Wiscombe Hill Climb

Situated at the bottom of a secluded valley in a delightful setting is Wiscombe House.

Hill climbing first took place at Wiscombe House in 1958, with the cars and motorcycles climbing up the twisty and winding single track driveway that leads to the house.

Starting at the foot of the slope, the course is 1000 yards long with an average gradient of 1 in 13.6 with the steepest section at the final hairpin bend where it is 1 in 6.9.

Along the two straight sections of the course the fastest competitors can reach speeds of over 100mph

The outright hill record stands at 34.16 seconds to Adam Fleetwood (Gould GR55 3.5 XB V8) and was set on July 25th 2004.

Wiscombe has its own flourishing championship and in 2008 there will be 9 action packed days of hill climbing providing a varied selection of events featuring classes of vehicles from modern day production cars to historic vintage cars and motorcycles.

The classes also include modified production and kit cars as well as sports and single seater racing cars. The motorcycle classes include both solo and sidecar combination machines.

Wiscombe Park is 5½ miles from Seaton and is located between Farway Country Park and Blackbury Castle, west of the village of Southleigh. On race weekends follow signposts from the A3052 near Seaton, Sidmouth and from Honiton.

The dates for 2008 are:

• April 26th/27th 2008 Woolbridge Motor Club

  The 2008 season is under way with two days of excellent hillclimbing with drivers from central southern and the south-west contesting numerous championships including the Bridge Tyres and Wheels South West series. Wiscombe's own championship which is also supported by Mike Potter's Bridge Tyres will also feature as well as the HSA's Aldon Automotive series.

• May 10th 2008 500 Owners Association

  Racing cars, motorcycles and sidecars. The 500 Owners Association host a meeting packed with motorcycle powered machinery. Ancient and modern. Cars and motorcycles. Not forgetting the spectacular sidecars. They will be joined by a selection of racing and sports racing cars. The best of motor racing nostalgia with the relaxed spirit of sportsmanship.

• May 11th 2008 Vintage Sports Car Club

  The scenic beauty of Wiscombe Park provides a superb backdrop for the most emotive meeting of the season. The sight, sound and smell of vintage racing cars gracing the Devon parkland takes one back to a past era but that does not mean the competition is any less important. Enjoy this unrivalled event particularly this year with numerous E.R.A.s in action.

• May 17th 2008 Torbay Motor Club

  Having promoted meetings at Finlake Park (near Exeter) in addition to the coastal Odicombe Torbay Motor Club will be running their first event at Wiscombe Park. In order to maximise the entry the class structure is likely to be similar to that of Wildlife Autosport which will provide a wide selection of saloons and sports cars (both road going and modified) as well as single seater racers

• May 18th 2008 Wildlife Autosport

  Re-known for their events at Cricket St Thomas, Wildlife Autopsort (Burnham-on-Sea M.C. and Taunton Motoring Club) have now established this meeting as a fine example of championship hillclimbing. This event includes the A.C.S.M.C. Guildford Tyres Speed series plus of course the fiercely fought Wiscombe Park Bridge Tyres and Wheels Championship

• The National Championships July 26th /27th 2008 (Woolbridge M.C.)

  See the country's fastest car and driver combinations battling for all important championship points. Saturday is devoted to practice with the all-important qualifying runs commencing on Sunday morning and then during the course of the day the fastest registered contenders will be vying for a place in the two exciting 'Top Twelve Shoot Outs'. The spectacle of powerful (over 600 b.h.p.) racing cars being skilfully driven on the challenging track at Wiscombe make this a 'must do' meeting.

• Sept 6th /7th 2008 The 'Five Clubs'

  Traditionally the last major championship meeting of the season the 'Five Clubs' event caters for a wide selection of sporting machinery and championships. As in recent years the action revolves around regional championships and with the season coming to a close there is important work to be done by those with aspirations of success in their chosen series. As such the motor sport promises to be fast and furious.

• Sept 13th 2008 The M.G. Car Club (South West)

  Always an interesting event with a wide selection of the M.G. marque in addition to a number of local competitors (non M.G.) at the wheel of both sports cars and single-seater racing cars providing support. Some drivers have been known to forsake their competition machines and get behind the wheel of their road cars. This event provides a superb day of motorsport.

• Sept 14th 2008 National Hillclimb Association

  The final meeting of the season and the motorcycles are back. Not just two wheeled (solo) motorbikes but the stunning sidecars and combinations as well. Always fun to watch see the commitment of these daring riders as they race through the testing 'Esses' section of the course. Always entertaining!

Food is available at race meetings in the competitors paddock starting with cooked breakfasts and continuing through the day with a choice of sandwiches and rolls, burgers, chips, donuts, tea, minerals and coffee. A licensed beer tent provides various other refreshments.

The spectators are allowed to go into the competitors paddock free of charge.

For more on Wiscombe park, visit their web site on www.wiscombepark.co.uk