DRIVERS and riders had a real need for speed over the bank holiday weekend, as a spectacular four days of back-to-back hillclimb action saw a fitting conclusion to what has been an electrifying season.
Competitors got their annual shot at taking on the twisting hills of Mont Pinel and Greve De Lecq, before bank holiday Monday bore witness to the speedsters gunning for records at Bouley Bay, with several being toppled to make for a conclusion which will go down in the history books.
“After what has been a great season, this weekend really was a fitting conclusion. Of course, it always feels too short, but it’s been amazing, and everyone really made the most out of their runs,” said Alex Salmon, Vice President of the Classic Vintage & Modern Racing Club of Jersey (CVMRC).
“Throughout the weekend, it was a really nice atmosphere to wrap up the season. We had so many people come up to watch, and it’s great to see Jersey motorsport get that support.”
As well as presenting speedy thrills for the spectators, Jersey motorsport takes it’s role in drawing people to the Island very seriously, with Salmon adding: “Motorsport in Jersey, especially the hillclimbs, have been a big part of the Island’s culture for many, many years, not just for the locals, but tourism as well.
“These events are drawing people in, and we make sure that we’re filling hotel rooms for motorsport. There’s over probably 65 – 70 motorsport events in Jersey, all of which bring people in, supporting local businesses and the Island’s economy.”
Before we get into the events, a massive thank you must be extended to all the volunteers across the four days, as everyone said these events simply couldn’t happen without their incredible support.
Mont Pinel
Competitors graced Mont Pinel to kick off the thrilling slate of hillclimbs. The course was a tricky one, consisting of a very long straight off the line to the tight hairpin, which then snakes right and left before getting to the finishing straight.
The event wasn’t without it’s milestones, as Greg Mansell brought out and rode on the new Ducati Desmo450 MX, in what was the hillclimb debut of Ducati’s first ever motocross bike.
Even though this was the first and only event at Mont Pinel for the year, times didn’t suffer, as participants showcased some serious speed and control.
Matthew Le Brun, who starred all weekend with blistering speed, certainly started on the right foot, clocking rapid times in two classes to be the toast of the motorcycles at Mont Pinel. The Jerseyman clocked an impressive 33.23 second time in the 251cc-350cc road motorcycle class, before then achieving 33.43 seconds to best his efforts in the 351-500cc group, in what was his first run in that class.
Adam Vibert did get close, but just fell short, with a top time of 33.62.
There was a good turnout for the cars, esepcially in the M and M2 Sports Cars classes, with several sub-40 times. Among those stacked classes, James Ahier topped the M2 category with 36.39, and Richard Wilson was a step above the rest in the M group, with 37.74.
Dave Oliveira blazed his way to a time of 34.25 in his Ford Escort Mk2, but Len Amy was simply unstoppable in the Mallock Mk32, setting the hill alight with a staggering 33.55, clocking the fastest car time on the event.
Greve De Lecq
After such a thrilling start, the large entry of competitors then welcomed the challenge of Greve De Lecq, which many have said to be “Jersey’s quickest hillclimb”.
Le Brun began right where he left off, once again being the cream of the crop in the 251cc-350cc with a whirlwind 34.72 second time on Saturday.
Amy returned on Saturday with the Mallock Mk32, ruling the roost of cars, as well as clocking the fastest overall time of the day, with a quick 34.13 on his fourth run.
Following the action-packed Saturday, Sunday looked all set to keep the exciting moments coming.
Sam Touzel, fresh off his momentous Protyre Asphalt Championship victory, more than showed his ability on two wheels, clocking the fastest motorcycle time of the day on his penultimate run in the 501-750cc class, with 34.88 seconds. Although that was rapid, it just fell short of Le Brun’s time, meaning he had the weekend’s second-fastest time on two wheels.
Yet again, the entry for cars was huge, and it was great to see the vast talent on offer, with plenty of nip-and-tuck battles over the weekend.
Salmon traded out Saturday’s Triumph TR7 to compete in his Westfield on the Sunday, which certainly left an impression. After clocking a best time of 40.85 in his TR7 the previous day, Salmon burst out the blocks on Sunday to achieve the weekend’s second quickest time on four wheels, with an impressive 34.64.
“It’s just all about hitting your marks and ensuring you’re carrying enough speed through. But, you can’t overpush it on a corner, as here, you’ll find a tree, bank or granite wall,” Salmon said.
“Within the first few corners, you know if it’s going to be a good run or not. Looking back at my footage, on the top of the hill there is a stone wall on the inside, which was like mere inches from my front tire, so it’s really fun to have such a tight margin.”
Unfortunately, there were a couple of incidents over the weekend, but thankfully there were no major injuries. Normandy rescue were on the scene, and the CVMRC are very grateful for their support.
After all was said and done, a trophy was presented to the driver/rider of the weekend, and the “84-years young” Jim Langlois took the honours, after clocking 40.96 in his Caterham on Saturday.
“Jimmy (Langlois) is very much still up there with the fastest time, and he drives his Caterham seven like he’s a 20 year old,” Salmon continued.
“Him winning this just goes to show that motorsport has a place for everyone, and that if he can do it, it’s fair to say we all have a good few years in us to keep going.”
Bouley Bay
Bouley Bay’s hillclimb wrapped up the season in style, as spectators witnessed the fall of a staggering seven records.
Guernsey’s Jez Mann took the day’s first record, on board his Lambretta scooter. He continually improved on his time throughout the day, setting a new benchmark in the Scooter 150-249cc class of 53.59 seconds on his final run.
Greg Mansell, riding his BMW R1300GS, claimed the Motorcycles Unlimited class record. After coming painstakingly close earlier in the year, Mansell saved his best for last, as on the final run of the day he stormed to the finish line in a time of 45.13 seconds, beating Andy Simpson’s record of 45.15 seconds that had stood since 2010.
There was further thrilling action on two wheels, as over 20 riders battled it out in the Motorcycles 351-500cc class. Matt le Brun laid down the gauntlet early on as the fastest rider in practice, posting a sub-44 second run, but Adam Vibert responded as the official runs got underway to take the lead from Le Brun in the afternoon. It was Vibert’s next run where it all came together, as he carved his KTM SMR 450 towards the finish line in a time of 42.93 seconds to stake his claim as 351-500cc record holder. Vibert’s new class record also earns him the achievement of outright motorcycle record at Bouley Bay.
On four wheels, Michael Salmon and his OMS racing car would take the accolade for fastest time of the day, reaching the top of the hill in a time of 39.42 seconds.
In a similar machine, Glyn Moignard powered his OMS to the finish line in 41.47 seconds, claiming the Racing Cars 601-1100cc class record, shaving just over a tenth of a second.
A great drive from Paul Vibert saw him top his own record from a few years prior, improving by a solid 0.46 seconds to set the time at 50.20 seconds.
In the Road-Going Series Production 1401-2000cc class, Stewart Barrow piloted his Lotus Elise to beat his own time from 2024, setting a new record of 48.58 seconds.
Another driver improving on their own performance was Jack Hinton, racing his Vauxhall Nova in the Rally Cars 1401-1600cc class, he was on the pace from very early on. Hinton’s own record from 2024 was lowered twice during the event and, following his final run of the day, the record stood at 49.32 seconds.
