Hulbert ends year on a high with R4D record

Mac Hulbert and his ERA R4D claimed their third major hillclimb scalp of the VSCC year when its season was wrapped up at Loton Park in late September.

Hulbert guided the ex-Raymond Mays car up the Shropshire hill to stop the clocks in 62.26sec and claim fastest time of the meeting, adding to similar successes at Shelsley Walsh and Harewood. He also claimed a new class record for the hill, as James Baxter again mounted a spirited challenge in his single-seater Frazer Nash.

Baxter’s best of 63.42sec earned him the fastest pre-war car award as well as a class victory, but Hulbert remained tantalisingly out of reach. Prescott victor Bruce Spollon was 2sec adrift in ERA R8C.

Mark Walker’s bravado aboard his 1908 Panhard grand prix monster brought a 77.40sec climb and a new Edwardian record. William Mahany also set a new class standard in his HRG Le Mans.

Best of the vintage cars was the Morgan Super Aero of lain Stewart, with an attacking 65.51sec.

Another notable performer was Michael Fitzmaurice, who hustled his Austin 7 special to the top in 69.34sec to pip Tim Metcalfe’s Eccles Rapier Special in the 1100cc racing class.