Wiscombe Park Hillclimb 29th July

[ChrisD]

Hi Guys,
The South West Group are having a day out spectating at Wiscombe Park Hillclimb on Sunday 29th July, and will welcome any other Gilbern members to join them on the day. More should be in the June Rarebit when published. It is a very significant year, as it was 50 years ago in 1962 that the first Gilbern GT of Ray Eve went up Wiscombe Park Hillclimb in 1962. So it would be nice to get as many Gilberns in the car park to mark the occasion. I have been talking to Gilbern Hillclimbers old, and new, and a couple of them are going to try to enter the event, so we may see Gilberns going up the hill again.

It is a MSA British Hillclimb Championship round, so you will see the top cars, including F1 powered single seaters. There is also classes for pre war Austin Sevens, and Aston Martins. Saturday will be a practice day. The event is run by Woolbridge Motor Club, and entry forms are on their website, for competitors, while admission for spectators is, £10 per adult, children under 14 free. Hope to see as many of you as possible.

Kind regards

Chris

[Maurice]

Hi Chris
On the way home on Wednesday night I got to thinking about our day at Wiscombe and wondered if it was possible to have a spot where all the Gilberns could gather. The Crashbox Club always has a bit of a stand in the park at the top of the hillclimb and away from the main parking area. Duncan Gilbert might be able to help us on this. His Gilbern always appears to be in the inner sanctum at Wiscombe Park. Being 50 years of Gilberns at Wiscombe I would hope the organisers would see some mileage in a show of same. Maybe we can sell some of BG's books
The other thought was to all meet at a set time on the approaches to from Wiscombe and arrive in convoy so at least we all park together. We could meet say the Fox and Hounds on the Honiton Sidmouth road which only a mile or so from Wiscombe and should suit most folk from which ever direction they come.
The alterative is we will arrive at differant times and be scattered around the carpark as the marshals line folk up as they arrive. Just a few thoughts
Kind regards Maurice

[ChrisD]

Hi Maurice,
Thanks for your post, I was thinking the same thing. I have spoken to Woolbridge Motor Club, and they are very sorry, but being the British Championship round space is at a premium, with more motorhomes, spectators etc. They did say they think they could do something for us at their April meeting, although this year it was rained off.

Kind regards Chris

[Maurice]

Hi Chris
Thanks for your reply. Maybe we can discuss it when we meet in July and see if the plan B will work, that we meet somewhere outside and arrive in convoy so at least we can all park up together.
Kind regards Maurice

[Nickvan]

Hi Chris,

As mentioned in our call the other day, sadly I shall be unable to make it as it is Mrs V's 50th birthday (shsss..) that weekend; miss that and I might find myself sharing the garage with the Mk3! Have you been in touch with Nigel Ellis? I think he and I share the record for the number of times we won the Wiscombe Cup.

All the best

Nick

[Tree man]

I'm going to try to get an entry as I thought it was one of the best hills I've raced on and I'm expecting that my car will be back together and reliable. Unfortunately this means I'll not be able to make the National Weekend as I'll need to be spannering away putting it all back together in time for a bit of testing as I have a weekend of events in a couple of weeks time

[ChrisD]

Hi Nick, sorry missed your post earlier. Spoke with Nigel weeks ago, and he is unfortunately on Holiday.

[Tree man]

Unfortunately even though I got an entry and the Gilbern is running very well I have had to cancel my visit late in the day as my tow car has broken down . So instead of spending the weekend racing on one of the best hills in the country I've taken a couple of days off to have the pleasure of dealing with second hand car salesmen and then spend next weekend getting the spanners out to fix the old car to get it to a point where it's saleable. Given the dent this has put in my budget I think it won't be until September when I next venture out - probably to Thoresby.

[Fareham GT]

Hi All,

A great day out and 3 Gilberns in the car park, shades of the good old days! In honour of us being there the course record, which had stood since 2004 was broken, however not by a Gilbern!

Wiscombe offers the best of both worlds, when it is hot and sunny you can sit and watch the cars on the hill, and when it rains you can retreat to the beer tent for a very nice pint of Otter and somee good conversation. Bring on next year.

Fareham GT