HIGH-OCTANE ACTION RETURNS TO BOULEY

21st April, 2025

The Jersey Motorcycle & Light Car Club’s 2025 hill climb season began with thrilling racing up Bouley Bay’s iconic course on Easter Monday. The bank holiday saw good crowds lining the banks of the course to watch as the practice runs got underway with nearly 100 entrants across varied classes raring to go after the winter break. The picturesque Bouley Bay was grey and wet at the start of the day as competitors unpacked and set up, but the forecast proved correct and conditions improved as the first official runs began. 

The ever-popular 351-500cc Motorcycle class saw 26 competitors, both new and experienced, battling it out for the class honours. Initially it was Daniel Lagadu on his Honda taking the lead while conditions were slippery during practice, with Matthew Le Brun and his Husqvarna leading after the first official run. After the lunch break it was the common duo of Adam Vibert and Matthew Le Brun tussling for the top spot once again. Both riders went under the 44 second mark on the penultimate run of the event but ultimately, Vibert aboard his new 2025 KTM would triumph and take the class win with a time of 43.30 seconds, also the fastest two-wheeled time of the event. 

In the 1401-2000cc Road-Going Production class, another well-attended category, Adam Gould topped the timing sheets in his Honda Civic. Andy Simpson was first of the 12-strong Mazda MX-5 contingent just ahead of Dave Truscott and Martin Keith. 

Elsewhere on four wheels, the rally car classes provided great entertainment for the crowds with João Rodrigues claiming the victory in the 1601-2000 class by a margin of just 0.03 seconds over Richard Le Marquand and Ross Le Noa topping the Unlimited 8-Inch Wheels class in his distinctive red Ford Escort. 

A regular timekeeper at hill climb events, Ben Le Lay this time swapped his seat in the timing hut for that of a racing car. In his first time up Bouley Bay he was all smiles as he gelled with the car ending the day with a time of 47.74 seconds.

Michael Salmon in his OMS CF04 racing car set the overall fastest time of the day reaching the top of the hill in 39.82 seconds.

(words by Ryan Hidrio)