42 replies to this topic

[Rupertlt1]

Time to start a new thread documenting the history of:

 

Valence Hill Climb, Sevenoaks & District Motor Club

 

28 July 1962 FTD Alistair Crawford, Lotus Elite, 33.28 sec, (inaugural event)

27 July 1963 FTD Peter Meldrum, Lotus 7-Ford, 32.31 sec (course lengthened "by a few yards")

25 July 1964 FTD Charles Saunders, Lola Mark 1, 32.78 sec

24 July 1965 FTD Gordon Parker, s/c Cooper-Climax, 30.46 sec

23 July 1966 FTD Don Harris, DMF 3, 30.44 sec

22 July 1967 FTD Don Harris, DMF, 30.52 sec

27 July 1968 FTD Don Harris, DMF 1500, 30.06

26 July 1969 FTD Peter Voigt, DRW-Imp, 30.5 sec (Inter-club contest with Club Sportif Automobile du Nord from Lille) 

26 July 1970 FTD Peter Voigt, Ginetta Imp G17, 29.80 (9th event)

24 July 1971 Peter Voigt (Ginetta G17B Imp) 29.3 BTD & Record

22 July 1972 P. Voigt (4.2 Palliser WDH1 Repco) 30.22 sec

7 July 1973

13 July 1974

12 July 1975 FTD Graham Watts, March 733, 32.57 sec

10 July 1976 FTD Dr. Roger Willoughby, Techcraft-Buick, 30.4 sec

9 July 1977

1978 FTD Roger Willoughby, March 712S Buick, 28.71 secs 

7 July 1979 FTD Roger Willoughby, March Buick, 28.09 secs (18th event)

5 July 1980

10 July 1982

7 July 1984

1985 FTD John Istead, Mallock (Was this a Mk 18?)

1986 FTD Dr. Roger Willoughby, U2 Mk 21/24

4 July 1987

8 July 1989

6 July 1991

3 July 1993

 

RGDS RLT 

Edited by Rupertlt1, 25 July 2021 - 03:33.

[glyn parham]

The hillclimbs came about as a result of the Valence School open days which started not long after it opened. Essentially a fund raising event for the residents (who were and still are physically and mentally handicapped) motoring displays were an early feature that eventually led to the very short hillclimb. Photographs of the early displays are still to be seen on the walls of the main hall and corridors.
I recall that James Tiller and his fearsome Allard were just one of many regular competitors over the years.
Glyn

[RS2000]

I may still have results for mid-90s.
(modesty forbids me from mentioning who won his class first time there against the regulars)

The secret to Valence was not to stick too closely (well, not at all really) to track limits. It was run in high summer and was usually dry enough for the Esses to become the straight for anyone with working suspension...

[sterling49]

There was a demonstration event this summer, and hopefully, a return to a full competitive event in the future. It was a great summer’s day out, for a good cause .

[Dutchy]

I went to the first such demonstration event in 2016. I cannot see how the course with its post Dunblane security gates could be made long enough for a competitive event to be viable, sadly.

[Rupertlt1]

Alastair Crawford (1962 winner) is a name that turns up in modern day hillclimbing - any relation?

 

RGDS RLT

[glyn parham]

I believe that Alistair died in the 70's, he was a member of the same motor club as my parents and he attended many of the same events as I did as a competitor or organiser. I recall him racing for Alan Fraser and later in his own Jaguar in the first 6 hour sports car race at Brands Hatch where he finished in the top three.
He was from Marden in the fruit growing centre of the county and always had use of the best cars of the time.
Glyn

[Rupertlt1]

Bodiam Hill Climb, 13 October 1962 

Autosport reported:

"whilst the S.S.F.A. Cup, Replica

and £5 went to Alistair Crawford for his

time of 31.2 sec, in his Lotus Elite."

 

RGDS RLT

[h4887]

In my only attempt at Valence, in my Ginetta G15, the event had to be abandoned after the first runs due to a torrential cloudburst. I think it was 1989.

[Rupertlt1]

Valence Hill Climb, 28th July 1962

Co-promoted Sevenoaks & District M.C., Austin Healey O.C.,

London M.C., Vintage S.C.C.

