Kop Hill
#1
Posted 24 September 2009 - 20:08
"I shall be marshalling at Kop Hill this weekend - Orgy of 200 old cars and motorbikes at the old hill climb venue near Princes Risborough. [url="http://www.kophillclimb.org.uk/""]http://www.kophillclimb.org.uk/"[/url]
Anyone else know about this, and the history of the course? Any TNFers going?
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#2
Posted 24 September 2009 - 20:36
Edited by RS2000, 24 September 2009 - 20:36.
#3
Posted 24 September 2009 - 20:54
In its heyday the national speed limit was 20 m.p.h., whereas it's now 60!Kop Hill was one of the better known of the many "illegal" public road hill climbs that ended in the 1920s with the law being enforced. I believe there is some sort of event being held to recall it. I assume there is a formal road closure to enable the procession/demonstration but of course the national speed limit will remain on the mainland without an Act of Parliament (and there sure as hell won't be one for such as this...).
Nicholson tells us that "the timed distance was usually 3/4 mile"
At the final meeting in 1925 FTD was Segrave's GP Sunbeam at 28.8sec, so I doubt the full 3/4 was used as that's about 94 m.p.h. up a hill that was 1:5 in places and probably from a standing start.
Don't think they'll demonstrate as fast as that . . .
#4
Posted 24 September 2009 - 21:05
Although not the worst of it's kind, this incident caused a huge stink, possibly due to the high profile of the event and it's proximity to London. The RAC soon declined to licence any more speed events on public roads and the sport was decimated overnight. Hundreds of popular and well supported events suddenly ceased and hillclimbing literally shrunk to Shelsley Walsh , and almost nowhere else, for a number of years.
Edited by simonlewisbooks, 24 September 2009 - 21:06.
#5
Posted 24 September 2009 - 21:17
The spectator, according to R.R. Jackson, reported in Nicholson, had been asked to move farther back out of harm's way, but exercised his right to do what he liked. Despite that, it was the last straw and as Simon said, the RAC pulled the plug before it was otherwise would have been forced to.
As it happened a Bill was before Parliament which would have permitted the closing of public roads for racing as was already possible (and still is) in Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man but, after the RAC (and A-CU and RSAC) withdrew permits for speed events on the public highway, it was not proceeded with.
A great shame, that.
#6
Posted 25 September 2009 - 05:50
The centenary event commemorating the first climb is next year - see the website.
#7
Posted 25 September 2009 - 07:52
First I had heard of this event.Fist attempt at that link produced a 'this website is not available' message-you need to delete the sufix!Just heard from an old friend
"I shall be marshalling at Kop Hill this weekend - Orgy of 200 old cars and motorbikes at the old hill climb venue near Princes Risborough. [url="http://www.kophillclimb.org.uk/""]http://www.kophillclimb.org.uk/"[/url]
Anyone else know about this, and the history of the course? Any TNFers going?
Bit late to organize a trip-shame as seems its within walking distance of rail station,which no current UK circuit or hill climb can claim? Maybe I will make it for centenary event next year.
#8
Posted 25 September 2009 - 09:15
First I had heard of this event.Fist attempt at that link produced a 'this website is not available' message-you need to delete the sufix!
Bit late to organize a trip-shame as seems its within walking distance of rail station,which no current UK circuit or hill climb can claim? Maybe I will make it for centenary event next year.
Yes the event seems to have slipped in under the radar for most of us . I would have made an effort to be there if I wasn't already booked in for Prescott.
Maybe next year and we can have a TNF get-together?
It'll be interesting to hear from anyone who attends this weekend. Old photos from eventa at Kop feature in many books so a then-and-now comparision would be good.
Slightly O/T - Does the name of the hill have anything to do with the Boer War I wonder? There was a famous battle at Spion Kop in about 1899 and I think the word means 'hill' in Afrikaans ? For some reason in Britain we have a peculiar habit of naming places after the locations of apparant military disasters - a lot of towns boast a Dunkirk Road or a Balaclava Terrace or a pub named something similar!
#9
Posted 25 September 2009 - 09:28
Unfortunately already treble-booked this weekend for work, meetings and family stuff.
Certainly looks like something worth supporting with our attendance next time.
#10
Posted 25 September 2009 - 09:38
By the way, how about a TNF sticker or car badge, or do they already exist, Barry?
#11
Posted 25 September 2009 - 09:57
#12
Posted 25 September 2009 - 19:45
Yes the event seems to have slipped in under the radar for most of us . I would have made an effort to be there if I wasn't already booked in for Prescott.
Maybe next year and we can have a TNF get-together?
It'll be interesting to hear from anyone who attends this weekend. Old photos from eventa at Kop feature in many books so a then-and-now comparision would be good.
Slightly O/T - Does the name of the hill have anything to do with the Boer War I wonder? There was a famous battle at Spion Kop in about 1899 and I think the word means 'hill' in Afrikaans ? For some reason in Britain we have a peculiar habit of naming places after the locations of apparant military disasters - a lot of towns boast a Dunkirk Road or a Balaclava Terrace or a pub named something similar!
I'm pretty sure (but haven't checked) that Chris Mason's "Uphill Racers" mentions that Kop Hill was named after Spion Kop (as is the Cop end of some stadium where 11 bags of wind kick around another bag of wind?).
#13
Posted 19 April 2011 - 17:37
Slightly O/T - Does the name of the hill have anything to do with the Boer War I wonder? There was a famous battle at Spion Kop in about 1899 and I think the word means 'hill' in Afrikaans ? For some reason in Britain we have a peculiar habit of naming places after the locations of apparant military disasters - a lot of towns boast a Dunkirk Road or a Balaclava Terrace or a pub named something similar!
Yes, "kop" refers to a rather large hill or even the summit of a mountain range. Spioenkop actually means something like "spy's hill".
The most common meaning, though, is the same as the english word "head".
#14
Posted 19 April 2011 - 19:07
#15
Posted 19 April 2011 - 19:17
http://en.wikipedia....le_of_Spion_Kop
#16
Posted 19 April 2011 - 19:48
Local legend has it that when a cyclist looked up from the foot of the hill he would 'cop-out' and find another way.
#17
Posted 21 April 2011 - 10:28
The only sporting event that used it when I lived there was the Tour Of Britain (Milk Race) in 60's or 70's.
Edited by Concreteconrods, 21 April 2011 - 10:31.
#18
Posted 19 September 2011 - 18:22
#19
Posted 19 September 2011 - 20:18
#21
Posted 20 September 2011 - 08:53
#22
Posted 20 September 2011 - 12:13
Which reveals the rather disturbing fact that Stan and Olly will be there! (see comments on Goodwood Revival thread).
I have some issues with the way this event is promoted. "Storming" the hill appears in the link and "Attacking" the hill in a post above. I haven't looked at every line on the web site but the impression is definitely created that this is a competitive event/recognised competition. The same occurred on another forum. Surely it's (necessarily) a non-competitive demonstration and the very last thing needed at a time when closing public roads for motor sport is closer to being on the official agenda than ever before - and ironic that Kop Hill was where the earlier "turning a blind eye" was ended, driving speed events off public roads. ("Speed" in its official MSA context, many of us were road rally competitors once....).
#23
Posted 21 September 2011 - 10:55
This Saturday (24th) and Sunday (25th). Kop Hillclimb 2011.
Thanks, I have already committed to being at Loton Park! So another year slips by!!!