INTRODUCTION
Most people who remember, will know that I tried
to stay totally independent on my travels from club to club. But now that
I've retired, I can say without hesitation that my favourite event each
year was the Tregrehan 'clubbie' in July - the sun invariably shone, the
entry was small so everyone had value for money, and, without the pressures
of championship competition, everyone had a great day; drivers and spectators
alike. Just read on and you will see what I mean.
Tregrehan
Hillclimb
July 12th 1992
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The Young Pretender
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Although poorly supported with just 53 starters,
the Truro & District MC's july 'clubbie' produced one of the best events
in the region for many a year, with a bonus of two practise and four timed
runs for the drivers. A totally laid-back atmosphere disguised the many
close class battles and a cliff-hanging BTD contest.
The winner of the major pot was expected to come
from the three single seater drivers and when just 0.05secs separated their
first runs, it was obvious we were to witness a war. First time up, Keith
Richards' Ehrlich BDA (19.65s) led from the Royale of Simon Ashley (19.67s
and favourite Gary (Jesse) James (19.70s) in his FF2000 Sark. Richards
maintained his lead on climb two when both he and Ashley improved - now
with 0.03s between them. A slight shower slowed the third attempt,
but at the fourth time of asking, young Ashley left it at 19.31s, which
Richards failed to match by just 0.02s
The 1400cc road saloons had 3 different leaders
during the afternoon with Gary Schofield's Mini heading the first runs,
Steve Glasson's Nova taking over in the second round and Marcus Avery settling
the matter in his Mini Clubman with a final climb 0.2s ahead of Glasson.
Graham Heathman had the measure of the three car unlimited road car section
with his Mk2 RS and Nick Crocker enjoyed an easy victory in the 1400cc
road sports class in the Westfield, missing the record by a hundredth.
The 1800cc split was always Richard Earle's with the Seven, but Jo Bigger
had the Elan absolutely singing as she stormed up the hill to within 0.29s
of the Earle of Portwrinkle's best.
Wayne Grimshaw fought tooth and nail with Tony
Bonfield for 1400cc modified saloon honours. First Bonfield led, then Grimshaw,
until the final run when Bonfield climbed the Mini in a time out of reach
of the Imp. Roy Bray took the unlimited mod saloon prize with four consistent
drives in the 20s bracket; a regenerated Steve Hillson taking second in
his 1600 Escort.
Tony Brown had travelled down from the Midlands
and was leading all the way in a combined sports car class - until Jonathan
Williamson took his final run in the Porsche to head Brown's Sylva Leader
and the Westfield of Ian Chard with just 0.10s between the three!
 It
was no surprise when the then Hillclimb Leaders Champion, Mike Lee, enjoying
a day away from national competition, took the 1300cc Sports Libre win
and lowered the the class record in the process. Ian Tucker came
within 0.08s of his own 1700cc Sports Libre mark with the Twincam Mallock
and John Spenceley took his amazing JAP-engined Spenceley Special up the
hill in the low 22's to take the 1000cc racing car award.
| BTD Simon Ashley |
1.6 Royale RP31M Ford |
19.31s
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| Marcus Avery |
1.4 Mini Clubman |
23.55s
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| Graham Heathman |
2.0 Ford Escort RS Mk2 |
22.65s
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| Nick Crocker |
1.3 Westfield 7 |
21.81s
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| Richard Earle |
1.7 Lotus 7 |
22.20s
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| Tony Bonfield |
1.3 Mini |
23.42s
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| LeRoy Bray |
2.0 Ford Escort RS Mk1 |
20.63s
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| Jonathan Williamson |
3.2 Porsche 911 Carrera |
20.61s
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| Mike Lee |
1.3 Mallock U2 Mk16 BDH |
19.64s
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| Ian Tucker |
1.7 Mallock U2 Mk18B TC |
20.08s
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| John Spencley |
0.5 Spenceley Special JAP |
22.27s
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Rear View Mirror