Shelsley Walsh hosts first ever Cycle Hill Climb
After motor racing on the world's oldest motor sport venue for 109 years, Shelsley Walsh is to have a first on Sunday October 5th 2014 with a competitive Cycling Hill Climb Time Trial.
Co-operating with the Worcester St John's and Wyre Forest (Kidderminster) Cycling Clubs the event will cover exactly the same course at Shelsley Walsh that was used for the pioneers of motor sport on 12th August 1905 and still a diamond in International motor sport with today's stunning F1 derived race car technology.
The course is a 1000 yard tarmac hill in the Teme Valley 10 miles west of Worcester that winds it's way off the start line, past Triangle, through Kennel and Crossing before the steepest part through the Esses and then the straight to the finish line.
It is steep and relentless necessitating competitors to pace themselves while keeping the cadence up and enough for that last burst as the chequered flag comes into sight.
Entries are open now at just £10 through shelsleywalshcyclehillclimb.co.uk with categories for Men, Ladies, Veterans, Juniors, Disabled with trophies to be awarded.
Held under the rules of the UK's cycling governing body, the CTT, the Shelsley Walsh Cycling Hill Climb has a huge advantage of being held on a private road and so will be free of traffic ensuring the utmost safety for the competitors.
For those on their Sunday cycle runs, spectators are free to come and watch with free entry on the gate.
Shelsley Walsh has a covered paddock area where the racing cars are normally garaged during motor racing events and so will double up as an area for cyclists to warm-up under cover. A full service restaurant will also be open for all racers and spectators experiencing more Shelsley Walsh history. Showers are also on site.
In tests earlier this summer the best time at Shelsley Walsh was logged by Richard Grimes (Freds Cycles) with a time of 3min 26secs.
Worcester St John's Cycling Club's Rick Allen reckons that time won't last in October. "With the success of Brits in cycling since Bejing 2008, the Tour de France 2012 and 2013 and London 2012 the popularity of cycling in this part of the UK has grown massively so it's great to be involved with Wyre Forest CC to put on this event. Sub three and a half minutes is impressive, but we think that three minutes may well get beaten. Whoever wins in October will have the honour of going into the record books at the world famous venue that is Shelsley Walsh. For cycling fans not wanting to race, then it is the perfect venue to come and visit during an English autumn."
Mark Constanduros from Shelsley Walsh said, "It is the first non-motorsport event we will have ever held on the track so after 109 years it needed to be done, but it's great to join forces with Worcester and Wyre Forest so they can use our historic venue. Whoever wins will be joining the famous names of Shelsley such as Sir Stirling Moss (Grand Prix legend), Derek Bell (5x Le Mans 24 hours winner), Sir Malcolm Campbell (Land Speed record holder), Hans Stück (Pre-war Grand Prix driver), Raymond Mays (founder of ERA and BRM racing cars) and Andy Priaulx (3x World Touring Car Champion)."
More details can be found by following the links:
Cycling Website: shelsleywalshcyclehillclimb.co.uk
Twitter: @ShelsleyCycling
Shelsley Walsh shelsley-walsh.co.uk.
