THE Midland Automobile Club (MAC) has announced dates for the 2009 season at the Shelsley Walsh hill climb track — the oldest motorsport venue in the world still in use over its original course.

The MAC’s 109th year of operation starts as early as March 8 next year when the famous Peter Blankstone Memorial Sporting Trial will again be held at Shelsley Walsh.

The event, which is not run over the hill climb course, will take place at the top of the car park field and the orchard field above the church.

SHELSLEY WALSH 2009 FIXTURES

May 3 and 4 (Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday): The May Midlander — a round of the Midland Hill Climb Championship and the Paul Matty Lotus Championship.

May 30 and 31: The British — a round of the MSA British Hill Climb Championship and the MSA Hill Climb Leaders Championship.

July 4 and 5: The Reg Phillips Trophy and vintage meetings, including rounds of various one-make and regional hill climb championships incorporating the coveted Reg Phillips Trophy (Saturday) and the vintage meeting featuring a host of vintage racing and sports cars (Sunday).

July 18 and 19: The Shelsley mid-summer (Saturday) and classic (Sunday) meetings.

The classic meeting is supported by Classic and Sports Car Magazine, who will once again be featuring a concours in the spectators and visitors car park.

The weekend will see a competitive field of post-war classic racing and sports cars and some much older ones too.

August 15 and 16: The biggest hill climb event of the year and, since 1905, the oldest.

A round of the MSA British Hill Climb Championship and the MSA Hill Climb Leaders Championship.

The fastest cars in British hill climbing vie for the best time of the day in two exciting top-12 run-offs.

September 19 and 20: Season finalé at Shelsley Walsh. Two one-day meetings, including the Midland Speed Championship on the Saturday and the Hill Climb and Sprint Association Championship on the Sunday.