CAROTHERSBRITISH HILLCLIMBING

Hillclimb: Officials fear sabotage at Craigantlet

British Hillclimb Championship officials fear that last weekend’s round at Craiganlet was subject to sabotage.

The start of the event in Northern Ireland was delayed after a diesel spillage was found at Allard corner on the Saturday morning prior to the first runs. The course had been checked on Friday evening and was found to be clear, but the overnight diesel slick caused concern after three empty fuel cans were found nearby.

Competitor Chris Merrick, who is also a police chief superintendent, was under no doubt that the diesel had been spilt deliberately. “This was clearly deliberate,” he said. “When we arrived the surface was like ice. I could see three places where the fuel had been dumped. It was in a position where it would cause the most damage.”

Former Irish hillclimb champion Frank Byrnes had reccied the course on Friday evening and was also convinced of foul play. “This wasn’t accidental,” he said. “The track was clean on Friday when I drove it. The fuel was on the breaking area for the Allard corner and I believe it was put there by someone who understands racing cars.”

Officials, marshals and competitors worked hard to clean up the surface to ensure the event went ahead, while a spillage crew from the local Highways Department also helped out. The event finally got underway at 11:30am.

Scott Moran and Trevor Willis took the victories in the British series double-header. The results gave Moran a clear advantage in the standings after Martin Groves suffered a disastrous weekend which saw him withdraw with an engine problem after first practice.

Watch British Hillclimb Championship highlights on Motors TV in 2009.

Andy Wilkinson

Published 06/08/2009 13:06

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