The weekend of Saturday 23rd & Sunday 24th April sees the opening rounds of the British Hillclimb Championship (BHC), presented by Avon Tyres and BHC Cup, presented by Footman James take place in the beautiful rolling Cotswold countryside of Prescott Hillclimb, owned and run by the Bugatti Owners’ Club (BOC).
2022 is the 75th anniversary of the first ever BHC round of what is the “oldest” British Championship, a fact that all associated with running it over the years are very proud of. The inaugural event was run on 17th May 1947 at Bo’ness near Falkirk in Scotland. The 1947 Championship consisted of just five rounds at Prescott, Shelsley Walsh, Bo’ness, Bouley Bay in Jersey and Craigantlet on the outskirts of Belfast in Northern Ireland. Of the original five venues, ironically only Bo’ness does not currently host a round of the BHC. The Championship has now expanded considerably and consists of thirty rounds at ten different venues across the whole of the UK. Prescott therefore holds a very special place in BHC history.
Prescott is known to be a “drivers” hill. Its technical, tight and twisty nature rewards a smooth and precise approach. Any time lost, either locking a wheel into the slow corners, or getting sideways on corner exit, invariably shows on the stopwatch. Its beautiful Cotswold location and natural amphitheatre make for excellent spectator viewing too. In April the majority of the hill can be viewed with ease from the spectator enclosures. Here you will be able to see for yourself both the speed and precision needed to set a competitive time at Prescott.
Prescott usually attracts all of the top BHC & BHC Cup contenders. 2022 is no exception, with the entry boasting nine of the 2021 top ten finishing drivers including reigning Champion Wallace Menzies in his Cosworth XD engined Gould GR59-M. The highly experienced Will Hall is out for the first time in the “works” Gould GR59J, which he is sharing with twenty six year-old Matt Ryder. This is also Matt’s first season in the powerful Gould. Will and Matt should hopefully give Wallace and the other top contenders something to think about during the season.
Competition is sure to be fierce as registered contenders fight to score BHC points. As well as being two rounds of the BHC & BHC Cup the event is also the first event of the BMTR/Wynn Developments Midland Hillclimb Championship season. Saturday will see motorcycles take to the track in their National Championship as will the Ferrari Hillclimb Championship. Along with two additional BOC organised Championships, where a wide variety of road-going and racing cars will compete over the weekend, it is going to be a busy one!
Competitive action is scheduled to start at 8.30am on both days and will continue for the majority of the day. Advance tickets can be purchased by clicking on the button below.
Prescott is a family friendly venue. All are welcome. So, bring a picnic, sit back and watch the cream of British Hillclimbing as they kick off their 2022 season. It’s going to be a good one!