shropshire When: September 23 Starters: 16
Trevor Willis clinched his third British Hillclimb Championship title after his closest rival failed to score in the penultimate round at Loton Park in Shropshire last Sunday.
Willis, driving an OMS 28, only took fourth in the morning Top 12 run-off but closest rival Will Hall, in a Force WH Xtec, overran in wet conditions at the track’s notorious Triangle Bend and failed to score, handing Willis the crown.
After taking a second place in the final round, Willis, who was also champion in 2012 and ’17, said: “I am so relieved to clinch the title as I only had a fragile lead coming into these last two rounds and Will was closing fast, however I do feel for him as he and his team are always hard to beat.”
Hall said: “I had high hopes coming here to Loton Park, but unfortunately I made a mistake in the first run-off which really scuppered my chances and then failed in the second one too, by simply trying too hard! I really should have done better much earlier in the season, but finishing second in the championship is my highest placing ever so I am delighted with that, and have major plans for the car so I am already looking towards next season in a very positive manner.”
Scottish driver Wallace Menzies, driving the latest Gould GR59 Cosworth, took second place in the first run-off and won the final run-off to secure a number three on his car for next year.
The highly competitive Midland Hillclimb Championship was won by Robert Kenrick, driving the latest GWR Raptor which is powered by a 1000cc BMW motorcycle engine and has been smashing class records at all three Midland venues of Prescott, Shelsley Walsh and Loton Park all year.