Hillclimbs

[mr_tony]

Anyone here participate?

Thinking of going for the Gurston Down drivers school soon, anyone here done it?

[NikB]

I did the School last year, it was an excellent day out, I really enjoyed it. I'm hoping to get the Mini there some time this year to race.

There's a few pics I took here, but not many as it's quite a busy day!

http://more-power.co.uk/photos/gurstondown/picture...

[eccles]

I've not been to Gurston, but i've done the Prescott school, was a great day out, if a little pricey.

I spanner for a friend who until this year had a mini which was in mod prod, and then sports libre, but he's just sold that and moved up to a Mallock, which will be a whole new performance level.

The atmosphere at hillclimbs is great, the paddock is very friendly, and most courses are set in beautiful country side.

(for in car footage of Prescott, shelsley and Etretat in France see http://uk.youtube.com/user/bantoracer )

[CNHSS1]

competed at sprints hills since 2000, although only did wiscombe and gruston for the first time last season. both are mega, you will enjoy it im sure. Gurston is a relatively simple layout (not dozens of coners...) but surprisingly technical. Oh, yeah and fast ;-)
would agree with friendly nature of the paddock though, your biggest class rival is also the guy most likely to lend you a spare or help repair your car after an 'off'.

Edited by CNHSS1 on Tuesday 26th February 12:28

[tonyvid]

I saw some on Guernsey a couple of years ago - fantastic atmosphere with the cars all being prepped on the main street then howling up the gorge, great viewing points as you can sit amongst the trees and look down on it all. Really good sport on public roads and as for those mad sand racers doing it

[lord summerisle]

if its anything like the Harewood day then it'll be an excellent day.

I take part from the other side of the Tyres.. holding the radio/flag/fire bottles - its the atmosphere at hillclimbs that i keep coming back for

I only get to drive the hills non competativly... not that stops some of us trying to get a good speed through the traps

[NikB]

Forgot to say - have a look on youtube, some of the guys i was at the school with put footage on there. Should give you a basic understanding of the track.

Oh yeah, don't change down on the approach to the Karousel, you get told off for that

[onomatopoeia]

I prefer competition on the flat (sprints) but do the occasional hill. Have done course control at Wiscombe at the 5 Clubs meeting in September since the mid 90s as well (someone cut those tress down PLEASE!).

[CNHSS1]

trees just focus the mind

[cougarracing]

i couldnt resist adding these videos, makes my spine tingle!

http://youtube.com/watch?v=YXkBUnt0UYw&feature...
http://youtube.com/watch?v=lIle3tjMdiY
http://youtube.com/watch?v=paClRcT39HY&feature...

and never mind trees, you need to watch out for lamp posts!

http://youtube.com/watch?v=BMWtXymjh4Y&feature...
very nasty indeed

jjust out of interests how much does hillclimbing cost, for instance if i had a radical clubsport, how much are entrance fees etc?

[Dan Friel]

Did the Gurston school last year, an excellent day out.. if a little dull to start with (if you've already done some events). Otherwise very good fun - even in a Nissan Primera!

[Dan Friel]

Entry fees will be £65 to £95ish per event....

[lord summerisle]

at a guess - about £80-100.

some hills are harder to get an entry than others (the midland hills especially) if your just looking at doing one event and are not a member of the organising club (some hills tend to give priority to those entered into the hill championship and invited clubs) so its worth getting your entry in as early as possible

[CNHSS1]

http://s13.photobucket.com/albums/a274/CNHSS1/?act...
one of my buddies getting it a tad wrong, but not under braking as suggested by the commentator, he was still on the gas

Edited by CNHSS1 on Tuesday 26th February 19:27

[speedtwelve]

Planning to attend a Gurston school day this year too. Having done trackdays and a bit of club sprinting I think it's time to have a go at somewhere that has virtually zero runoff!

Not sure which car to use... The Corrado would be quicker up the hill, but I reckon the Eunos would be more fun, and I realise it's a 'learning' day and times are not important. Honest Guv...

[Porlock]

Onomatopoeia Said

"I prefer competition on the flat (sprints) but do the occasional hill. Have done course control at Wiscombe at the 5 Clubs meeting in September since the mid 90s as well (someone cut those tress down PLEASE!)".

thats cos you drive a boxster!! and speak in to the speaker of a phone whilst holding the mike to your ear!!

Good News Some tress?? trimming has taken place! Might even see the Gate now.

[Nick_F]

I don't want to see the gate, thankyou very much. I want to forget that it's there altogether.

[rev-erend]

So how mush are the Gurston training days ?

[NikB]

rev-erend said:

So how mush are the Gurston training days ?

£150, but that's TBC, and there's no '08 dates yet.

More details here:

http://www.gurstondown.org/school.htm

[Nick_F]

Don't expect a hillclimb school day to be like a mini-ARDS course or you'll be very disappointed.

They are generally very specific to the particular hill and focus on the braking, turn-in points and apexes you need to find in order to drive the hill quickly; they are not about car control techniques, but you will get feedback on your overall approach and level of commitment.

Bearing in mind that you only get four runs during a competitive event, however, a school day is a pretty effective way of learning a hill that you intend to compete on.