windy Posted June 3, 2014 Share Posted June 3, 2014 Some of you will know I went across to France last weekend to sample the French Hillclimb scene. For me this is probably one of the best events I've ever done! I'd found some information on this web site and submitted my entry online http://www.hillclimbfrance.co.uk/ It was very easy to enter, I just needed to upgrade my license to an MSA "National A speed" beforehand which I did at the start of the year. I also had to fit an in-date harness to my drivers seat. For anyone wanting to do St Goueno next year it is well worth thinking about collecting signatures on your "National B" licence at events in the UK this year to be able to upgrade it to a "National A" for next year. There was nothing to pay until I arrived and the entry fee was a meagre 150 Euros. Compare this to most UK events and a weekend entry fee will usually cost in the region of £250 to £300. The other criteria that must be met for all cars younger than 1977 is the driver must wear a HANS device and HANS compatible helmet. I believe the cheaper helmets can be purchased for around £200 and HANS for around £350. All the other gear you need is identical to the UK events (race overalls, gloves, balaclava & race boots etc). You may also consider hiring or borrowing HANS and helmet to reduce costs. The ferry I was advised to go for was the Portsmouth - St Malo crossing. This ferry runs overnight and leaves Portsmouth at 8pm. When you arrive the following day there is just a 1 hour drive from Portsmouth to St Goueno. You could drive the long way down using the channel tunnel or short ferry crossing to Calais but I reckoned there was very little difference in the oveall cost when you consider the extras for fuel and tolls. The long ferry also gives you a chance to relax. My recommendation would be to travel out on Wednesday or Thursday evenings and travel back on Monday. There is a very helpful French lady Anne Lessard who, as part of the organising team, will arrange all accommodation for competitors to the event. It is very cheap considering what you get. We stayed in a Gite, a nice old converted farmhouse about 15 minutes drive from the venue in a picturesque little village. The 3 nights cost us a mere 58 Euros each. st goueno 007 by windy911, on Flickr You can also bring your motorhome to the venue and spend the weekend in the paddock - many of the competitors did just that for convenience. st goueno 010 by windy911, on Flickr Friday commenced with signing on at 3pm followed by scrutineering. The Masters competitors (our group) all had our cars checked over by British scrutineers. Once stickered and numbered up there was a chance to drive the hill. This was a good opportunity to familarise yourself with the long drive down the valley to the start, the long drive up the hillclimb, then the drive back to the paddock. This was the location for the Pre Grille where they assign a number to your car and you then line up on a grid before driving down to the start line: st goueno 017 by windy911, on Flickr Some distances: The total circuit is about 7.9 km or five of your English / Irish miles. Paddock to Start line 3.52 km / 2.2 miles. Start line to finish line 3.067 / 1.9 miles. Finish line to paddock 1.28 km / 0.8 miles. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scottish Bloke Posted June 3, 2014 Share Posted June 3, 2014 Looks and sounds awesome Windy, food for thought!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
windy Posted June 3, 2014 Author Share Posted June 3, 2014 There are some notable features in the paddock which give some clues as to the popularity of this event: A bar: st goueno 013 by windy911, on Flickr A big TV screen. This one is in the paddock. there is also one on the hill for the spectators: st goueno 023 by windy911, on Flickr st goueno 022 by windy911, on Flickr Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marto303 Posted June 3, 2014 Share Posted June 3, 2014 I'll come next year Graham, only down side is I'll probably bring the rain with me as usual , looks awesome though and congratulations on your class win Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
windy Posted June 3, 2014 Author Share Posted June 3, 2014 The main event is a round of the French hillclimb championship. N Shatz is the guy to look out for here in the Norma: st goueno 015 by windy911, on Flickr st goueno 020 by windy911, on Flickr https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iKZL1DNYHWs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hellski Posted June 3, 2014 Share Posted June 3, 2014 Looks and sounds a fantastic venue, will most definitely be going on the list for future events to attend. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
windy Posted June 3, 2014 Author Share Posted June 3, 2014 Short video here at the hairpin - thanks David https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Icx-rhTUF_0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexander72 Posted June 3, 2014 Share Posted June 3, 2014 Im up for this next year as well Marto - will bring the lorry and twin tail lift system - show the cheese eating frenchies the Le Cross Flow du Mighty oh he hon hen he hon….. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexander72 Posted June 3, 2014 Share Posted June 3, 2014 Well done Windy - car sounds awesome :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
windy Posted June 3, 2014 Author Share Posted June 3, 2014 And one in-car from when the Escort Cossie in front spat a driveshaft and fluid onto the track. It takes a while to learn and after the little skid on the second corner I was a little apprehensive about what might follow. You overtake cars that you catch up in France, there are no re-runs. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DUb8g2YZR6w Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexander72 Posted June 3, 2014 Share Posted June 3, 2014 is that a cross flow windy ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark (smokey mow) Posted June 3, 2014 Share Posted June 3, 2014 Looks a good event to do Graham and a great result Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Algar - Competition Secretary Posted June 3, 2014 Share Posted June 3, 2014 Looks great, bit worried about the size of fuel tank needed ? Any thoughts. Do you get called up from the paddock to hill all day or in run batches ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexander72 Posted June 3, 2014 Share Posted June 3, 2014 Nick, can we add this to the speed series - pretty please? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Algar - Competition Secretary Posted June 3, 2014 Share Posted June 3, 2014 Nick, can we add this to the speed series - pretty please? I added the Irish event one year, which is also great fun. Response 0 !! The cost of getting there tends to put us off some competitors, so it's best as just a great event to go and do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.