ROD Thorne defied the slippery conditions to grab a debut win in his newly acquired Pilbeam MP58 single-seater at Wiscombe Park’s first meeting of the season.
The Frampton speedster’s learning curve was certainly a steep one for he had not driven the three-and-a-half litre Judd powered machine in the wet prior to the event’s practice sessions.
The morning practice period had seen Andrew Forsyth, also MP58 mounted but with Cosworth power, take the initiative with a climb of 46.18 seconds on a drying track, compared to Thorne’s 47.05.
Conditions improved for the first competitive runs with Forsyth improving his pace to record a climb of 43.11 seconds but Thorne, who was becoming accustomed to the more urgent power delivery of the Judd engine, retaliated with a storming effort of 42.46, which netted him one of the two Harry Foster Memorial Trophies for Fastest Time of the Day.
The second such award was destined for the fastest motorcycle competitor.
The man showing the ultimate speed on two wheels was the National Hill Climb Association’s champion Jimmy Hodges, who on board his Team GV Honda CRF thrilled the crowd with a virtuoso performance in a climb of 45.17.
Paul Richardson claimed victory in the Vintage Sports Car Club class with a time of 53.45 in Donald Day’s ERA R12B.
The Wiscombe Park season continues today (10am) with two days of championship hillclimbing.
Among the car entry, local drivers include Rod’s wife Hayley and Dorchester’s Stewart Green in the Roadgoing Specialist Production Car, both in Westfield sports cars.
A similar but more modified Westfield will be seen in the hands of father and son duo Graham and Geoff Blake from Weymouth.
The battle for the Fastest Time of the Day will see four men sharing the driving duties in two Pilbeam MP58 single-seater racing cars.
Thorne will be seeking a repeat of last weekend’s victory when he and fellow Framptonite Colin Pook take to the track in the former’s 3.5 litre Judd powered machine while the other MP58, with Cosworth power, will be driven by the father and son combination of John and Andrew Forsyth.
Wiscombe Park is situated north of Blackberry Camp and will be signposted from Honiton and on the A3052.
For more information visit the website wiscombepark.co.uk
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