Dropping in and out of the early morning mist was an epic start to what was to be a very good day on the way to Kop Hill (Princes Risborough, Surrey) for their annual hillclimb. The actual event dates back to the 1920's, and just as it got going a spectator was injured and the event was cancelled. in 1999 the Bean car club resurrected the event, but it was not until 2009 that the event took on it's now annual guise.
If you haven't been, then it's a cross between Goodwood Revival (The Early Years), and a village fete....in fact, a festival of British'ness ! attended by locals like Jamiroquai, Chris Evans (who both blasted up the hill), as well as Hugh McCaig, who is on a quest to own every Ecurie Ecosse car out there ! - He has 10 cars so far , plus the original Commer transporter (rebuilt after they found it's aluminium body in a shed !)
- A lot of very influential motorsport icons raced at Kop Hill including, John Cobb, Donald Campbell Sir Henry Seagrave, Count Zbrowski, Kaye Don, and a certain Aston Clinton who raced at Kop Hill, and later went on to found Aston Martin.
High points were:
- Spirited drives from all the Ecurie Ecosse boys for taking everything up the hill (that D-type can sure shift !), a seriously fast 200BHP Mk1 Escort, JK for bringing an 'interesting' Ferrari Estate one-off, and Brian Soper's A-Series engined Lotus 7 absolutely flew up the hill !
- Chris Evans brought what must bethe roughest car in his fleet, an old 80's Ferrari in need of some work !!
- JK arreived in a bespoke Ferrari estate - not really my cup of tea though (See Photos link for pic)
- 200BHP Escort Mk1
- some cracking runs from some great cars from Austin Sevens to screaming Ferrari 458's burning out off the line, a jazz band, Haurel and Lardy !, and some old friends made it a great day.
 |
| Brian Soper gave a v. impressive turn of speed up the hill (A-Series) |
 |
| ....takatakatakatakatakatakataka !! |
A quick stop at RAF Air Command, High Wycombe before the final leg home !
 |
| Pressing on ! |
Kop Hill has been resurfaced , so a visit to test the new tarmac before the Winter sets in may need to be visited in the very near future !