B.T.D. T.A. Crawford (Lotus Elite) 33.28 sec

Class Awards:

M. Butler (Mini-Minor) 36.36 sec

A. Hilder (Cooper-Mini) 35.94 sec

J. La Trobe (Rapier) 36.07 sec

R. I. Romain (3.8 Jaguar) 35.72 sec

R. College (Turner) 34.58 sec

R. Neville (Lotus Seven) 34.02 sec

A. Firmin (E-Type Jaguar) 34.86 sec

C. Hillier (H.R.G.) 37.25

A.S.R. Charnock (Alvis) 34.55 sec

 

RGDS RLT 

Edited by Rupertlt1, 01 November 2018 - 15:14.

[glyn parham]

John la Trobe, dad co - drove for him in quite a few rallies in the South East in the early 60's, the Rapier was ex works and met its end when John went straight on at a t junction. Dad limped for a few days after that.
Alan Firmin is the man behind the Kent haulage company which is still in business today, brother /relative Peter was best known for the Clangers on children's TV.
Glyn

[Rupertlt1]

Glyn, Thanks. Do you know anybody who might have programmes and/or pictures of these events?

Very keen to identify the Lotus Elite of Alastair Crawford, also the Lola(s) of Charles Saunders (known to be green) and Hugh Balfour?

 

RGDS RLT

[2F-001]

I should have a few Valence programmes somewhere, but they'll be early '90s.

[glyn parham]

Sevenoaks Motor Club may still have the records Sterling 49 is a member, I will alert him to this thread to see if he can help.
Last time I visited the school (I work for the local authority) the armco, tyres, and a lot of other bits were stored on site.
Glyn

[sterling49]

I should have a few Valence programmes somewhere, but they'll be early '90s.

Did you ever compete at Valence Tony? If it runs again, I will endeavour to enter.

[RAP]

I went to Valence as a spectator several times. A lovely event. Mostly Touring & GT cars - being in the south-east there were few local hillclimb regulars with single-seaters.

From my programmes

 

22-7-67

Sallons

A Rogers (Mini Estate 848) 35.96

George Pitt (998 Mini) 34.38

Ken Costello (1293 Cooper S) 31.87

Roy Edwards (1303 Cooper S) 34.33

GT

Richard Falk (Elan) 32.96

Maurice Gates (Elva Courier) 34.87

John Quick (E type) 32.12

Sports-Racing

Philip Lord (998 Lotus 7) 33.52

David Harvey (Lister Jag) 32.14

Racing

David McDougall (Cooper T72) 32.45

Don Harris (DMF) 30.52 BTD

 

27-7-68

Dennis Mitton (850 Mini) 35.65

Andy Elwin (999 Cooper S) 33.72

Jack Davies (1275 Cooper S) 33.16

Rod Chapman (Escort) 33.56

D Marley (Maya GT 1146) 34.32

Nick Ramus (Sprite) 33.24

Terry Hunter (911) 32.05

John Quick (E type) 31.45

Peter Voight DRW Imp Sports) 31.00

Don Harris DMF 1500) 30.06 BTD

Dave Santer (Takhos 998) 31.81

David McDougall (Cooper T72) 32.11

 

24-7-71

Dan Hore (850 Mini) 35.6

Colin Rogers (999 Cooper S) 33.4

Jack Davies (1275 Cooper S) 33.3

David Bray (1800 Anglia) 33.0

Tony Bean (MG Midget) 35.3

Nick Ramus (MG Midget) 32.2

Maurice Holmes (Ferrari Dino) 36.7

Chris White (TVR Tuscan) 33.5

Julian Dussek (Terrier 998) 34.5

Peter Voight (Ginetta G17B Imp) 29.3 BTD & Record

Doc Willoughby (Brabham BT15 1098sc) 31.4

 

 

12-7-75 class winners

Patrick Watts (Mini Cooper) 31.86

Tony Maslem (Escort RS1600) 31.58  BTD

Nick Ramus (MG Midget) 32.44

Phil Holiday (Ginetta G4 1498) 33.50

David Wilson (Silhouette 1293) 33.73

Guy Black (TVR Tuscan) 34.20

Tim Davies (Sidewinder 1098) 33.77

Graham Watts (March 733) 32.57

Doc Willoughby (Techcraft 3500) 34.21

Programme did not give the hill record. Length stated as 712 yards

 

