Chateau Impney Hillclimb 2015; British, German, U.S.

Austin 7 Kaye Petre Replica, Francesca Wilton. Click to enlarge.

Allow us to digress. Mr. Sharp has returned from his foray with a wealth of photos, and although not one car below was built in France or Italy, we feel that you will enjoy the article in any event. For all the Italian and French cars that appeared at Chateau Impney, click here. Ed.

Story and Photos by Jonathan Sharp

Chateau Impney is in Droitwich, near the middle of England. Originally held between 1957 and 1967 the Chateau Impney Speed Trials, as the event was originally titled, was organized by the local Hagley and District Light car club and attracted many of the top exponents of sprinting and hill climbing of the time including Tony Marsh, Phil Scragg and David Good.

The original course was very twisty but only 550 yards long. The 2015 course now extends to just over 1000 yards. In period the course record was set by Tony Griffiths, driving a BRM P48. His time was 22.07. The fastest time in 2015 was 42.42 seconds set by Jack Woodhouse in his Lotus 20/22.

Course is laid out on the grounds of the famous Chateau.

My lasting memory of the weekend has to be watching James Baxter, Nicholas Topliss and Paddins Dowling in their respective ERAs; James Baxter’s time of 44.04 secs was only beaten by very much later Lotuses and an Elden MK6 Formula Ford.

And, the good news is that the event is scheduled again for 2016 and I for one hope to be there again.

CLICK ON IMAGES TO ENLARGE AND TO SEE DIFFERENT VIEWS

Ac Ace, ex Ken Rudd, Steven Gray.

AC-Cobra, Martin-Hunt.

Ian Baxter’s six wheel Alta.

Austin Hall Scott, Edward Way, driver..

BRM P48, Hall and Hall.

Daimler-Mercedes-Rennwagen, David Biggins.

ERA B Type, Barrie ‘Whizzo’ Williams.

ERA-GP1, Duncan Ricketts.

ERA R10B, Paddins Dowling.

Martin Butterworth’s Fafnir.

Fraser-Nash Le Mans, Peter Roberts.

Fraser-Nash Martyr, Hughie Walker.

Fraser Nash Saloon, Owelett Patrick Blakeney Edwards.

GN-Wasp, Winston Teague.

GN Spyder II, Martin Spence.

GN-Phoenix Special, Ben Enticknap.

Gnat, John Wiseman

Grannie, Gary Clare.

Hardy Special, Rachel Williams.

HWM-Jaguar, David-Morris.

Issigonis Special Lightweight of Andy Storers.

Jag C Type, David Brazell.

Kurtis Kraft KK500G, Fred Harper.

Maybach Metallurgique, Brian Moore.

Morgan Morgan Super Aero, Craig-Bibby.

Morgan-RIP-Special, Charlie Martin.

Napier Bentley, Chris Williams.

Richard Bolster Special, Paul Baker.

Riley-MPH, Daniel Geoghegan.

Riley TT Sprite, Tim Kneller.