Loton Park, Sunday 4th April, 2010.

It's a 60 mile drive today to Loton Park, near Shrewsbury, for the first round of the Midland Hillclimb Championships along with a class for motorcyles and three-wheelers.
1) We've walked around the Paddock, watched some of the action from 'The Triangle' and got our bearings. So what could be better than a swift cuppa and a portion of chippy-chips? Don't tell the Food Police (they're everywhere) but this is our second portion between us in two days. These are more expensive than the ones at Silverstone in case you were wondering. It's important to know these things we feel. Thus fortified, it's a trek up to the top of the hill next.

2) We've almost literally driven 'All 'round The Wrekin' to get here. What a smashing view it is from the top of the hill. You can see all the way to Wolverhampton on a clear day and, as any fool knows, you can't get better than that!
3) This is Vicky's favourite car of the day. She took a shine to it down in the paddock. It's an 1950cc MGA Coupe being driven by Terry Drinkwater through Museum Corner on its way to second place in its class. Sounds impressive until you realise there were only three cars in it!

4) As yesterday's blog was all about cars at Silverstone, it is only fair we concentrate more on the 'bikes today. This is Glyn Poole at Museum on his 279cc Honda. He set the fastest time in the Up to 500cc Class.

5) This is Paul Jarret who comes from just down the road in Shrewsbury. Perhaps that's why he and his Aprilia 549cc projectile are the fastest two wheeler on the hill today? By a good two and a half seconds. Local knowledge must count for something, eh? That and sheer bravery, obviously.

6) At first glance this just looks like two blokes going hell for leather on their Suzuki Trike. But look closely and you'll see that the drivers left hand is taped to the tank. That's 'cos he's lost the use of his left arm. Not quite sure how. Anyway, his right hand controls the throttle and brakes and, I think I'm right in saying, it's an automatic gear box (or something very much like one). The bloke on the back just clings on for dear life. They won the 3-wheeler class.

7) It seems to be increasingly commonplace for racing and sports cars to have motorcycle engines. Indeed, there were some 'bike engined sports cars at Silverstone yesterday. So, nothing new in that, I hear you say. But this is the first time we've noticed a competition saloon car with one. This is Allan McDonald in his Morris Minibusa charging up Cedar Straight. He was only fifth fastest out of six in his class so, perhaps, he should revert to a more conventional power unit?

So that was our very first visit to Loton Park. We really liked it. The hill is the third longest in the UK and is undulating while not being particularly steep. In fact, at one point it is downhill. We never got out of breath and walked up and down the hill, stopping to take photos here and there, at least three times. You can't do that at Shelsley Walsh unless you're very fit.

We really liked the relaxed down to earth atmosphere which was totally at odds with the more 'blue blazer' Shelsley Walsh or the picnic hamper and pimms crowd at Prescott. Mind you, it could all be different should we return to Loton Park to watch a round of The British Championships. The chattering classes will be out in their hordes then, you'll see. Looking forward to it.