A Thrilling Three-Way Contest in the British Hillclimb Championship
The British Hillclimb Championship is quickly becoming a fiercely contested battle among three drivers: defending champion Matthew Ryder, former champion Wallace Menzies, and rising star Will Hall. After the first six of 26 run-offs, the competition has been incredibly tight, with Hall holding a narrow lead in points. The race for the title is shaping up to be one of the most exciting in recent years.
Points Standings and Close Rivalry
Hall currently leads the standings with 57 points, while Ryder and Menzies are tied on 51 points each. The level of competition has been so intense that four of the six run-offs have been decided by less than a tenth of a second. All three drivers are using state-of-the-art Gould GR59s, which have allowed them to push the limits of performance and start to pull away from the rest of the field.
Early Season Highlights
The season kicked off at Prescott in late April, where Ryder and Hall each took narrow victories. Ryder claimed the opening win by just 0.03 seconds, but Hall quickly turned the tables with a 0.13-second advantage in the next run-off. Menzies was close behind both of them, finishing in third place.
At Craigantlet in Northern Ireland, Ryder continued his strong form, winning both run-offs at a record-breaking pace. Hall finished just 0.04 seconds behind each time, while Menzies secured two third-place finishes.
Harewood: A Turning Point
The action then moved to Harewood in Yorkshire for rounds five and six last weekend. It was here that things took an unexpected turn for Ryder. During the first run-off, a sensor problem caused the engine to enter limp mode, ruining his chances. Menzies capitalized on the situation, taking his first victory of the season with a time of 47.11 seconds, edging out Hall by 0.07 seconds.
With the issue resolved, Ryder made a strong comeback in the final run-off of the day. Despite a modest start, he managed to claw back lost time and push Hall into second place, with Menzies finishing third. This marked the first time since Ryder set a new hill record three years ago that someone had broken the 47-second barrier.
Reactions from the Drivers
Ryder praised his rivals, saying, “Will and Wallace are really on it this year, and the competition and pace are really top notch.” Hall, meanwhile, expressed his satisfaction with his progress, stating, “I’m over the moon with how it’s going so far this year.” Menzies also acknowledged the high level of competition, calling it a “super season.”
Other Contenders in the Championship
Behind the top three, championship veterans Trevor Willis (OMS 28) and David Uren (Gould GR55) are next in line. Young driver Alex Coles, who is competing in a 1.3-litre supercharged Force TA, has been consistent, securing a sixth-place finish in the points. Coles has been in the points in every run-off so far, and is currently battling with Paul Haimes, who drives a 1.3-litre turbocharged GR59. Haimes had a strong performance at Harewood, earning joint fourth place in the final run-off.
