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Not Worlds Oldest Hill Climb….in Berkshire

Posted: Sat Nov 30, 2024 7:20 am
by Exminiman
:lol: Auclum Hill Climb, built by owner of Huntley and Palmers Biscuits in his garden, Near Reading, Berkshire

Not sure if mentioned in the video, but I had heard this was one of the oldest Hill Climbs …….

https://youtu.be/JJtCC-Nknwg?si=qH2mSs7Dw13K-Cwm

Re: Worlds Oldest Hill Climb?

Posted: Sat Nov 30, 2024 8:52 am
by Oneball
First events in 1939 apparently. So pretty young in terms of hillclimbs.

Re: Worlds Oldest Hill Climb?

Posted: Sat Nov 30, 2024 4:29 pm
by trevorhp
Shelsley Walsh
12th August 1905.
Sunrise Hill probably earlier.
Would be nice to see a comprehensive timeline for UK Hillclimb venues.
I believe Shelsley is the oldest Motorsport venue in continuous use, on the same very original course.
T

Old Abandoned hill climb near Reading Berks

Posted: Sat Nov 30, 2024 4:45 pm
by Exminiman
Think I will change the title of the post :lol:

Quite an interesting story though

Re: Worlds Oldest Hill Climb?

Posted: Sat Nov 30, 2024 8:32 pm
by 'S'-type
trevorhp wrote: Sat Nov 30, 2024 4:29 pm Shelsley Walsh
12th August 1905.
Sunrise Hill probably earlier.
Would be nice to see a comprehensive timeline for UK Hillclimb venues.
I believe Shelsley is the oldest Motorsport venue in continuous use, on the same very original course.
T
Honourable mention for Kop Hill 1910 -1925. The last competetive speed event sanctioned by the RAC on public roads following a minor accident.
Revived 1999 and annually since 2009 as a non competetive charity event.

Also about 10 miles away to the east was Aston Hill, another public road used from 1904 - 1925.

Re: Not Worlds Oldest Hill Climb….in Berkshire

Posted: Sat Nov 30, 2024 8:38 pm
by davidnutland
I thought Bexhill was the oldest 1902!

Re: Worlds Oldest Hill Climb?

Posted: Sun Dec 01, 2024 4:03 pm
by LMM76C
trevorhp wrote: Sat Nov 30, 2024 4:29 pm Would be nice to see a comprehensive timeline for UK Hillclimb venues.T
The only decent record is Chris Mason's book "Uphill Racers" - but even that cannot be a full record of early public road events.

Re: Not Worlds Oldest Hill Climb….in Berkshire

Posted: Sun Dec 01, 2024 5:27 pm
by hanlminiman
From latest Mac News.
"Incredible as it may seem, there was life before Shelsley. In 1902, the MAC ran their first events at the 2,227 yard Gorcott Hill near Redditch."
Not the oldest but probably on of the flattest - Stapleford Aerodrome in Essex (1960s) :lol: Rising from the River Roding and on the otherside of the river the farmer let his field as an Autocross venue (West Essex Car Club?)