10-7-82

Dave Scargill (Imp) 32.24

Nigel Humphreys (Mini 1300) 32.46

Trevor Reeves (Mini 1500) 29.61

Brian Kippax (Davrian) 29.86

John Ilstead (240Z) 31.10 

Basil Pitt (Datamatic) 29.00 BTD

Ernie Farncombe (Tiga SC77) 29.54

Chris Paterson (Delta T79) 34.58

Les Edmunds (GRD 273) 31.15

Simon Law (Brabham BT40) 32.13

The hill record at the time was John Hart (Hart 1558) 27.70 set 5.7.80

 

4-7-87

Bev Comber (Mini 1000) 32.19

Stephen Hall (Cooper S 1293) 31.59

Danny Morris (Escort 1700) 31.24

Bob Smith (Escort 2.0) 29.33

Paul Bernal-Ryan (MG Midget) 32.44

Stephen West (TVR Vixen) 32.79

Andy Bradshaw (Reliant Scimitar) 32.16

Phil Price (Mallock 18/21) 30.00

Richard Thompson (Mallock 21/24) 28.28 BTD

Richard George (Ensign) 33.84

Andy Elcomb (Formula First) 31.20

Hart still held record

 

6-7-91

Mat Thompson (Corolla) 34.77

Gavin Wilding (Fiat 130TC) 33.28

Geoff Dark (Ferrari 308GT4) 31.90

Stephen Hall (1293 Mini) 31.71

Richard Stevens (1598 Caterham 7) 30.32

John Lyon (2.0 Caterham 7) 29.72

Dave Warren (Dutton 2040) 32.11

Chris Judge (1293 Mini) 30.75

Brian Verey (1580 Westfield) 29.60

Steve Groves (Ford RS200) 31.45

Richard George (1098 Eiger) 28.73

Nick Law (Shannon FSV)  30.81

Richard Thompson (Mallock 1700) 26.23 BTD

Thompson noe held the outright record at 26,18 set 7.7.90

 

3-7-93

Standard Sports & Saloon

Andrew Barrett (Elan) 31.30

Steve Pattinson (VW Golf) 32.12

Geoff Dark (Ferrari 308GT4) 31.56

Road Modified

Giles Tinkler (Spitfire) 32.10

Harry Metcalfe (Elan) 30.17

Ian ward (Peugeot 309) 32.40

Colin Rodger ( Sierra Cosworth) 30.65

Road going Kits 

Rod Stevens (1398 Caterham) 29.62

Steve Groves (Ford RS200) 29.76

Modified Production

Paul Reynolds (1300 Westfield) 28.77

David Hendry (Escort 1600) 33.03

Geoff Kershaw (2.9 Sierra) 28.98

Sports-Racing & Racing

Jilly Mitchell (Mallock 24 1289) 29.48

N Balderson ( Toyota Starlet) 29.32

Roy Millbank (Pilbeam 2.0) 26.36 BTD

Apologies for any typos!

RAp

[Adrian Beese]

I did my 1st hillclimb there in 1993 I think. Arrived too late to walk the hill and on me first practice run I managed to nudge the tyres on the the tight right first corner. I got away with  that but much to the amusement of all (except me) I turned right towards to top of the hill only to find the previous runners all lined up waiting to go to the bottom of the hill. I did regain my composure to end up in the top half a dozen.

[Rupertlt1]

Adrian, What were you driving? RGDS RLT

[Nick Barltrop]

 
some snaps from Valance, all I think from 1988 or '89, but definitely all Renault or Alpine Renault. A couple are the return run, but might give a sense of the event. It was popular with Renault competitors for a while, and three R8 Gordinis made it over by invitation in 1988. Jim Tiller and his Allard J2, and Wally Pratt with Fiat 500 Abarth were also regular competitors

Edited by Nick Barltrop, 25 October 2018 - 19:55.

[2F-001]

No, I didn’t compete there, Sterling.

