Scammonden Dam seems to have undergone a bit of a renaissance recently. Not only has the lower holding paddock been surfaced, but the venue now provide bargain priced catering, a time display on the finish line and computer screens showing splits and sector times. However, one thing that doesn’t change is the weather! Whilst it stayed dry, a bitter wind blew all day for the North Western Centre’s event.
This was possibly the first time a Q-Type has ever graced Scammonden! Les Proctor’s supercharged car set remarkably consistent times, the best of which was 38.23. As usual, the Group 1 1501 to 2400cc class was the largest on the day. Helen Waddington in the ZR 160 and Michael Marsland in his TF 160 slugged it out, resulting in a minor off for Michael as the competition intensified. Michael’s best was a 30.70 and Helen a quarter of a second quicker on 30.45. Ian Howlett in the MGF slipped under to 30 second barrier, to set a new MGF/TF record of 29.72, whilst I took the class win and a new record, on the ZR 160, on a 29.45.
A number of cars ran as singleton entries in various classes, but the inter-car competition was just as keen. Robbie Pritchard got bragging rights down the pub over Graham Collyer. Driving the ex-Darren Porter Championship winning MGF, Robbie beat Graham’s Midget by over a second, with a new Group 2 MGF record of 29.78. Tim Kirkham’s ZS 180 split the pair, on a 30.06, which also broke the previous Group 2 ZS 180 record. Jimmie Johnson went home happy in his Cockshoot Cup MG ZR 170 race car, having posted a 29.11 on his final run.
A couple of K-Series Midgets made up the Road Going Specials class. Danny Cusworth’s car was too much for Alasdair Scoobie’s version. Danny’s last run of the day being his best – 28.35 versus Alasdair’s 32.24.
Richard Watkinson’s Midget set a 27.28 for the smaller Racing Specials Class, just 0.05 slower than Nick Walker in the now repaired MGB V8 from the larger Racing Specials Class. Brother Andy set MG TFD with a blistering 26.23, to pick-up the Kimber Trophy.
Reviewed by David Coulthard
Scammonden Dam Hill Climb Report
