Despite the cancellation of the British Hillcllimb Championship segment of this year’s Craigantlet hillclimb, round two of the Motorsport Supplies Association of Northern Ireland Car Clubs (ANICC) Championship for the other 69 ‘local’ drivers went ahead.
The overall winner of this event was Tim Woodside from Dunadry in his 2.9-litre Pilbeam MP82 with a time of 50.66 seconds (an average of 58.9 mph). Tim also won the first round of the ANICC Championship at Croft Hill Climb (Holywood, Co. Down) in April and appears to be setting the pace for others to follow.
The ANICC Championship Sponsor, Alan Cassells from Lurgan, in his 2.0 litre Force HRC, was the second fastest local competitor taking 51.46 seconds to cover the 1460 yards from start to finish, a mere average of 0.9 mph behind Tim.
Third place was awarded to Simon MacKay from Aberdeen in his 1.6 litre engined GWR Raptor Mistral taking 0.45 seconds longer than Alan to climb the hill averaging approximately 57.5 mph.
9% of the Motorsport Supplies ANICC Hill Climb Championship entries came from Belfast City, 12% from County Londonderry, 3% from County Armagh, 26% from County Antrim, 44% from County Down and 6% from the Republic of Ireland which reflects a truly cosmopolitan field.
All the class winners demonstrated their commitment and driving skills to entertain the crowds who ignored the steady rainfall to watch the best hill climbing machinery and drivers perform on one of the fastest hill climbs in Ireland. 7 of the 15 Class winners came from County Down whilst 4 came from County Antrim, 2 from Belfast, 1 from County Londonderry and 1 from County Armagh which reflects the depth of talented drivers we have here locally.
Clerk of the Course, Wilson Carson, on behalf of the UAC, took the opportunity at the driver’s briefing to thank Patterson Electronics Hytera Communications, for their second year as title sponsor.
He also expressed sincere thanks to all our other associated sponsors, supporters, volunteers, residents, marshals, competitors and spectators for their continued support for one of the oldest Hill Climbs in the UK which celebrated its 111th Anniversary this year.
At the prizegiving he congratulated all the winners and thanked them sincerely for continuing to enter the event and recognised the impact they have in showcasing Belfast and Northern Ireland as a truly special place to visit.
A few minor delays caused by mechanical failures, spewing fluids along the course and some folks visiting the scenery thankfully didn’t result in any injuries and the event finished safely before 18:30.
The Ulster Automobile Club congratulate all winners and once again would like to thank all the residents for their continued support and forbearance without which this annual spectacle would not be possible.