It always seemed to be a very friendly event and possibly well suited for a novice to take first steps into hilclimbing - except for that tricky sting-in-the-tail final corner and the prospect of performing in front of a typical large crowd.

I think the first one I attended was won by Richard Thompson with his Mallock (not to be confused with the Spa 1,000km winner and sometime Howmet driver, Dick Thompson - although both are/were Doctors I believe; the US one a dentist?? and the UK one an anaesthetist??). That would make that possibly ’90 or ’91; I can’t remember if I turned up with my Caterham or was still building it.

John Istead (whom I’ve lost touch with in more recent times) won it one year, also Mallock-mounted.

The event seemed to clash with a Midlands Hillclimb Championship round, which kept away some of the bigger-league competitors who would otherwise have been pleased to support it.

In the results posted above by RAP, I see:
John Lyon (HPC instructor and successful circuit racer).

Richard George - long-time hillclimb stalwart who had a Pilbeam MP62, and I saw at Valence with a Chevron B19 possibly a recreation but a beautiful thing just the same. Did he share cars with his daughter? (I suppose it could have been an very young wife though?!).

The late Richard Stevens - sometime production manager at Caterham Cars, and a very useful driver - who drove the original Caterham JPE at the first Goodwood Festival of Speed, humiliating all the so-called supercars in their timed class.

And Phil Price - was it he, or his co-driver, whose Mallock ended up in the spectator-area-cum-car-park after a very long high-speed spin which seemed to explore most of the visible landscape?

Lots of other regular names from the clubbie speed events scene there.

Haven’t been to Valence for some time; I was told that some permanent lighting had been installed along the road that forms the course leading up the hill to the school itself - which resulted in a greatly increased amount of road furniture alongside the road.

Is that so? Such things don't seem to worry some of the classic hillclimbs in continental Europe, but would no doubt be a concern here.

Edited by 2F-001, 27 October 2018 - 11:06.

[RS2000]

I was told that some permanent lighting had been installed along the road that forms the course leading up the hill to the school itself - which resulted in a greatly increased amount of road furniture alongside the road.
Is that so? Such things don't seem to worry some of the classic hillclimbs in continental Europe, but would no doubt be a concern here.

Yes (plus the fact that the MSA safety guy then was a member of the organising club, so no preferential treatment on a track licence possible).

[Nick Barltrop]

Yes, it was a friendy event, and Sevenoaks and District CC were always helpful and supportive of a novice like me. I did the hill a few times, on the last one with a fresh engine that disintegrated comprehensively on the hill when the flywheel bolts failed. Surprisingly, momentum took me round that final corner and across the line to record a time.

[bradbury west]

If anyone with connections with Sevenoaks and DMC knows of sources of photos from the events I am always looking for shots of DRWs in competition, in this case Peter Voigt in 1968 and 1969 in the mk6 DRW with the Imp engine, always a very successful combination.
David Hendry had previously had a Terrier mk 6 for some years.
I am always proud to say that John Lyon was my instructor on HPC, a thoroughly good bloke and sublimely talented driver.
Roger Lund.

 

At the time of the John Lyon result, John was probably still based at Caterham's premises, hence the Caterham HPC model.

Edited by bradbury west, 27 October 2018 - 22:10.

[Rupertlt1]

Roger, We are on the case.

 

22 July 1972:

BTD : P. Voigt (4.2 Palliser WDH1 Repco), 30.22 sec

Class Winners:

D. Hore (850 Mini), 35.76

C. Rogers (1.0 Mini Cooper), 35.33

P. Shepherd (1.3 Mini Cooper S), 34.06

B. Blydenstein (2.5 Vauxhall Firenza), 34.75

A. Bean (1.1 MG Midget), 32.62

G. Black (1.65 Elva Courier), 37.65

R. Staples (4.2 Jaguar E-Type), 34.56

J. Dussek (1.0 Terrier Mk 2), 34.71

D. Bettinson (1.5 Mickey Mouse Special), 33.11

D. Wilson (1.0 Merlyn Mk 9), 35.13

R. Willoughby (1.1 Brabham BT15 Ford s/c), 31.69

 

RGDS RLT

[Rupertlt1]

28 July 1962

 

"By far the largest category was Class

D, for sports cars up to 1,000 c.c. There

were 15 B.M.C. cars, two Turners, two

Cannons and a Fairthorpe-Minor. The

latter, driven by John Allan, recorded a

spirited 35.31 secs. on his second run

after a spot of bother first time, and this

gave him third place in the class behind

Ron College's pretty little Turner (34.58

secs.) and Keith Grants potent 995 c.c

Sprite (34.63 secs.)."

