JERSEY’S electrifying hill climb season returned in style over the weekend, as Bouley Bay’s iconic and demanding hill burst into life on Easter Monday for the first round of the 2026 season.
A thrilling day included the fastest motorcycle run ever recorded up Bouley Bay when Matt Le Brun took the 351-500cc Motorcycles class in 42.74 seconds.
Hosted by the Jersey Motorcycle & Light Car Club, an immense entry of 100 competitors took to the start line, as glorious weather and eager spectators welcomed the competitors.
Last season was a historic one, as star rider Adam Vibert blazed his way up the technical hill to smash the outright motorcycle record at Bouley Bay last August with a remarkable time of 42.93. To emphasise the scale of this achievement, only two other riders have recorded a time in the 42-second bracket: Le Brun and Oliver Holmes.
Vibert has had a strong pre-season and has just returned from a week in Spain where he tested suspension and mapping upgrades with the whole Supermotoland team. The Jerseyman ended the week with a wildcard in the Catalan Supermoto Championship, where he was able to seal a podium spot in his class – so it is fair to say he came prepared.
Vibert wasted no time in showing his intent for the year, once again rewriting the history books. Powering his new KTM 350 up the technical hill, Vibert lowered the 251-350cc Motorcycle class record by 0.17 seconds on his first official run.
He wasn’t finished there, as he went one further to shave off another 0.23 seconds after the lunch break, setting a new benchmark of 43.96 seconds.
Just 20 minutes later, returning competitor Jack Hinton and his Vauxhall Nova lowered his own record in the 1401-1600cc Rally Cars class. The multiple-time Jersey Rally class winner improved again later in the day, eventually setting a new mark of 48.94 seconds – a strong 0.38-second improvement on his best from August 2025.
In the Rally Cars 1601-2000cc class, Ollie Le Bailly continued to impress in his Ford Escort Mk2, steadily closing in on Sam Touzel’s long-standing 2022 record. Le Bailly ended the day with a personal best improved by over a third of a second, leaving him firmly in contention for a record of his own in the near future.
The third and final record to fall came in the hotly contested 351-500cc Motorcycles class, dominated by purpose-built Supermoto machinery. With 33 riders battling it out, Vibert and Le Brun once again set the pace from practice through to the timed runs. The pair traded positions throughout the day, but it was Le Brun who emerged victorious this time.
Having come agonisingly close in 2022 – missing the then-record by just 0.01 seconds – Le Brun delivered a stunning performance, hurling his Husqvarna 450 over the finish line in 42.74 seconds. The time not only secured the class record but also stands as the fastest motorcycle run ever recorded up Bouley Bay.
The fastest time of the event was set by Michael Salmon, who stormed up the hill in his OMS CF04 racing car in a blistering 39.76 seconds – the only competitor to break the 40-second barrier all day.
The JMC&LCC would like to thank all the volunteers and marshals for their hard work and dedication, and The Mansell Collection for their continued support.
Racing returns to Bouley Bay on Liberation Day, Saturday 9 May, with action getting underway at 10am.
