Enduro News - Barbon Hill Climb

News

The sun shines for the Optoma Loans Barbon Hill Climb!

The Optoma Loans sponsored Barbon Hill Climb took place this weekend in the sunshine and in front of a bumper crowd.

Optoma Racing Superbike star, Steve Plater (left) was unfortunately a spectator rather than competitor due to an injury sustained during a crash at Oulton Park, but he met with fans and showed off his winning Isle of Man TT Optoma Loans Yamaha YZF-R6. “I was a bit disappointed not to be able to have a go but with the rest of the British Superbike Championship and World Endurance races still to go, I have to be careful. But there was some awesome riding and a great atmosphere.”

Other Superbike riders taking part included John McGuiness (left), local rider Dean Ellison and Michael Rutter. They were joined by Supermoto champion North Lincolnshire’s Leighton Haigh.

The half-mile tarmac hill climb in Cumbria is the shortest of the British Hill Climb Championship tracks outside the Channel Islands with two left hand bends onto a straight where machines can reach speeds of over 100mph, this leads to a very tight right hand hairpin, and a short straight over the finish line. The Hill climb record stands at 25.54 set by Bill Chaplin on a Suzuki 1147 Trike. The solo record is held by Paul Bird (Team Principal at Stobart Honda) on board a Honda CR500 in 26.19.

Attractions aside from the Hill Climb included a chance to win an Optoma Loans race replica Yamaha YZF-R6, Barbon Hill Climb Organiser Peter Brown said: “Barbon very nearly never happened this year due to an excessive amount of rain falling on the park. Luckily for us the weather held and the event was possible. It was great to have a new title sponsor in Optoma Loans and we are still on track in taking the event forward in the future.”

Results
Class 1 (not over 250cc) 1. Les Wilson (28.30) 2. Karl Geary 3. Ian Haiansworth
Class 2 (250cc-350cc) 1. Robin Sim (29.57) 2. Chris Byron (left) 3. Doug Parnell
Class 3 (350cc-500cc) 1. Glynn Poole (26.24) 2. Leighton Haigh 3. Paul Jarrett
Class 4 (500cc-750cc) 1. Paul Jarrett (26.53) 2. Paul Jeffrey 3. Jon Staden
Class 5 (750cc-1300cc) 1. Alan Jolly (28.18)2. Doug Parnell 3. John Golda
Class 6 ATV Quad unlimited 1. Paul Dickinson (28.59) 2. Pete Ellis 3. Eddie Redfern
Class 7 3 wheelers not over 1300cc 1. Jason & Dawn Reeve (26.13) 2. Simon Blenkin & Paul Nelson 3. Fred Reeve & James Beesley
Class 8 Vintage 1. Ian Cramp (30.51) 2. Grant Sellars 3. Michael Harrison

Handley Rose Bowl, fastest time of the day: Jason and Dawn Reeve (26.13)