Photo caption:

Keith Grant's Speedwell Sprite just makes

this corner! (car was #40)

The second-place Sprite was registered 585 MY, described as brand-new in 1962.

 

According to the Elite Register:

T.A. Crawford bought Lotus Elite #1801, ex-works 2/1/1962.  Unfortunately, it was written off many years ago, with the parts going onto a new body.  It also looks like that Elite was written off and the parts put on a third body which is now in Italy.

 

RGDS RLT 

[Rupertlt1]

B.A.R.C. Goodwood Motor Circuit

Forty-Ninth Sports Car Meeting

Saturday 24 March 1962

Event 2, Event 7,

#96 T.A. Crawford Lotus Elite White 1216

Looks like DNS

 

Point being the car was white.

 

RGDS RLT

[Adrian Beese]

Hi Looked my former post and top half dozen was well out more like 15th, I was driving my ex Tim Cameron Getem GBB77 Formula Ford on my 1st event

[Rupertlt1]

Hi Looked my former post and top half dozen was well out more like 15th, I was driving my ex Tim Cameron Getem GBB77 Formula Ford on my 1st event

 

Adrian, Do you have the results? When was this? RGDS RLT

[Rupertlt1]

25 July 1964

B.T.D. Charles Saunders, Lola-Climax, 32.78 sec

Class Winners:

John Anstead (Fiat Abarth 850 TC), 37.30

F. Burton (Mini-Cooper), 36.20

W. McGovern (Mini-Cooper S), 34.34

N. Porter (bored Mini-Cooper), 33.95

G. Capel (Lotus-Climax 11 GT), 34.68

J. Bloomfield (Diva GT), 33.50

L. Cummings (Morgan Plus Four), 35.12

J. Quick (E-Type Jaguar), 34.31

I. Hutchinson (Lotus-Ford 7), 36.47

H. Balfour (Lola-Climax), 34.26

J. Miller (Lotus-Ford 7), 34.30

J. Horrex (Cooper-Norton), 33.11

 

Note: The winning Lola and the car of Hugh Balfour were two different cars.

 

RGDS RLT 

Edited by Rupertlt1, 31 October 2018 - 17:03.

[Adrian Beese]

Don't think so, I was not very good at keeping momentos. I will look though. I seem to remember that BTD was a guy in a Magnum? super V, possibly 1993

[Rupertlt1]

27 July 1963

B.T.D. P. Meldrum (Lotus-Ford 7), 32.31

Class Winners:

N. Porter (Mini-Cooper), 33.92

M. Bryant (Mini-Minor), 37.57

M. Butler (Lotus-Cortina), 34.66

K. Wilson (VW s/c), 38.87

C.N. Ramus (Sprite), 34.02

J. Bloomfield (Diva GT), 33.30

C. Lummis (Lotus 7), 34.20

D. Howard (Jaguar E), 33.21

L. Stone (Cooper-Norton), 35.24

W. Wilks (Cooper-Bristol), 33.95

 

RGDS RLT

[Rupertlt1]

24 July 1965

B.T.D. Gordon Parker (s/c Cooper-Climax), 30.46 sec

Class winners:

Duncan Macnab (Mini-Cooper), 35.54

Ken Costello (1300 Mini-Cooper S), 32.67

Tony Kinch (Cortina G.T.), 35.21

Ian Bracey (Diva-Ford), 34.72

A.J. Parratt (Lotus Elan), 35.20

Ron Gee (M.G.B), 37.28

Peter Welstead (Lotus 7), 33.98

David Beckett (Lister-Jaguar), 32.11

D.J.G. King (Elva Scorpion), 37.64

Brian Green (650 c.c. s/c Martin-Triumph), 38.85 sec

 

(With thanks to Michael Oliver. Is the Martin-Triumph the Martini-Triumph?)

