SHELSLEY Walsh Hill Climb is a unique motor racing experience combining the thrills of Formula One and the spills of rallying.

The full-blooded roar of the engines shooting up the 1,000-yard course in the Teme Valley sends adrenaline pumping through the veins of racing drivers and spectators alike.

It is an exhilarating feeling to see these powerful machines purring in the paddock preparing to accelerate up the steep climb to the finishing line.

A quick glance in any direction and you can be savouring the raw power of a six wheel F1 Tyrrell, the elegance of a Bugatti, or the style of a Lotus McLaren plus numerous other F1 and Formula Ford cars - it is a car enthusiast's dream.

The course rises 300ft from start to finish and in the closing straight, the F1 thoroughbreds have been known to touch speeds of 150mph, with the record from top to bottom some 25 seconds.

Flying Scotsman, Graeme Wight Junior, who broke the nine-year-old track record during June's racing meeting with the fastest time in Shelsley's 96-year history, was averaging more than 81mph during his run of 25.28 seconds.

Hill climbing attracts a range of racers from different backgrounds and abilities but all share a love of speed.

Herefordshire farmer, John Jones, drives a turbo-charged Jedi (as in warrior) car with a motorbike engine, which according to his mechanic is as "mad as a box of frogs".

John, from Kington, returned to hill climb racing two years ago after a break of 20 years and loves the spirit of the paddock and the sensation of speed.

"During the week I drive a potato harvester that does around 2mph and then I get into something like this that can do 150mph - it's horrendous," he said.

"I usually have lots of hairy moments and I either seem to go well or come off, one or the other, but its great fun and I look forward to coming to the race meetings."

Local racer, Annie Goodyear, from nearby Shelsley Beauchamp, has won the British Women's Speed Championship for the last three years.

She became interested in the sport through her husband, Mark, who also races, and she races in the clubman, Hill Climb Super Sports section.

"My husband said he would only buy a car if I had a go, which I did and have been doing it ever since," she said.

"The nice thing about this type of racing is you only have to think about yourself, you don't have to worry about other cars on the circuit.

"It is dangerous but so is crossing the road.

"Some people have a natural flair for it but the more you spend behind the wheel the more confident you get.

"You make mistakes but that is part of learning."

Shelsley Walsh Hill Climb's history as a race track dates back to 1905 when it was discovered as a farm track by the Midland Automobile Club.

Since then, apart from the two wars, it has been in continuous use and its popularity has never waned.

"It has always been very popular but has never had the exposure that circuit racing has had," said Dave Nursey, MAC clerk to the course.

"Possibly this is because it is seen as less exciting because it only has one car going at one time but it is actually very exciting.

"Shelsley is very challenging, partly because you need a lot of power to successfully negotiate it and also because the course is very narrow in parts."