2010 Connaught Competition Engines Hillclimb and Sprint Championship
The start of the 2010 season is nearly upon us. It seems like only yesterday that the Hillclimb circus descended on Donegal, yet here we are getting ready to start a new season.
The Clare hills are the venue for this weekend and it promises to be an exciting start to the season. The first round can often throw up some suprise results as the changes and improvements to cars over the winter get their first competitive outing. Who will have done enough to stay ahead of the opposition, only the result sheets will tell!
The Clare hills consist of the famous Corkscrew hill on Saturday the 3rd April and the Scalp on Sunday the 4th April.
The Corkscrew Hill has been resurfaced last year and now has a smooth wide surface over the majority of the course. With its 4 sweeping hairpins on the bottom section and its faster corners on the top section it rewards precise and neat driving, mixed with a more aggressive approach on the faster top half.
The Corkscrew is located about 4 miles on the Lisdoonvarna road out of Ballyvaughan village. Spectators are asked to park in the designated spectator areas.
The Scalp Hill has been run for the past number of years and has been the scene of many very tight and dramatic battles.
It is a real test of faith in a car as it winds at very high speed through the unforgiving countryside. With the majority of the corners being 3rd and 4th gear corners and the surface being relatively bumpy it presents a different challenge to the Corkscrew. The view of a top flight car travelling through the cutting in the rocks is absolutely breathtaking. Many have watched a run from there and walked away soon after shaking their heads!
The Scalp Hill is located near Carron village. Paddock is in the Carron GAA ground. It is located on the Galway road from Ballyvaughan. Turn right at Bell Harbour go for about 2 km till you meet a T junction. Turn right and that road will bring you directly to Carron GAA ground.
Please obey the Marshalls and Officials. They are giving up their own time to help us enjoy our sport. Be courteous and even a word of thanks always goes down well! Please bring your littler home with you and be careful not to spill fuel or other fluids on the ground. The Burren is a protected landscape and we would like to come back again next year!
See you all in Clare and travel safely!