 

RGDS RLT

Edited by Rupertlt1, 07 November 2018 - 11:52.

[Rupertlt1]

This story appeared in Speedscene, Issue No. 8, 1983. Copyright acknowledged. With thanks to Steve Wilkinson.

 

Obituary March Buick 1971-1983

On September 11th at Wiscombe Park my car inexplicably turned left instead of right

at the gate and buried its nose in a very solid stone wall. The tub is like a ban-

ana and the right wheelbase is four inches shorter than the left. The car is I am

sure repairable but for some time I have wondered about the safe life of the tradi-

tional riveted monocoque and really feel that it is time for the old car to retire.

The old owner is nursing two sprained wrists and has trouble with his pint glass but

the engine and gearbox are undamaged so something may reappear from the wreckage!

The car started life in 1971 as the March Works F2 chassis although its actual race

history is unknown. I like to think it was driven by Lauda and Petersen (sic) but I doubt

it. Sir Nicholas Williamson bought it in 1972 and fitted with the prototype alloy

2 litre Hart engine, it won the RAC Championship. In 1973 and 1974 it was fitted

with a D.F.V. and had mixed success - but it did not handle well. It lay in his work-

shop with the grass growing through it for a couple of years and I bought it very

cheaply from him in late 1976 spending the winter fitting the Buick engine from my

Techcraft. This engine incidentally took Roy Lane to 2nd place in the 1968 RAC

Championship! It was raced from 1977-1979 with several successes and when I had

a sabbatical year in 1980 Alan Payne borrowed it. He made it cleaner than I ever

did, and also improved the engine a lot. I recovered it in 1981 and nearly sold it

at the end of that year (sorry Nigel Sillence)! I then regularly drove it at most

hill climbs about the country until the last run at Wiscombe on 11th September.

The old car rarely scored any RAC points but was always up amongst them and

frequently managed to upset the Pilbeam Owners Club! It held the Valence record for

2 years and still holds the Bodiam Record set in 1979.

It cost me about £1700 to build and has only needed routine maintenance since then.

I once bought two new tyres but it mostly ran on other peoples throw-outs! This

years big expense was a new clutch - the old one was secondhand in 1977!

I am sad to see an old friend go but I hope this brief account will encourage those

who agree with me that you don't need to spend a fortune to enjoy hill climbing and

go quite quickly as well.

Roger Willoughby

END

 

(According to my records Willoughby set the Bodiam course record in 1978: 24.03 sec.

By 1985 Willoughby was running a March 792-Buick.)

   

RGDS RLT  

Edited by Rupertlt1, 07 November 2018 - 15:33.

[Rupertlt1]

In the spirit of tracing car histories of Valence competitors, thanks to Allen Brown, we now have the back story for Doc Willoughby's March-Buick, from the 1971 season (see previous post):

 

This was chassis 712M-20 according to March records.

Loaned to Tino Brambilla for Rouen in June, then run by March for Sten Gunnarson at the two Swedish races, then James Hunt at the August Bank Holiday Brands, then François Migault at Albi.

 

So no Lauda or Peterson but ex-James Hunt - pity Willoughby did not know all this.

 

RGDS RLT

Edited by Rupertlt1, 12 November 2018 - 12:14.

[Rupertlt1]

Saturday 25 July 1970:

FTD Peter Voigt, (1.0 Ginetta Imp G17), 29.80 - 9th event

Class Winners:

Colin Williams (850 Morris Mini) 34.80

Dave Bray (Ford Anglia) 33.65

Colin Rogers (1.0 Cooper S) 35.95

Tony Chamings (1.3 Mini-Cooper S) 32.25

David Marley (Maya GT) 34.23

Nick Ramus (1.3 MG Midget) 32.79

John Bloomfield (2.0 Porsche 911S) 31.85

John Henley (Jaguar E-Type) 34.15

D. Hendry (Terrier Mk 6) 33.85

P. Voigt (as above)

Roger Willoughby (Brabham-Ford) 31.72

 

Source: Motoring News, 30 July 1970

 

RGDS RLT

Edited by Rupertlt1, 25 July 2021 - 02:51.

