Great Auclum National Speed Hill Climb was a motorcar course close to Burghfield Common in the English county of Berkshire.
It was based in the grounds of a large country house, formerly owned by a family connected to Huntley and Palmer – the famous biscuit manufacturers at nearby Reading, Berkshire. The hill climb was organised by the Hants and Berks Motor Club as a National Speed Hill Climb. This was part of the RAC British Hill Climb Championship, and at long it was the shortest of events in the Championship. The course travelled nearly as far downhill as it did up, with a finish almost level with the start. Motor Sport reported : "The ¼-mile course embraces two sharp corners, one banked, and a twisty section, so that a premium is set on initial acceleration and low-speed cornering."Motor Sport, September 1949, Page 373.
Early days Prior to World War Two at least one event took place at Burghfield, as the event was then known. In 1939 Motor Sport listed a forthcoming event: 27 May 1939, Sporting O.D.C. Speed event, Burghfield,Motor Sport, February 1939, Page 50. which was cancelled.The Autocar, 26 May 1939, Page 917. An event took place in June organised by the Frazer-Nash and Frazer-Nash B.M.W. C.C. and Sporting O.D.C. "The postponed speed hill-climb up the private drive of Neil Gardner's (sic Neil W. Gardiner.) house at Burghfield Common happened on 24 June, complete with adjacent funfair and Lord Nuffield to present the prizes." P.W. Neale set fastest time of the day in 27.0 secs "winning the 2-litre class from Fane's B.M.W."Motor Sport, August 1939, Page 239. See also: The Autocar, 30 June 1939, Page 1128 (Photographs), Page 1132 (Report); Light Car, 30 June 1939. For a description of the winning A.C.N. Special see Motor Sport, April 1943, Pages 86–87, which refers to the "Burghfield Common Speed Trials." See also: John Bolster, Specials, Pages 29–30, G.T. Foulis & Co Ltd, Reprinted 1971.
Racing resumed in 1947 when: "Salvadori's monoposto Alfa-Romeo won its class in 25.2 sec., but couldn't be extended, and it was L.J.D. Bartlett's home-brewed Mercury Special which made f.t.d. in 23.5 sec." The following year Ken Wharton's Wharton Special "beautifully crisp and fearlessly handled, made f.t.d. in 23.34 sec., beating Stirling Moss (23.46 sec.), who drove absolutely superbly getting into third gear in his Cooper 500,..."
The end The last event was held in 1974 and the site has now been re-developed for housing. However the course itself is still there as it was the rear drive to Great Auclum house, which has now been redeveloped. The track is in a poor state of repair and very overgrown.
Great Auclum Hill Climb past winners
YearDriverVehicleTimeNotes1939P.W. NealeA.C.N. Special 1,991 c.c.27.0 sec24 June.1947L.J.D. BartlettMercury Special23.5 secMotor Sport, August 1947, Page 233; Motor Sport, September 1947, Page 258. 26 July.1948Ken WhartonWharton-Special23.34 secMotor Sport, August 1948, Page 260. 25 July.1949Eric BrandonCooper-J.A.P. 994 c.c.22.20 secMotor Sport, September 1949, Pages 373–374. 14 Aug.1950A.J. ButterworthA.J.B.23.50 secMotor Sport, September 1950, Page 428. 23 July.1951D.N. BrakeCooper 996 c.c.22.39 secMotor Sport, September 1951, Page 433. 28 July.1952Motor Sport, September 1953, Page 476. Cancelled due to cattle "foot and mouth" disease.1953Stuart Lewis-EvansCooper 1,100 c.c. s/c21.47 sec RMotor Sport, September 1953, Page 476. 8 Aug.1954Michael BurnFrazer-Nash24.54 secThe Autocar, 13 August 1954, Page 229. 7 Aug; Wet & dry.1955Tony MarshCooper 1,100 c.c.RMotor Sport, September 1955, Page 520. 6 Aug.1956Tony MarshCooper 1,100 c.c.20.6 secThe Motor Year Book 1957, Temple Press, Page 204. 4 Aug.1957Tommy SopwithCooper-Climax 1,500 c.c. sports21.76 secMotor, 31 July 1957, Page 902; Motor Sport, September 1957, Page 528.1958R.B. JamesCooper-Norton 500 c.c.22.19 secMotor Sport, September 1958, Page 594.1959D. Boshier-JonesCooper 1,100 c.c.20.56 sec RMotor Sport, September 1959, Page 686. 8 Aug.1960D. Boshier-JonesCooper 1,100 c.c. V-twin20.49 sec RMotor, 10 August 1960, Page 45; Motor Sport, September 1960, Page 730. 6 Aug.1961Peter Boshier-JonesLola-Climax21.57 secMotor Sport, September 1961, Page 736. 12 Aug.1962Tico MartiniMartini-Special Triumph 650 c.c.20.14 sec RMotor, 15 August 1962, Page 80; Motor Sport, September 1962, Page 680. For an article on the Martini Special see Motor, 12 September 1962. 11 Aug.1963Peter Boshier-JonesLotus 22-Climax 1.3-litre s/c19.75 sec RMotor Sport, September 1963, Pages 678, 680. 10 Aug.1964Peter Boshier-JonesLotus 22-Climax 1.3-litre s/cMotor Sport, September 1964, Page 712. 8 Aug.1965Peter Boshier-JonesLotus 22-Climax 1.3-litre s/c19.099 sec RMotor Sport, September 1965, Page 745. 7 Aug.1966Peter MeldrumLotus-Allard 1,650 c.c.22.14 secMotor, 13 August 1966, Page 54. 6 Aug. Rain led to abandonment. 1967 Mike Hawley Brabham BT23B-Climax 2.0-litre 19.38 secMotor, 19 August 1967, Page 52. 5 Aug.19681969Roy LaneTech-Craft Buick 3.5-litre18.58 secMotoring News, 7 August 1969, Page 24. 2 Aug.1970David GoodMcLaren M10BMotor, 15 August 1970, Page 45. 1 Aug.1971Sir Nick WilliamsonBrabham F2 FVC18.36 sec RMotor, 14 August 1971, Page 52. 31 July.1972Tony Griffiths1973Chris CramerMarch-Hart BDA 2-litre17.65 sec RAutosport, 9 August 1973, Page 44.1974Roy LaneMcRae F500017.9710.08.1974 Key: R = Course Record.
Course
See also Lewes Speed Trials Westbrook Hay Hill Climb
References
External links mgcars website archive Map showing location of Great Auclum