More than 400 cars and ’bikes made last weekend’s Kop Hill Climb a weekend to remember for the 14,000 visitors who thronged to the famous public-road meet.
Exotic machinery on show included a 1911 SCAT Type C Racer, a 1920 Hispano-Suiza H6B, a 1925 Bugatti Type 30, a 1933 Aston Martin Le Mans, a 1935 Maserati 4CS and a 1935 Brough Superior 8 cylinder. Other highlights included an outstanding Ecurie Ecosse display featuring the famous transporter (below).
The Soapbox Challenge brought a new generation of racers to the course as 16 teams of 10-17 year olds battled for top honours. The Snails from Stewkley Scouts took first prize in the form of a visit to RML Motorsport – the company that runs Chevrolet’s race cars.
Meanwhile, a Spitfire flypast brought entertainment of an altogether different nature.
Organisers hope to better the £41,000 raised for charity last year.
From 1911-’25 the 0.75-mile hillclimb was a popular venue with racers and ’bikers. In 1911, J van Hooydonk set a time of 28.8 secs winning the class for cars of up to 30hp in his 10/12hp Phoenix.
By 1920 the hill was in frequent use and in 1922 the lap record (of 26.8 secs) was set by Count Louis Zborowski – builder of Chitty Bang-Bang.