[Rupertlt1]

24 July 1971:

FTD Peter Voigt, (1.0 Ginetta Imp G17B), 29.3, record

Class Winners:

D. Hore (Mini) 35.6

Colin Rogers (1.0 Cooper S) 33.4

Dave Bray (1800 Ford Anglia) 33.0

T. Bean (1122 Midget) 35.3

Nick Ramus (1293 MG Midget) 32.2 

Maurice Holmes (2418 Ferrari Dino) 36.7

C. White (4727 TVR Tuscan) 33.5

Julian Dussek (998 Terrier Mk II) and Chippy Stross (1996 Chevron B8 BMW) 34.5

Dr R. Willoughby (1098 s/c Brabham BT15) 31.4 

 

Source: Motoring News, 5 August 1971.

 

RGDS RLT

Edited by Rupertlt1, 25 July 2021 - 03:04.

[Rupertlt1]

Sevenoaks & DMC, 5th Valence Hill Climb, 23 July 1966

FTD Don Harris, DMF 3-Ford twin-cam, 30.44 sec, course record

Class winners

Saloons up to 850 c.c.:

Colin Rogers (850 Mini Traveller) 36.05 sec

851 to 1000 c.c.:

Colin Gower (998 Mini-Cooper) 34.75

1001 c.c. to 1300 c.c.:

Ken Costello (Cripspeed 1,293 Mini-Cooper) 32.45

Over 1300 c.c.:

Roger Taylor (East Anglian Racing Team 1,820 Ford Anglia) 33.95

GT cars to 1200 c.c.:

1. John Fenwick (1,098 Austin Healey Sprite) 32.98

2. Nick Ramus (Austin Healey Sprite) 35.04

3. Grahame White (Austin Healey Sprite) 35.55

1201 c.c. to 1650 c.c.:

1. John Brown (Morgan 4/4) 34.37

2. Mike Day (Turner)

1651 c.c. to 2500 c.c.:

Neil Dangerfield (Triumph TR4-SLR body) 34.30

Over 2500 c.c.:

1. John Quick (Jack Playford prepared Jaguar E-Type) 32.30

2. Michael Miles (Jaguar E-Type roadster) 32.92

Sports racing up to 1200 c.c.:

1. Peter Voigt (Lotus 7) 33.45

2. C.D. Weller (Lotus 7)

3. M.P. Sutch (Lotus 7)

Over 1200 c.c.:

1. Doug Mockford (Diva Valkyr) 33.01

2. David Harvey (Lister-Jaguar coupe) 33.41

Racing cars up to 1200 c.c.:

Peter Welstead (1.0 Lotus 41-Ford) 31.85

Over 1200 c.c.:

Joe Champion (Lotus 7) 36.44

 

DNS: Gordon Parker, Cooper-Climax

 

RGDS RLT

Edited by Rupertlt1, 25 July 2021 - 02:52.

[Rupertlt1]

1979:

BTD: Roger Willoughby (March Buick) 28.09 sec

Class winners:

Bev Comber (Mini) 31.92

David Fuller (Mini GT) 31.81

Paul Goddard (Ford Escort) 31.39

Roy Gillingham (MG Midget) 33.29

David West (Caterham Super 7) 30.12

Basil Pitt (Mallock U2) 29.75

Ernie Farncombe (Tiga SC77) 31.38

John Corbyn (Terrapin Mk1G) 28.69

Allan Scott (Scott Special) 30.29*

Roger Willoughby (March Buick) 28.09

Autosport, 19 July 1979

 

*Scott was a member of the Sevenoaks & D.M.C. - car thought to be 1558 c.c.

He was entered #131 at Great Farthingloe Hill Climb, Sunday 1st July 1979.

See: https://forums.autos...b/#entry8569895

 

RGDS RLT  

Edited by Rupertlt1, 18 November 2019 - 03:12.

[Rupertlt1]

VALENCE SPEED HILL CLIMB - RECORDS [End 1979]

OUTRIGHT HILL RECORD

ROGER WILLOUGHBY March Buick 3520 c.c.  28.09 7.7.79

Saloon Cars up to 1000 c.c.

