Devon hosts the British motorsport champs

The premier Devon track for motorsport, Wiscombe Park, recently hosted the fastest cars and drivers in the UK during the British Championship event. And it was a record-breaking weekend in every respect.

An incredible eight new national and regional class records were established. A new Ladies Hill Record was set, and the Outright Hill Record was broken on both days! In addition, the venue attracted one of the largest crowds for many years.

On both days, the highlight for the spectators were the Run-Offs - this is when the fastest 12 drivers go head-to-head to earn Championship points.

On Saturday, just nine tenths of a second separated the top three drivers. It was Matt Ryder (Gould GR59J) securing the win and also setting a new Outright Hill Record of 32.16s for the tortuous 1000-yard course, which includes three hairpin bends.

Matt took a massive eight tenths of a second off the previous record held by current Champion, Wallace Menzies.

On Sunday, the weather was even more suited to record breaking with the tarmac being heated by the sun. And it was again Matt Ryder taking the honours and breaking the Hill Record he had set only 24 hours before – with a time of 31.77s.

The man taking runner-up spot was current Championship leader, Alex Summers (DJ Firestorm), from Will Hall (Gould GR59J) in third place. The Run-Off top three being the same on both days.

With his brace of Run-Off second places, Alex Summers maintains his healthy Championship lead with 156pts from Matt Ryder on 125pts and Will Hall 122pts with 10 rounds remaining.

In the Tin Top Challenge Run-Offs, six-time British Champion Scott Moran was victorious both days in a full rally spec Skoda Fabia R5, which had previously been used for ice racing.

Exeter-based racing driver Olivia Cooper set a new Ladies Hill Record of 36.49s in her Force TA, beating her previous record of 37.03s set in 2019.

Another local driver setting a new National record was Cullompton-based Ed Hollier – a 35.59s in his Force HC. Ed is the current ASWMC Champion.

As well as the British Championship, local drivers were also in action with two rounds of the Wiscombe Tillicoultry Quarries Championship. And it was a memorable weekend for Plymouth garage owner and five-time Wiscombe Champion, Ian Ingleheart.

With Class wins on both days in his Westfield SE and a new class record, he moved into the lead of the Championship from Julian Rinaldi (Ford Fiesta) and Anthony Wright (Audi A3).

On Saturday, Wiscombe Park hosted a party of students and their parents from Colyton Grammar School. Three teams of students have achieved great success in the F1 In Schools Competition designed to encourage students to consider a career in engineering and motorsport.

The students were given a tour of the paddock and then met current British Championship leader, Alex Summers, who hosted a Q&A session.

On Sunday, Wiscombe Park received a visit from David Richards CBE - Chairman of Motorsport UK – the governing body of motorsport in the UK. David spent time meeting the drivers, chatting to spectators and viewing the action. The last time he was at the venue, was when he was a co-driver to Tony Pond and competing on 1976 Lombard RAC Rally. This time David enjoyed a more relaxing visit.

The next action at Wiscombe Park is the Five Clubs on September 7 and 8 and the MG Car Club/NHCA Arnold Gimblett on September 14 and 15 - the final race weekend of the season.

For all the latest news and tickets please visit www.wiscombepark.co.uk and Facebook page.