The BBR Hill Climb Series is shaping up to be a battle between previous Champions as the reigning one took the win and two others featured in the podium slots in Mid Shropshire Wheelers’ climb of The Stiperstones. Riders were clearly enticed by the offer of post-race chip butties as 2019 and 2023 Champion Dave Scott posted a strong time of 4 minutes 5.1 seconds over the course which is a sniff over a mile long, battling against the headwind up the climb which saw the 3:55 course record set in 2023 safe for another year – although victory had a distinct retro feel about it as he beat the course record holder and the 2016-2018 and 2021 Champion Kirk Vickers on his first appearance of the Series in 2024. Scott lifted himself into 4th spot in the standings after missing Round 2, but has plenty of opportunities left to catch up in this best 6 from 11 Series. He was pleased to win, with Vickers’ appearance spurring him on: “Happy to win, déjà vu racing Kirk, who pushed me all the way to the line with a great ride on a headwind night. Chips always appreciated afterwards”!
Vickers had to be content with the runner-up spot after finishing in 4:07.9, and was gracious with his post-race comments: “I enjoyed the climb, well done to David on the win, quite a close one as always, thanks to Mid Shropshire Wheelers for hosting and well done to all riders taking part”.
The 2022 Champion Tomos Hales has had a solid start with a runner-up, win and 3rd over the three rounds and now leads the Series by eight points from Scott’s Mule CC team mate Troy Rimell. Hales stopped the watch on 4:15.4, with Rimell 4th on the night in 4:23.9 on an undulating climb. The Wrekinsport rider enjoyed his night out and was particularly pleased to see timekeepers Jenny and Dave York back in the hot seat: “I do enjoy this climb as you get a short rest period on the sharp corner. I started off well and then faded in the middle section, but managed to rally for a final push. Well done to Dave Scott for the win in a tight battle with Kirk; thanks to Mid Shropshire Wheelers for hosting; and a big thanks to Jenny and Dave York – it is good to have them back”.
The Veteran’s win went to Will Witterick on his home course. Witterick in his first attempt at the hill climb discipline is certainly making an impact, posting a fine 4:46.7 and beating Holohan Coaching’s Matt Davies into the runner-up spot in 4:58.9. He now holds a 12 point Veterans Series lead over Mid Shropshire Wheelers’ team mate George Kirby – although by his own admission he felt he had an ‘off’ night: “I didn’t feel great, one of those to grit the teeth and just get through. I didn’t even stay for the chips, which was very bad of me – thanks to Dave and Jenny for organising”.
In the Female Series Hayley Wells took her third win on the trot with a fine time of 5:12.0, beating 2017 and 2019 Female Champion Emma Serjeant in the process. Wells has already opened up a 42 point lead and clearly has recapturing the Championship in her sights. She stated: “A quick start to get up to speed, then it was all about keeping the power high and pushing hard on the ramps. A great atmosphere; and many thanks to Mid Shropshire Wheelers for the post race chip butties”!
Like buses, no Junior riders were to be seen in Rounds 1 and 2 and then three turn up at once – and all 13 years old. The win was taken by Mid Shropshire Wheelers’ Jude White in his second attempt at the climb in race mode – although he was clearly focussed on the post-race feed and going home with familial bragging rights as his 5:25.0 taking 9th spot overall beat father Mark by 18.2 seconds: “I always enjoy the Mid Shropshire Wheelers’ Stiperstones Hill Climb. This is my second year of doing it and I’m very happy to see my progress from last year. Even better beating my Dad’s time! It’s a great challenging event finished off with chip butties in the pub afterwards, what’s not to love”! White beat team mate Connor Gatfield into the Junior runner-up spot with 7:13.7, and another case of one-upmanship over the old man as father James finished in 7:50.4; whilst Serjeant’s daughter Seren took third in 8:27.9.
