THE CHATEAU Impney Hill Climb, held in the summer for the first time in half a century, will now become an annual event, The Standard can reveal.
The organisers of the popular event, which brought in £1million to the local economy, confirmed the news this week, following this year’s success.
The 2016 days of racing will take place on Saturday (July 9) and Sunday (July 10) when 200 cars, all built before 1967, will be invited to tackle the challenging 885 metre course.
The inaugural event saw around 10,000 people flock to the grounds of the unique Droitwich hotel to welcome motorsport back to the venue.
Car enthusiasts turned out in force to see a variety of classic vehicles, including the Fiat S76, best known as the Beast of Turin, pre-war Grand Prix Bugatti Type 35s, a Historic Monaco-winning Alfa Romeo P3 Tipo B, over half of the world’s remaining ERAs, and a huge number of 1950s and 1960s sports cars, including C-Type and D-Type Jaguars.
Rod Spollon, chairman of the Chateau Impney Hill Climb Club, said he was delighted the event would become a yearly meet.
“The support, positive feedback and enthusiasm from both spectators and competitors has been overwhelming and it’s satisfying to know that the new course provided a true challenge, even for some of the most experienced competitors on the hill climb and historic circuit.”
Driver Jack Woodhouse, who set the fastest time of day at the inaugural 2015 event with a time of 42.42 seconds in his first ever hill climb, will return to defend his title in his Lotus 20/22 after receiving an honorary invite from the organisers.
And Mark Riley, who won Class 10 at the inaugural event in the Creamer Special, was full of praise for the event.
He added: “If I had to compete in only one event in England, I would want to go back to Chateau Impney.
“I hold records at Prescott and Bo’ness and I love them all, but the Chateau is very special.
“The track isn’t what you expect. I walked it and planned it out, but when you drive it, it’s very different.
“It’s a technical hill and the setting is absolutely gorgeous.”
As well as the racing, the event will feature spectacular air displays, a vintage funfair, big screens so viewers do not miss any of the action and the Concours d’Elegance featuring some of the world’s most beautiful cars.
There will also be a variety of trade stands, local food and drink vendors and spectators will again get free access to the grandstands and be able to explore the open paddock, enabling them to get up close and personal with the drivers and impressive cars facing the Chateau Impney challenge.
Tickets for next year’s Chateau Impney Hill Climb, which are now on sale, are £20 for adults and, as with this year and to encourage youngsters, under 16s will be admitted free with a ticket-holding adult.
An early bird discount will see those who book tickets before December 18, 2015, get a 25 per cent reduction on the tickets they buy.
Tickets can be purchased online at www.chateauimpneyhillclimb.com or by calling 0845 017 0637.
