Bradley & Bainbridge star as the Tin Tops hit Wiscombe Park

Photo by Nigel Cole

Wiscombe Park Hillclimb in Devon played host to the BHC Tin Top – Top Ten Challenge presented by AET Turbos over the weekend of 26 & 27 July, and what a fantastic weekend it turned out to be.

Reigning Tin Top Champion Simon Bainbridge went into this weekend leading the championship by quite some margin in his ferocious Audi engined SBR Chrono, it would take something special to beat the very talented Middleborough based driver. 2023 Tin Top Champion Damien Bradley was without his multi-record holding Subaru Legacy. The car was somewhere in the Atlantic Ocean in transit back from a successful trip to the world famous Pikes Pike Hillclimb in Colorado. Instead he was sharing the recently constructed ‘Red Baron’ Subaru Impreza owned and built by Steven Darley. Could he or Steven apply some pressure to Simon?

The list of potential winners didn’t end there with the rocket ship Mitsubishi’s of Jim Herbert and Stephen Moore both entered and having been super-fast at Wiscombe Park in the past. Newcomer to the South Coast, Stuart Reid also made the trip down from Blairgowrie in Scotland in his very rapid little Peugeot 205. Although this was his first time at Wiscombe, Stuart has proven his driving ability time and time again against the big Hillclimb Monsters. An impressive collection of super powerful Porsches, an Austin Mini and regular Tin Top competitor Eric Morrey in his super cool Hillman Imp would be hoping for Tin Top points too. 

Photo by Nigel Cole

Round 5 on Saturday took place in glorious Devon sunshine and perfect track conditions. It would be the ‘Red Baron’ taking top honours with Damien half a second clear of Steven in 2^nd. Simon was a slightly frustrated 3^rd, only one hundredth of a second behind Steven. He only just managed to squeeze the monstrous Audi around the very tight Martini corner too, the sting in the tail of any run up Wiscombe!

Damien’s time of 38.88 seconds is believed to be the fastest ever time recorded for a Tin Top at Wiscombe Park. Quite an achievement for a relatively fresh build, particularly when you consider that it is not Damien’s car as well!

Round 6 on Sunday and the weather would come into play. Damien managed to squeeze in a dry run before the heavens opened making him top qualifier and also earning him a coveted place in the British Hillclimb Championship presented by Nova Motorsport Top 12 run off alongside many single seaters! A unique achievement in the sport. The other qualifiers fought it out during what was by now steady rain, with most opting for full wet tyres.  A number of drivers however didn’t have time to change tyres, including crazy Scot Stuart Reid who “sailed” his Peugeot 205 up a very wet track in 49 seconds on full slicks! 

Photo by Nigel Cole

The run-off took place in very challenging but drying conditions, Simon Bainbridge drove beautifully to take the second run off win, with Damien 2^nd and Steven Darley in 3^rd. A standout performance came from Stuart Reid who managed 4^th place in the run-off with a super quick time of 46.50 seconds on a very damp track. He beat a number of much more powerful four wheel drive cars into the bargain as well. Well done Stuart!

The BHC Tin Top – Top Ten Challenge presented by AET Turbos now heads for Shelsley Walsh over the weekend of 9^th & 10^th August. Rumour has it that the Pikes Peak Subaru Legacy may be back to defend its closed car record with Damien behind the wheel. This is one not to be missed. Get your discounted tickets now.

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