CHANNEL ISLANDERS IMPRESS AMONGST BRITAIN’S FASTEST
15th July, 2025
On Tuesday, 15th July, the picturesque north coast Bouley Bay played host once again to the Jersey Motorcycle & Light Car Club’s hillclimb. With early morning warm sunshine beating down on the island, the pits were alive and bustling as visiting competitors joined locals in preparing for the day’s racing.
The event, comprising rounds 17 and 18 of the British Hillclimb Championship, showcased the twists and turns of the 924-metre course and welcomed some of the UK’s fastest hillclimb cars. Among them, hill record holder Trevor Willis returned, hoping to maintain his status as one of the most successful drivers at the challenging course. Also joining were BHC front-runners Will Hall, Wallace Menzies, and Matthew Ryder, all in similar Gould GR59 racing cars.
The event format allows only the fastest 12 drivers to enter the “run-offs” to compete for championship points. Finding pace early is key to ensure a spot among the quickest.
Menzies set the pace early, being the only driver to break the 40-second barrier in practice. He maintained his season-long consistency, securing second in run-off 1 and winning run-off 2 with a 37.85. Meanwhile, Ryder overcame an early scare, running wide into a hedge at the first bend, but recovered to take the top spot in run-off 1 with a blistering 37.55, the fastest time of the day. His second-place finish in run-off 2 ensured he maintained his 10-point championship lead over Menzies heading into the Guernsey rounds. Hall drove well to secure two third places and earn himself a good haul of championship points.
The Channel Islanders were on fine form, with four qualifying for the run-offs. A superb performance from Michael Salmon saw him piloting his 1998cc OMS and holding his own against much more powerful machinery. Storming to a personal best of 38.80 seconds at the crucial moment, he secured 6th and 7th in the two run-offs. Alongside Glyn Moignard, who grabbed a 10th spot, the pair claimed the first local points since 2019.
Sarnian Andy Bougourd, driving his 1630cc Force PT, managed to clinch a very strong 5th place in run-off 1. Fellow Guernseyman Nick Saunders was hot on Salmon’s tail, placing 7th in the first and 8th in the second. The duo will look to maintain their momentum on home soil when the Championship visits Val des Terres.
Although Trevor Willis’s course record stood firm, many competitors celebrated personal bests. In the Rally Cars 1,601-2,000 cc class, Joao Rodrigues claimed victory in his Ford Escort with a 48.64, followed by Keith Pinel, Sam Galvin, and Nathan Beddoe, all setting personal bests.
In the 351-500cc Motorcycles class, it was a familiar battle between Adam Vibert and Matthew Le Brun for honours. With the two riders occupying the top spots consistently for the past few years, it was no different this time. Le Brun was fastest after the morning’s practice but Vibert, once getting used to his new Michelin rear tyre, came back stronger later in the day to eventually win the class and match his personal best time on the hill of 43.30 seconds. Jake Holland rounded out the top three with a personal best of his own, while Daniel Lagadu and Larry Vibert completed the top five positions of a 22-strong field.
The event, supported by The Mansell Collection, ran smoothly thanks to the dedication of marshals and officials. The season’s final hillclimb is scheduled for 25th August, Bank Holiday Monday, with racing set to start at 10am.
(words by Ryan Hidrio)
