Page 105 - Paddock Life Issue 13 ADRENALINE

I didn’t even know the event had been revived when it started three years ago; last year it clashed with the British Grand Prix and we were committed to an expensive and very mediocre hospitality experience at Silverstone Six for a table of ten people followed by a four hour wait to get out of the “VIP” car park, maybe I should have brought my guests the Chateau Impney Hill Climb – I think they’d have had a much better time. So this year being the third event I was determined to attend and see how it all ran.
The Chateau Impney is a fabulous building in stunning grounds, but for this event its crowning glory is the fantastic terrace stretching out in front of the hotel affording views from the start line, up toward the terrace with the track then turning directly across the front of the terrace before the cars disappear from sight onto the
final section of the hill. Big, well placed screens make sure you can follow the action from start to finish and the commentary was informative and entertaining. From a public point of view, an entry ticket allows you (and your family) to wander the paddocks, take in the attractions and watch the race from the grand stands or lawn areas. It was all very relaxed and family orientated. There were plenty of food vendors and enough stands and displays to keep you busy all day.
The VIP terrace has doors that open into the bar and grand ballroom, with the BBQ on the top of the terrace and a buffet in the ballroom keeping the corporate guests, drivers and VIP ticket holders happy all weekend. The tables on the terrace were the perfect place to pop a bottle of bubbles or two and enjoy a sunny race event.
Over 200 drivers competed in 18 classes with a wide range of cars competing, from Mini Coopers, a Morris Minor called Bluebell (one of my personal favourites) various vintage hill climb specials, a bunch of MG’s, including a marvellous one off MG special, a fantastic turn out of ERAs and few beautiful Maseratis marking the 60th Anniversary of the marques retirement from factory racing, Nick Maison’s devastatingly gorgeous and priceless Birdcage being among them. A couple of lovely Ferraris; a 500TRC in Yellow and a 250 GT SWB, just gorgeous.... an AC Bristol in polished metal looked and sounded stunning and several classes of ever entertaining pre 1940’s racers ran nicely. Bugattis and Aston Martins are
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