Hillclimbing resumed on Saturday the 8th August 2020 at Garron Point, organised by Mid Antrim Motor Club, this being the only hillcimb in Northern Ireland being able to run in 2020 due to Covid-19 restrictions.
The event had a fantastic entry of 70 cars, ranging from modern roadgoing cars to early 1900’s historic cars, and everything in between. The weather was very kind, being sunny and warm all day which meant the times on the hill were fast, with the majority of the practice runs close to class records.
Graham Thompson, on his first timed run of the day, was just 0.5 of a second off his hill record set back in 2015, this time was going to be very hard to beat all day for the rest of the single seaters. Alan Cassells was debuting his new OMS 25 on the hills and reported no issues with the car but needed to up the pace later in the day, this wasn’t to be as a moment on the last run didn’t see his time improve.
Ryan McGimpsey in the class 14 Jedi had a storming last run to finish 0.3 of a second behind Graham to finish 2nd O/A, this would drop Alan to 3rd O/A. John Donnelly debuted his new Pilbeam to the hills and had a good day improving his times all day to finish 4th O/A. Another man on the limit was Roger Gage in his Maguire Mini finishing 5th O/A.
In the Modified Category, Daniel Campbell was in a fantastic 6th O/A and 1st in class 9A. Oliver Cormican was another man to bring out a new car to the hills with his VW Polo Evo, winning class 12, regular competitor Ivan McCullough in his Nissan GTR rounds off the top 3 modified and 2nd in Class 12.
In the Roadgoing Category, Andrew Robb in his BMW M3 was fastest, and winning class 2A. Conor Hamill was 2nd Roadgoing and 2nd in class 2A in his V8 BMW M3, with Adrian Mullholland in 3rd.
In the Specialist Category Roger Gage was the fastest in the Maguire Mini and winning class 8, with David Hawthorne in 2nd and winning class 7, Paul Hamill was 3rd specialist and 2nd in Class 7.
In the historic classes, Gerry McGarrity was the winner of class 16A in his Mini, he certainly knows how to drive a mini on the limit at all times, Robert McGimpsey was the class 16B winner in the Turner.
Well done to all the class award winners and thanks to all the competitors who supported the event and the club in running the event with demanding protocols and rules that have to be followed in the new normal for everyone, Thanks to all the Marshalls, rescue crew, medical team and club officials in making this a very enjoyable day for everyone.
Words: ALAN CASSELLS #5 | Photos: Gary Craig Motorsport Photography
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