RECORDS TUMBLED AT DOUNE this weekend, as the King of Hills returned for the final round of the Scottish Hillclimb Championship, and the penultimate round of the British.
Saturday saw almost half of the 90-strong field set personal bests, with 21 in the Scottish Championship and 16 in the British taking their cars faster than ever before.
It was a remarkably clean day with only one failed run, a driveshaft issue for 2024 and ’25 Champion, Gary Warren.
Times were even faster on Sunday, with two-thirds of the Scottish field achieving personal best times. Drivers such as Alex and Jenny Howells and Euan and John Bruce were taking seconds of their previous bests.
“My PB was 61.23, just done a 59.41… Oh, it’s just flying!” – Jenny Howells
Absent at Doune was Matt Ryder, ‘2025 Champion‘ being one of two monikers picked up following the last event at Prescott. The second – ‘Dad’, as the Ryders welcomed their first child into the world.
Matt Ryder was absent in Doune, picking up two titles at the previous event in Prescott. The first being ‘2025 Champion‘, a few days, the second was ‘Dad’ – as the Ryders welcomed their second child into the world.
His car still entered though, at the hands of the June events’ quickest, Sean Gould.
Second in the championship was tight between Will Hall and Wallace Menzies, but through practice and runoff qualifiers the pair looked to be a little behind the pace of Sean Gould.
Come the first run, fresh rubber provided both Hall and Menzies with the grip to put Gould third. Will set a Personal Best 35.17 and Sean was just 5 hundredths behind Wallace.
David Uren was also fast, putting his older Gould GR55 only a tenth behind Sean in the championship winning GR59.
Runoff two saw repeat at the front, with Will Hall taking a double win at Doune, Wallace was 0.17s behind.
David Uren next, and he impressed once again, going only 0.13s slower than Menzies.
Sean was then flying behind, 8 tenths up on Wallace into the esses he looked on for a 35 dead. Hurtling towards the final corner, a bit too much curb and a bit less braking than required sent him into the inside barrier, claiming his front wing and ending his final run.
You could hear the unfortunate crunch from the bottom of the meadows, as we wondered what fate Gould’s Gould had met.
Jimmy Harris also had a great weekend, securing his BHC Cup win for this year at Doune.
Andy Short brought the fireworks, his OMS CF07 donating it’s floor to a stunning shower of sparkles through the trees.
Euan Bruce began the Scottish running as usual, with both Bruces flying on Saturday, taking half a second off their bests.
The first runs on saw them separated by just 0.02s, Euan setting a new Class Record with a 58 dead.
On the second runs Euan found another breath-taking second to set a record 57.02 and Dad John put in a seemingly impossible lap – taking the MG ZR to a 56.93.
John was punching the air alongside shouting in joy and disbelief as he entered the top paddock.
“I’m lost for words. That was just, just, perfect…Nailed every corner. Cannot ask for more than that.” – John Bruce
A brilliant battle took place for A3 after being close all season, Thomas Rapson managed to topple a 15-year-old class record, but it wasn’t quite enough to stop David Reid in the rival Subaru Impreza from clinching 2025’s title.
No words. Still shaking” – Thomas Rapson
Ruaridh Seaton set the fastest Scottish Championship time of the day, he and his Force HC setting a very impressive 42.53.
This meant he had to do a speech at the end of the day, fear of all drivers in the paddock, on the week of his Birthday it led to double the red cheeks as the crowd then sung his birthday praise in unison.
For more detailed coverage of the Scottish Hill finale, including Garry Dickson’s spin atop East Brae, read here.
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