Hillclimbs and Sprints
(mostly Hillclimbs)

Now you have your Kmidget, you'll be wanting to compete. The easiest route is to go hillclimbing (and sprinting). I'm in the MG Car Club, and enter the MGCC Luffield Speed Championship.  If you have time, why not check out some of the exciting action pics  here...

• At Prescott in May 2002 I arrived with an increasing oil-leak on my new conversion. As I started to struggle with releasing the alternator to give access to the offending oil take-off, I was joined by several fellow-competitors who stayed on the case for many hours until the car was ready for practice late in the afternoon. In particular, Chris Cooper did 50% of the spanner-work, and TerryP (bless) lent on the engine at the appropriate times.
• There 's always a seance around the effervescent AndyL's Arkley, as he encourages the sparks along the leads to achieve the melifluous chime of all 4 cylinders. Despite the advice, this is rarely the case, but I for one do not subscribe to the rumour that there's a hidden switch under the dash that kills #3 cylinder as Andy enters the paddock to 'explain' why DC pipped him by a couple of 1/100's.
• Jim Garvey was unstinting and tireless in his efforts to replace StephenH's Midget diff, which so inconveniently failed off the line at 'Combe (Oct 2002). Therefore, it was considered unsporting (but prudent) of Stephen to then pull rank and declare himself the lead driver in this shared car.
• There can't be anyone in the MGCC that hasn't helped Russ change a diff. (apart from one or two scrutineers, possibly).

• Prescott Hill, near Cheltenham
  Wonderful venue, fantastic scenery, great course, paddock is a real treat, helpful people - 9/10
• Harewood hill, near Leeds
  I was introduced to this venue by David Coulthard (he's not yet started his K conversion); it's like Prescott, but in Yorkshire (perfect!); brilliantly organised too, and so gets 10/10.
• Gurston Down (and up)
  Near Salisbury; unique course, well run, but no return road to the (grass!) paddock (means we all have to wait up the hill until the last of the batch has run- drop one mark) - 7/10
• Curborough
  This is not a hill, but a small tight sprint circuit near Lichfield; it suits the smaller car(!) very well, and is always expertly run by MAC and MGCC - 7/10
• Silverstone (not near anywhere)
  Don't fancy a day out here at all; poor paddock and spectator facilities at the other end of the circuit - 3/10
• Castle Combe (near Chippenham)
  Everything Silverstone should be for the club competitor; sprints well run by Bristol Aeroplane Car Club; good spectator venue for a circuit, and it's fast, and very scary (why not knock those big-ends into submission on a track day!) - 8/10
• Eelmore
  Near Farnborough; far exceeded my expectations, a great fun  tarmac course through the woods; when dry it's still more slippery than a wet fish, though - 7/10
• Wiscombe Park (deepest Devon)
  Like 2 courses in one - first bit through open fields (OK), then into a twisty wooded section (a little scary on green tarmac); grass paddock on a slope (it's a real pain in the arse to change wheels; and no return road) 7/10
• Colerne (near Chippenham)
  I'm just not a fan of  'cone courses' on runways - I never know which way I'm supposed to be heading (as if that would make a difference to my times); this one is always very windswept (rain or shine); 6/10
• Loton Park (near Shrewsbury)
  Only been up here once, and it rained in the afternoon; good spectator venue and scenery; like all good hills, very distinctive; 7/10
• Shelsley Walsh (near Worcester)
  Did my first event here, in the wet (all day); not a favourite hill (too short), but a great paddock - love those wooden garages: 6/10
• Llys-Y-Fran (near Haverfordwest, Pembroke)
  This is a hillclimb, based on the dam; no return road - all the cars convoy to the far end start paddock; mix of down and uphill; mix of surfaces; sudden changes in direction/gradient; narrow bridge over the dam; unusual and tricky; 5/10

(will add links later)