A BRAND new format at Shelsley Walsh Hill Climb has been declared a huge success by competitors and organisers alike.

For the first time hosts Midland Automobile Club held a timed but non-competitive practice day for their members with free admission to spectators.

Making her debut was Abberley’s Anna-May Furness who squeezed in 13 runs in her Proton Satria before competing in the Roadgoing Series Production Cars up to 2000cc Class and ending up mid-table.

She said: “Having recently completed the driving school here I was amazed at how I could really put the instruction to good use in my first event and managed to produce consistent runs of 43 seconds.

“The car has run faultlessly and even sports some racy go faster stripes which I simply love.

“But then to actually go on and attain a 42.82-second run in competition is absolutely brilliant and I have had a truly enjoyable, fun and memorable time in the company of such friendly people.”

The Reg Phillips Trophy Meeting saw another local driver make his debut in Holt Heath’s Elliott Hall driving his Audi TT Coupe and he even managed to win his class.

He said: “As a relatively new club member I have spectated on many occasions and following untold banter and goading from regular Lotus Exige competitor and neighbour Paul Jones I decided to have a go myself and have loved every minute of it.

“Being awarded novice driver of the day at the recent driving school I had the confidence to tackle the hill and have managed to hit my target time of 34 seconds, which also took the class win. I am absolutely delighted and can’t wait for the next event. Thanks must go to the organisers for this great meeting.”

Championship drivers in Aston Martins and the Revington TR Register for Triumph cars competed together with a dozen machines in the 500 Owners Association Championship, producing class wins for Tom Whittaker, Steve Small and Charles Reynolds respectively.

Other class victors included Andrew Webber in a Lotus Elan, Simon Radnor in a Sylva Striker, Simon Jones in a Westfield, Duncan Andrews in a Porsche Cayman, Luke Trotman in a Mallock, Clive Austin in an Empire Wraith, Chris Stone in a Porsche 911, Mike Tregoning in a Pilbeam MP88 and David Gidden in a Lotus 23.

MAC competition secretary Robin Webb said: “We have received very positive feedback from competitors with many taking an amazing dozen runs which is great value for money.

“It gives them chance to try different driving lines and set-ups on their cars in a more relaxed atmosphere, all of which has proved to be very popular indeed so we hope to repeat this event again at some time in the future.

“The meeting took place in exceptionally hot conditions which didn’t favour the engines but certainly pleased the crowds with drivers having three practice runs in the morning and then two competition runs in the afternoon.

“Best time of the day went to Gary Thomas in his Force PC with a superb 27.87 seconds.”