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Wayback Wednesday: 1962 Dyrham Park Hillclimb

The year 1962 holds a distinguished place in the annals of Bristol Motor Club. It was the year the club ventured onto the national stage of motorsport at its latest venue, hosting its inaugural National hillclimb event at the picturesque Dyrham Park. For the members, this event was more than just a competition; it was a celebration of their passion, a testament to their dedication, and a significant step forward in the club’s rich history.  On this day in 1962, the Evening Post reported on that first National status event.

Nestled to the north of Bath, off the A46, Dyrham Park is an estate steeped in history, its origins tracing back to at least the Bronze Age. A significant battle in 577 AD is recorded as having taken place at this very location, long before the roar of engines echoed through its grounds. The estate’s ownership by the esteemed Blathwayt family for centuries eventually led to its acquisition by the National Trust. This transfer of ownership to the National Trust proved to be a catalyst, opening the doors for the Bristol Motorcycle and Light Car Club to utilise the estate’s sweeping driveway as a unique and challenging hillclimb course. This partnership between an historic sporting club and a preserver of national heritage highlights the diverse ways in which historical landscapes can be appreciated and utilised.
 
The “Spirit of the 60s” event held in 2011, which celebrated the 50th anniversary of both the National Trust taking over Dyrham Park and our first hillclimb there. The course itself, an 800-yard stretch of the front drive, commenced near the main house, winding its way through a section known as ‘The Sweeps’ before culminating in a sharp left-hand hairpin. A short straight then led to a right-handed corner named Neptune, followed by another brief straight to the finish line. The main paddock area was conveniently located next to the house, with a holding area situated just after the finish line on the right side of the track. This layout facilitated the smooth running of the event and provided a focal point for competitors and spectators alike.

Events with National status typically attracted a higher calibre of drivers. The 1960s were a particularly dynamic period for British motorsport, with British drivers and constructors achieving considerable success on the international stage. Dyrham Park meetings saw participation from notable machines such as Ian Swift’s Cooper-Ford, a Ferrari 250 GTO driven by Ron Fry in 1963, and Vic Crapnell’s Jaguar E-type, also in 1963. The success of this event paved the way for Dyrham Park to host rounds of the prestigious British Hillclimb Championship in subsequent years, 1963-1966. This progression from hosting their first National event to becoming a part of the premier hillclimb championship in Britain underscores the lasting legacy of the 1962 meeting.

So, what happened on the day?  The outright record was lowered five times before Peter Westbury took the new hill record at 32.08, taking over two seconds off the previous record.  The hay bales were tested by Joseph Randles, C May and others on the way to a brilliant day’s motorsport.  Wouldn’t it be great to go back?

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