Patrick Watts Mini Cooper 998 c.c.      31.86 12.7.75

Saloon Cars 1001 c.c - 1300 c.c.

David Fuller Leyland Mini GT 1293 c.c.  31.81  7.7.79

Saloon Cars over 1300 c.c.

Paul Goddard Ford Escort 1850 c.c.      31.39  7.7.79

G.T. & Modified Sports Cars up to 1300 c.c.

Duncan Welch M.G. Midget 1293 c.c.      31.73  10.7.76

G.T. & Modified Sports Cars over 1300 c.c.

David West Caterham S7 1598 c.c.        30.12  7.7.79

Sports Racing and Clubmen up to 1600 c.c.

Basil Pitt Mallock U2 1594 c.c.                29.75  7.7.79

Sports Racing and Clubmen over 1600 c.c.

Ernie Farncombe Tiga SC77 BDA 1700 c.c. 31.38  7.7.79

Racing Cars up to 500 c.c.

Brian Saull Cooper Mk.8 500 c.c.        33.25  9.7.77

Racing Cars 501 c.c. - 1100 c.c.

John Corbyn Terrapin Mk.1G 1098 c.c.    28.69  7.7.79

Racing Cars 1101 c.c. - 1600 c.c.

John Hart Hart Brabham 1598 c.c.        29.34  8.7.78

Racing Cars over 1600 c.c.

Roger Willoughby March Buick 3520 c.c.  28.09  7.7.79

END

 

RGDS RLT

Edited by Rupertlt1, 25 July 2021 - 02:54.

[glyn parham]

Rupert.
Is Duncan Welsh meant to be Welch? I only ask because he was a few years older than me at school and was a regular sprinter and hillclimber in MG Midgets and Sprites.
Glyn

[Rupertlt1]

Yes, I'll fix it! (Tell us more.)

 

RGDS RLT

[Rupertlt1]

In the book Uphill Racers by Chris Mason, Page 366, ref 1986 it states:

"Dr. Roger Willoughby, now U2 Mk 21/24 mounted, set a 29.92s record on the oft-threatened

Bodiam Hill, and won again at Sevenoaks & DMC's wet Silver Jubilee Meeting at the well-supported

charity Valence School fixture."

 

Roger Willoughby sometime resident of Sulhamstead, Berkshire.

 

RGDS RLT

Edited by Rupertlt1, 10 February 2020 - 00:08.

[Rupertlt1]

I went to Valence as a spectator several times. A lovely event. Mostly Touring & GT cars - being in the south-east there were few local hillclimb regulars with single-seaters.

From my programmes

 

22-7-67

Saloons

A Rogers (Mini Estate 848) 35.96

George Pitt (998 Mini) 34.38

Ken Costello (1293 Cooper S) 31.87

Roy Edwards (1303 Cooper S) 34.33

GT

Richard Falk (Elan) 32.96

Maurice Gates (Elva Courier) 34.87

John Quick (E type) 32.12

Sports-Racing

Philip Lord (998 Lotus 7) 33.52

David Harvey (Lister Jag) 32.14

Racing

David McDougall (Cooper T72) 32.45

Don Harris (DMF) 30.52 BTD

 

Local drivers include Mr.

David and Mrs. Helga Harvey,

of Pineneedle Lane, Seven-

oaks, with a Lotus Cortina

and a Lister Jaguar; Alan

Richards, of Chipstead (mini);

Ron Knight, of Knockholt

(Morgan Plus 4) and Bob

Staples, of Riverhead, in his

Jaguar E, well-known on

many Continental circuits.

An interesting car which

will no doubt attract a large

crowd at the paddock is the

Type 51 Bugatti of J. J. Rich-

ards of Croydon which won

the 1931 Monaco Grand Prix

when driven by Louis Chiron.

Sevenoaks Chronicle and Kentish Advertiser, Friday 14 July 1967, Page 5

 

Presumably David Harvey aboard the Lister-Jaguar Coupe.

 

RGDS RLT

Edited by Rupertlt1, 24 July 2021 - 08:32.