Avon ready for split venue Hillclimb double-header

Barbon Manor and Harewood Hill will play host to the Avon Tyres MSA British Hillclimb Championship this weekend 11-12 May, as the grass-roots championship arrives at its first of two split-venue race weekends of 2013. The Cumbria hill of Barbon Manor is the venue for competition on Saturday, with racers then travelling to the longest venue on the championship calendar – Harewood Hill – for Sunday’s action.

It was first blood to triple-champion, Scott Moran, at the opening round of the championship at Prescott Speed Hillclimb, taking a clean sweep at the Gloucestershire venue and he’ll be hoping to do the same again this weekend.

The May double-header is unlikely to be a straightforward affair for Moran, though; while Prescott acted as a proving ground for a number of competitors who made significant changes and upgrades to their cars over the winter break, this weekend is likely to be more representative of drivers’ true pace with the cobwebs now well and truly blown away. 

Reigning champion, Trevor Willis, is certain to be a contender for victory this weekend. Having made a number of changes to his championship-winning OMS 25 in the off-season, Willis, who placed sixth and third at the season opener, is now up to speed with his upgraded machinery and will be looking to get his title defence back on track this weekend. Having won at Barbon Manor on his last visit to the hill, he has even more reason to be optimistic of a strong result. 

Also stepping up this season is 2012 Rookie Champion, Alex Summers; Alex enjoyed a strong start to his 2013 season at Prescott, finishing second and eighth in the two run-offs, while Will Hall, who has a new car for this season, also impressed with two points finishes. 

The next rounds of the Avon Tyres MSA British Hillclimb Championship will be held at Barbon Manor and Harewood Hill on 11 May and 12 May respectively.