MARTIN Groves clinched the 2005 British Hillclimb Championship at Craigantlet in Northern Ireland in early August after a brilliant summer in which he won 19 of the 26 title rounds.

He finished second six times and had only one blank score, when a heavy storm washed out his qualifying run.

Since Craigantlet, Groves has been going faster still, breaking his own two-month-old hill record at the big Shelsley Walsh Centenary meeting in August. Next in his sights must be the outright Prescott hill record held by 2004 champion Adam Fleetwood.

While Groves' car will carry the elite number 1 plate next season, there's no let-up in the fight for second place between three of the sport's elite drivers, Willem Toet (Brackley), Roger Moran (Ludlow), and Mike Dean (Guernsey). All three are in top form and success at Prescott is vital if they are to finish the season on full throttle.

Prescott practice is tomorrow (Saturday), with the competitive runs starting at 10am on Sunday.

The 12 fastest drivers in the morning runs go forward to the first points-scoring title run-off just before lunch and the format is repeated in the afternoon with the second run-off completing the programme.

As well as the National title, there are several other championships in the programme, including the British Leaders series (based on class results in selected events) which looks set to go to Aylesbury's Trevor Willis. Other competitions include the Clarks Motorcycles Midland Championship, the Avon/BMTR Top Ten Challenge, the Paul Matty Sports Cars Classic Challenge and the Bugatti Owners' Club's Prescott Gold Cup.

These will all be decided in the second of Prescott's September Showdown events on September 24 and 25.

With some of the fastest racing cars in the sport in action, plus a strong local entry, Prescott will be at its best on this championship weekend.

The course is five miles north-east of Cheltenham between the villages of Gotherington and Gretton and the route will be RAC signed.

Adult admission is £10 on the Saturday and £15 on the Sunday. Accompanied children under-14 are admitted free and car parking is free.