As a native Yorkshire boy having lived in Salford for nearly 10 years, its quite surprising to realize every time I ventured home I passed such a gorgeous climb. Situated on the drop side of the dam (just passed the farm in the middle of the M62), its probably the steepest hill I've seen so far. Tarmac looks really pock marked, but you can tell underfoot its a grippy track with some serious grooves. The day was blisteringly hot, with what looked like a quiet pedal with only me and Ray in class. As we arrived things changed again with the arrival of Mr.Rowe (a fellow S2000 driver and current Scammonden record holder). We knew from arriving it was going to be a fun day with some good competition on hand. Its really pleasant to be around seasoned chaps to learn the trade and have a benchmark. I really enjoy how welcoming the hill climbing and sprinting community are to everyone, a very positive environment. Even if you are battling for a position, its always greeted with a well done and praise, no negativity.
First practice run and it felt like a bouncy castle. The car isn't struggling for traction in terms of conditions or tyres, its physically the surface not allowing for all the wheels to be in contact together. Between bend two and three its particularly difficult with the car hopping and the revs climbing as the diff unlocks. It feels like a real tussle between a clean line or drifting. Clean line means the momentum dips off and its so steep that means time. Drifiting is always fun but costs times, however here it could help keep the momentum up. No big slides possible as the track width is tiny with quite aggressive curbing. Sub 30s first time up, excellent right on the money despite the hideous skipping around. Shows its another element to tackle in the climb, critical for fast times.
With the first timed runs posted, I'm really happy with the result. Getting very close to pace times straight away and leading the class. I knew it wouldn't be an easy pedal with Martin there, as he knows the climb, car and how to use both.
Times were slipping with changes to the car and my head going off in the heat. I was looking at different lines to improve the skipping around, but there isn't much to be done other than embrace it. Mr. Rowe had managed to edge me out by a 10th and with only a couple of runs left, it was time to go for it. Roll on time run 4 and its a corker. I came back to the paddock really chuffed with the run, thinking that's the one. I'm out of the car chatting with Ray saying that felt spot on, clean and quick. Just as we are talking the Clark of the course arrives to say no time was posted due to timing error. FFS to say the least. Hat chucked in the tent and back down to the start for a repeat run. Like a pissed off teenager I attacked the hill. Normally extra runs should be seen as another way to gain time, but I was so annoyed I felt my best time wasn't recorded I threw away the run.
Final run was upon us. Ray kept telling me to chill out and relax. Keep and calm head and put a solid run in. Off I went as the final car in the group and put in what felt a good time, but merely average.
No times were posted. We packed up and got ourselves ready to leave before attending the awards. Literally as the awards began, the times were posted. I thought I'd read the wrong time. I'd managed to secure 1st in class on my final run with a 27.12. This would be a class record (previous best Martin Rowe 27.35) however due to the timing company used on the day, records wouldn't be official. I was totally blown away by the result. I checked it several times to make sure it wasn't a mistake, couldn't quite believe it. This netted me first in class and best novice of the day. Martin finished 2nd, 27.45 and with Ray in third with 28.23. Excellent drive by Ray as well, as times were falling steady through the day. I think its safe to say we are both looking forward to returning here with the ANWCC championship.
