A spectator filled event saw record breaking motor-racing at the Apex Trust Company Ltd Liberation Day Hill Climb and despite the occasional showers, they witnessed some great displays of skill and bravery from the 90 plus competitors.

The practice runs started at 11am with slippery condition caused from overnight showers. Many sensibly used the practice run with caution to avoid any early hits of the day. All competitors were safely through for the official runs and for competition to commence.

CONSISTENCY

As soon as the official runs started competitors were feeling more confident in the improving conditions. Jersey’s Mick Lancashire set a new record of 48.68 on his first official run in the Modified Production Sports Car Class upto 1400cc. Thereon after, each run was faster than his previous and eventually finished the day with an impressive 47.44 record run. Guernsey’s rapid Tim Torode also drove exceptionally well from the offset in his Mallock MK18 to set a record breaking run of 42.55 in the Sports Libre upto 1400cc Class in his first official. Torode was unable to go any quicker for the rest of the day but showed incredible consistency to post times all within 1/10th of a second of each other. 

Another early record breaking run was seen by Carl Dix racing his Honda Civic Type R in the Road Production 1400-2000cc Class. An impressive time of 51.83 was nearly a clear second ahead of his competition and no doubt we will see him fighting to lower his new record throughout the season.

A thrilling day-long battle in the Motorcycles 351-500cc Class between James Barette and Lee Le Feuvre kept everyone on their toes until the very last run. Barette was fastest on the first run with 44.73 then Le Feuvre stole the advantage on the second with 44.51. On the third and final run both riders were committed to go faster and seal the class win. The split times showed that Barrette was on course to take the class win with a low 44sec but appeared to lose time in the final corner, however still managed a quick 44.56. Le Feuvre went slightly slower on his final run but his impressive 44.51 posted earlier was enough to take class win honours. Third and fourth places went to a closely fought battle between Oliver Holmes and Andrew Deffains with a respectful 45.17 and a 45.52. Charile Mills also impressed all with a quick 46.74 in only his first dry hill climb, proving that he may be joining the class winning contenders in the near future. 

SUPER QUICK

In the racing car 1600-2000cc Class a Muratti battle between Guernsey’s Geoff Guille and Jersey’s Jason Mourant, both racing in top of the range OMS racing cars specially made for hill climbing, was evident throughout the day. All of Guille’s official runs were posted in the 42sec barrier and all within 2/10th of second from each other, showing great consistency and knowledge of the hill. Mourant has purchased a new car for this season with the aim to go faster than his excellent 39sec times seen last year. As it was the first time driving this powerful machine finished in an eye-catching pearl white, it was a day to learn the car’s handling and speed and adjust any settings for the next event. Mourant posted an impressive 42.79 run but Guille’s quickest time of 42.12 on his last official run was enough to take the class win and fastest time of the day. Mourant will no doubt be disappointed to not win the class but is sure to be a real local contender for the national hill climb in July.

JMC & LCC officials thanked sponsors Apex Trust Company Ltd, St John Ambulance, Normandy Rescue, Paramedics, Trinity Honorary Police and residents.