Full:
| Pos’n | Name | Club | Cat | Time | Points |
| 1 | David Scott | Mule CC | S | 4:05.1 | 20 |
| 2 | Kirk Vickers | Holohan Coaching RT | S | 4:07.9 | 18 |
| 3 | Tomos Hales | Wrekinsport CC | S | 4:15.4 | 16 |
| 4 | Troy Rimmell | Mule CC | S | 4:23.9 | 14 |
| 5 | William Witterick | Mid Shropshire Wheelers | V | 4:46.7 | 12 |
| 6 | Matt Davies | Holohan Coaching RT | V | 4:58.9 | 10 |
| 7 | Hayley Wells | Wrekinsport CC | F | 5:12.0 | 8 |
| 8 | Andrew Wakefield | Mid Shropshire Wheelers | S | 5:18.7 | 6 |
| 9 | Jude White | Mid Shropshire Wheelers | J | 5:25.0 | 4 |
| 10 | George Kirby | Mid Shropshire Wheelers | V | 5:32.6 | 2 |
| 11 | Mark White | Mid Shropshire Wheelers | V | 5:43.2 | 2 |
| 12 | Andrew Dawson | Paramount CRT | V | 5:44.2 | 2 |
| 13 | James Elgar | Paramount CRT | V | 5:53.3 | 2 |
| 14 | Des Pugh | Hafren CC | V | 6:04.3 | 2 |
| 15 | Maurice Price | Unattached | V | 6:07.2 | . |
| 16 | Emma Serjeant | Unattached | FV | 6:08.1 | . |
| 17 | Connor Gatfield | Mid Shropshire Wheelers | J | 7:13.7 | 2 |
| 18 | James Gatfield | Mid Shropshire Wheelers | V | 7:50.4 | 2 |
| 19 | Seren Serjeant | Unattached | WJ | 8:27.9 | . |
Veterans on Actual:
| Vets Pos’n | Name | Club | Cat | Time | Vets Points |
| 1 | William Witterick | Mid Shropshire Wheelers | V | 4:46.7 | 20 |
| 2 | Matt Davies | Holohan Coaching RT | V | 4:58.9 | 18 |
| 3 | George Kirby | Mid Shropshire Wheelers | V | 5:32.6 | 16 |
| 4 | Mark White | Mid Shropshire Wheelers | V | 5:43.2 | 14 |
| 5 | Andrew Dawson | Paramount CRT | V | 5:44.2 | 12 |
| 6 | James Elgar | Paramount CRT | V | 5:53.3 | 10 |
| 7 | Des Pugh | Hafren CC | V | 6:04.3 | 8 |
| 8 | Maurice Price | Unattached | V | 6:07.2 | . |
| 9 | Emma Serjeant | Unattached | FV | 6:08.1 | . |
| 10 | James Gatfield | Mid Shropshire Wheelers | V | 7:50.4 | 6 |
Females:
| Female Pos’n | Name | Club | Cat | Time | Female Points |
| 1 | Hayley Wells | Wrekinsport CC | F | 5:12.0 | 20 |
| 2 | Emma Serjeant | Unattached | FV | 6:08.1 | . |
| 3 | Seren Serjeant | Unattached | WJ | 8:27.9 | . |
Juniors:
| Junior Pos’n | Name | Club | Cat | Time | Junior Points |
| 1 | Jude White | Mid Shropshire Wheelers | J | 5:25.0 | 20 |
| 2 | Connor Gatfield | Mid Shropshire Wheelers | J | 7:13.7 | 18 |
| 3 | Seren Serjeant | Unattached | WJ | 8:27.9 | . |
Cumulative standings after three rounds
Overall Top 10:
| Position | Name | Club | Cat | Best 6 |
| 1 | Tomos Hales | Wrekinsport CC | S | 54 |
| 2 | Troy Rimmell | Mule CC | S | 46 |
| 3 | William Witterick | Mid Shropshire Wheelers | V | 42 |
| 4 | Dave Scott | Mule CC | S | 40 |
| 5 | Paul Bailey | Bridgnorth CC | V | 26 |
| 6 | Mason Durant | Paramount CRT | S | 22 |
| 7 | Kirk Vickers | Holohan Coaching RT | S | 18 |
| =8 | Hayley Wells | Wrekinsport CC | F | 12 |
| =8 | Phil Roberts | Wrekinsport CC | S | 12 |
| =10 | Matt Davies | Holohan Coaching RT | V | 10 |
| =10 | Rob McGregor | Paramount CRT | S | 10 |
Veterans Top 10:
| Position | Name | Club | Cat | Best 6 |
| 1 | William Witterick | Mid Shropshire Wheelers | V | 58 |
| 2 | George Kirby | Mid Shropshire Wheelers | V | 46 |
| 3 | Paul Bailey | Bridgnorth CC | V | 38 |
| 4 | Matt Davies | Holohan Coaching RT | V | 18 |
| =5 | Chris Riley | Paramount CRT | V | 16 |
| =5 | Ernie Evans | Ludlow Brewery RT | V | 16 |
| =7 | Des Pugh | Hafren CC | V | 14 |
| =7 | Mark White | Mid Shropshire Wheelers | V | 14 |
| =9 | Andrew Dawson | Paramount CRT | V | 12 |
| =9 | Ben Nickolls | Paramount CRT | V | 12 |
| =9 | Neil Coles | Oswestry Paragon CC | V | 12 |
Female standings:
| Position | Name | Club | Cat | Best 6 |
| 1 | Hayley Wells | Wrekinsport CC | F | 60 |
| =2 | Becky Griffiths | Paramount CRT | F | 18 |
| =2 | Claire Blackwell-Smyth | Paramount CRT | FV | 18 |
| 4 | Emma Richards | Paramount CRT | F | 16 |
Junior standings:
| Position | Name | Club | Cat | Best 6 |
| 1 | Jude White | Mid Shropshire Wheelers | J | 20 |
| 2 | Connor Gatfield | Mid Shropshire Wheelers | J | 18 |