Chequered flag for the Devon Motorsport season

The flag has fallen on the final race weekend of the 2022 motorsport season at Wiscombe Park after a packed schedule of three meetings - the Five Clubs, MG Car Club and Arnold Gimblett – in just two weekends!

The MG Car Club meeting offered a wide variety of cars – from race cars of the 30’s through to more contemporary machinery. As well as the MG Car Club Speed Championship, there were classic Triumphs competing in The Revington TR Championship, a big entry of Caterham's celebrating the 20th Anniversary of their Championship and the Classic Marques Speed Challenge.

MG honours went to Andy Walker – MGB V8 – 44.76s - from Dorset racer, Ben Rolls, in his Austin Healey Sprite – 45.17s

In the Revington Championship, it was Neil Revington claiming top spot with a 49.09s run in his unique Triumph Beta – from Chris Smith in a classic Triumph TR3A – 51.46s. In the Caterhams, Simon Rogers – Caterham GSXR – 40.16s - took the honours from Robert Margel – Caterham Hayabusa – 42.05s. Both cars powered by motorbike engines.

The focus for local competitors was the final round of the Tillicoultry Quarries Wiscombe Championship. And the title was clinched by Plymouth businessman Ian Ingleheart who has had a perfect season in his highly modified Westfield SE Cosworth. Ian is no stranger to winning Championships – this is the fifth time he has won the Wiscombe Championship – a record.

Runner up spot, as he was in 2021, went to Steve Wareham from Dorset in his Morris Mini. Steve, who holds numerous hill records throughout the Westcountry, has also had a great season, consistently winning his Class. Making a late move to finish third in the Championship was Clive Stangle in his Mitsubishi Evo V – following up his recent success of winning the Gurston Down Championship.

The Fastest Time of the Day honours went to Ed Hollier – Force HC – 36.86s. Ed has not entered many events this season whilst his car has been undergoing some updates. However, lack of competition has not slowed him down, and he had a close battle with the man in top form, Andrew Forsyth – OMS CF04 – who set a best of 36.98s.

On Sunday, the final meeting of the 2022 season, the NHCA Arnold Gimblett Speed Hillclimb produced a fantastic display of riding on two and three wheels, in conditions that were far from ideal. Although it was a beautiful Autumn day, and dry, the top part of the hill, under the trees, remained damp from the rain on Saturday, and the riders had to use all their skills to stay upright.

And in the Top Ten Run Off, it was clinched on the final run of the day by Jimmy Hodges who set a time of 41.06s on his Team GV KTM SMR. Jimmy flew in from Norway just to compete at the event. It was very close at the top – current NHCA Champion Tom Short finished second – 41.11s - Jamie Mitchell third on 41.61s and Tommy Hodges fourth on 41.63s - four riders only separated by tenths or hundredths of a second!

The 2023 Wiscombe Park season will get underway in April with the Woolbridge Motor Club Spring Meeting. Please visit the website www.wiscombepark.co.uk and Facebook page for all the latest news.