18 replies to this topic

[Tim Murray]

The organisers of the Chateau Impney Hill Climb have announced that the 2020 event will not now be held, and that the series has come to an end:

https://mailchi.mp/5...65?e=671f0b7ac4

I’m so disappointed by this news. I loved the event - lots of fascinating vehicles in a beautiful setting and a lovely informal atmosphere. I shall miss it.

[garyfrogeye]

A great shame, While I never competed there, I did attend it three times and loved it. The weather always seemed to be nice too.

[alansart]

Sad news indeed. I went in 2018 after some prompting by Alan Cox and loved it. The only reason I missed it last year was due to the HSCC debut at Anglesey and was hoping to catch up again this year.

I guess these things cost a lot of money to organise!

David Gidden - Lotus 23B 2 by Alan Raine, on Flickr

[ensign14]

 

 

[Stephen W]

The "late" announcement by Chateau Impney is very disappointing. It has always been one of those events that was on the brink as it had to make lots of money to survive. I can only assume that the profit margins were not good enough. Having been shoe-horned into the Speed Events calendar it created lots of clashes and a lot of animosity. I for one am glad it has folded however, the late announcement means we will again be saddled with clashes in 2020 despite there being no event.

[Steve L]

I thought it was a great event. Nice venue and location centrally located, super range of cars. Tickets not too expensive. The only thing it lacked was a good trade area with some decent shops to stock up from! I hope the cancellation in 2020 is due to taking a step back to go two forward to create a new improved event.

[ensign14]

I somehow doubt it, Cholmondeley's year off seems to be becoming a decade...

[Stephen W]

I thought it was a great event. Nice venue and location centrally located, super range of cars. Tickets not too expensive. The only thing it lacked was a good trade area with some decent shops to stock up from! I hope the cancellation in 2020 is due to taking a step back to go two forward to create a new improved event.

 

Having picked up on another forum that the event has a continually failed to generate a profit I doubt Chateau Impney will ever be back in that format. I also doubt that any current MUK club would be able to run it at a profit or even break even. I noticed that Cholmondley has also been mentioned, it too was in a similar state financially. 

[Bumblyari]

I attended with friend of mine in 2017 and 2018 treating ourselves to the VIP package on one of the days each time. Last year however they bumped up the price from £150 for the day to £180 at which we took umbrage and went somewhere else. Maybe others did the same as it's difficult to swallow a 20% yoy price increase with nothing extra on offer.

 

I agree it lacked a decent trade area but otherwise it was a good event, a bit like Goodwood in the early days. 

[john aston]

You paid £150 for  a hill climb ? When you can go to the far better courses like Harewood for a tenner and even Prescott is only 20? 

 

Did you get free champagne , chauffeur and dancing girls ? I'd expect nothing less

[Tim Murray]

£150 was the price for the VIP package. Last time I went (2017), basic admission was £18 for advance bookers.

[john aston]

Indeed - but at Harewood , Barbon etc we don't do hierarchies - everyone is a VIP .....

[Bumblyari]

The 150 quid included full English breakfast, free champagne, three course lunch or barbeque, afternoon tea (more champagne), full use of the Chateau's facilities plus prime viewing spot. 

 

No dancing girls and the taxi to and from was extra.

 

Bit of an extravagance I know but it's nice to experience how the other half live now and again.

[Derwent Motorsport]

It is interesting that it was canned after tickets had gone on sale,  so there must have ben a late change of view by the owners.  It comes down to the fact that if you are running an event as a commercial event then you have huge extra costs in terms of wages compared to club events where everyone involved is a volunteer. There have been a  fair few events bitten the dust  in recent years for this reason. Up in Scotland we hade the Ignition Festival, Ingliston Revival and previously historic festivals at Knockhill all failed and I am sure there are others in other part sof the UK. Meanwhile the Bo'ness Revival is a big success as it's run by volunteers. I am sure if the committee and marshals got £10 an hour for the time they spend on the event it would not take place.

[Rupertlt1]

Take a trip back to 1958 (says 29.09.1958, but I think held on Sunday 28th September 1958):

 

https://www.macearch...ub-speed-trials

 

RGDS RLT

Edited by Rupertlt1, 08 July 2021 - 08:05.

[arttidesco]

 

 

#224 Cooper Daimler T87 Gillian Goldsmith, nee Fortescue Thomas, at the much missed Chateau Impney

[Rupertlt1]

 

 

#224 Cooper Daimler T87 Gillian Goldsmith, nee Fortescue Thomas, at the much missed Chateau Impney

 

Ex-Martin Brain > Clive Oakley car:

 

https://www.alamy.co...ge68201031.html

 

Better picture here:

 

https://www.alamy.co...l-54978267.html

 

Can anybody identify the meeting at Loton Park in 1967? Is the car being shared by two drivers?

 

1967 Loton Park

April 23, July 30, Oct 15

 

RGDS RLT

Edited by Rupertlt1, 12 July 2021 - 07:28.

[Stephen W]

Ex-Martin Brain > Clive Oakley car:

 

Is the car being shared by two drivers?

 

1967 Loton Park

April 23, July 30, Oct 15

 

RGDS RLT

 

Yes although I suspect it was a last minute switch for one of them as a shared car would be allocated the numbers as either 107 and 707 or as 107 and 107A dependant on which club was running the event. 

 

PS either July or October I would summise.

Edited by Stephen W, 12 July 2021 - 09:28.

[Roger Clark]

Autosport 20/10/67 Saint in its Loton report: “Peter Lawson, having another drive  in Martin Brain’s Cooper-Daimler T84 (the BRM is still minus a drive shaft) climbed in 39.22 secs, beating the owner’s ascent of 40.04. 
 

Motoring News 19/10/67 said in its report of Castle Howard Oct I: “Peter Lawson set up a new hill record of 31.21s, despite only having one run due to a broken drive shaft”.