CAROTHERSBRITISH HILLCLIMBING

Hillclimb: Groves forced out of title race

Former champion Martin Groves has been forced out of the British Hillclimb Championship for the remainder of the season.

Groves, who has been running neck and neck with rival Scott Moran for virtually the entire campaign so far, was forced to withdraw from the last round at Craigantlet with engine problems. The same issues with his car’s Nicholson McLaren unit mean his title bid is over.

“It’s an unforeseen engine problem that we can’t sort in time for this weekend,” said a disappointed Groves who dropped 19 points behind Moran in the standings after missing the Craigantlet rounds. “As that means I’m not going to have a chance of winning the title I’ve decided to sit out the rest of the year.

“With the 3.5-litre engines there is a shortage of pistons and the lead time to get some new ones is several weeks, so it will be better to work on the car and find out what the problem is.”

Groves recently equalled Ron Lane’s record of 90 British Hillclimb wins, but his withdrawal almost certainly hands the 2009 title to Moran. His withdrawal also leaves Paul Ranson, who shares Grove’s Gould GR55 at each meeting, without a seat despite lying sixth in the standings.

Watch British Hillclimb Championship highlights on Motors TV in 2009.

Andy Wilkinson

Published 13/08/2009 16:19

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