Fantastic racing action in idyllic summer surroundings.
An impressive, if slightly surreal view greets the visitor to this unique historic motorsport event based just outside Droitwich. Surreal because, as you wind your way into the grounds, you are transported into idyllic surroundings more akin to a mansion in the south of France than the post-industrial West Midlands. Autosport Magazine in the 1950s, hailed Chateau Impney as “easily the most picturesque of this country’s sprint and hill- climb venues” and over sixty years later, the same remains true.
Despite only being in its fourth year, the Chateau Impney Hillclimb has already become a cornerstone of the historic motorsport calendar and offers the racing fan unrivalled access to the paddocks to get up close to a vast array of vintage and classic racing cars. The feeling of history wrapped up in this event is instantly recognisable. Straw bales line the track which, on any other day of the year, is the entrance road to the house. The event and venue for the most part, remain presented exactly the same as they were when the first speed event took place here in 1957 and the effect is truly spellbinding. It was the Hagley and District Light Motor Club that organised this thrilling event back then, in a golden era of motorsport when drivers were macho heroes that wrestled with their machines. In those days, as now, the variety of machines taking to the course was huge and the attraction for fans to wander in amongst cars driven by a mix of amateur and professional racing drivers was the major draw.
Motorsport ended at Chateau Impney in 1967 but was revived in 2015 with a track that is now double the length and even more challenging than the original course. The 2018 edition attracted over 10,000 visitors over the two days and featured over 100 supercars, RAF Flypast, Tank experience and a display of Group B rally cars in addition to the timed motorsport action which was split into eighteen different classes and era’s.
Malcolm Thorne’s 1965 Lotus 35 Formula 2 car set the pace slashing half a second off the record up the half mile course set last year.
Saturday practice came to a sudden end though when the Ford Model T V8 driven by Brett Pillinger came off at Raven’s Crest, right in front of the chateau. Pillinger flew up the bank and demolished part of the wall protecting the VIP viewing patio. Spectators were sent scrambling to get out of the way and Pillinger was fortunate enough to emerge from the car with only minor injuries. Sunday’s session sported new straw bales protecting the top of Raven’s Crest as a result.
Malcolm Thorne was back on day two to claim fastest time of the day with a 38.86s placing him a second ahead of the next chaser and under the previous course record of 39.33s. Up and coming Ginetta Supercup driver, Angus Fender drove his Cambridge & Counties Bank sponsored G50 up the hill to show off the skills and machines from the current crop of future racing stars.
Class 12 was won by Rod Jolley in his Cooper T45/51 who greatly entertained onlookers, as did the Lola T70 Spyder of Justin Maeers who won Class 15. Alastair Moffat also successfully achieved his world record target of eight figure of 8s in his 124 Abarth Spyder to rapturous applause.
Bigger and better than ever, this year’s Chateau Impney Hillclimb featured over 200 race cars. Impressively, with the static display from the Supercar Drivers Club included, the collection of cars at the event boasted a total value of over £450 million! This year’s Chateau Impney Hillclimb offered a truly special and memorable weekend of historic motorsport set in the most stunning of locations, a real treat for anyone who loves classic and vintage cars as much as we do.
