NHCA Curborough – A Weekend of Two Halves

The National Hill Climb Association returned to Curborough Sprint Course on 25 and 26 July for a weekend that delivered two completely different days of racing.

NHCA Curborough – Saturday Delivers Fastest Times

Saturday brought warm sunshine, dry conditions and a challenging wind blowing across the circuit from the surrounding fields. With a combine harvester working nearby, clouds of dust were regularly carried towards the track, adding another unusual element for riders and spectators alike.

Despite the wind and dust, the pace was extremely quick. The paddock remained busy throughout the day as riders prepared for each run, accompanied by the familiar sound of Guy’s voice booming across the venue and calling competitors into order. It is one of those sounds that has become part of an NHCA weekend at Curborough.

There were one or two incidents during the day, reminding everyone how demanding the short and technical sprint course can be. However, the riders continued to push hard, with Tom Short setting the fastest time of Saturday with an impressive run of 32.28 seconds.

Sunday Rain Changes Everything

After weeks of dry and sunny weather, Sunday provided the second half of a very different weekend. Overnight rain had left the circuit damp and slippery, creating difficult conditions from the opening runs.

Sharp showers continued to blow across the venue during the day. They often lasted just long enough to dampen the track for a couple of runs before passing, leaving riders to judge the available grip as conditions changed almost minute by minute. The slippery surface caught out several competitors, but it did little to reduce the fast-paced nature of an NHCA meeting.

Tom Short once again topped the timesheets. His quickest run of Sunday was a slightly slower 40.80 seconds, reflecting the much more challenging track conditions.

This weekend was made even more enjoyable as our nine-year-old budding photographer and petrolhead joined us. She loved every minute, from watching the riders prepare in the paddock to seeing the bikes launch onto the course. Events such as this are a fantastic introduction to grassroots motorsport and provide a friendly atmosphere for families who share a passion for anything with an engine.

The NHCA continues to offer exciting, accessible motorsport at venues around the country. I would strongly recommend visiting the association’s website and finding an event near you. They are excellent days out for a family of petrolheads, with close racing, welcoming competitors and plenty of action.

Whether under Saturday’s sunshine and drifting clouds of harvest dust or Sunday’s rain showers and slippery track, the event perfectly demonstrated the unpredictable nature of motorsport.

As always, it was a pleasure to spend another weekend with the National Hill Climb Association. You can find our guide to taking photos at the Curborough Sprint Course here.

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