A collection of photos from Finlake Hillclimb, Devon, from the late 90's
November 15, 2021
0 1,175
Finlake hillclimb was my first ever speed event in 1994. I competed for the first time in a road going MK2 Escort. Up until that point, I had only ever competed in a few 12 car rallies and autotests. Finlake was my first proper speed event.
Needless to say, I was hooked. Finlake gave me such a good introduction to the world of speed hillclimbing, that I became a regular competitor over the subsquent years. That meant travelling around the south west to various hillclimb events like Wiscombe Park and Oddicombe.
Finlake hillclimb was held at the Finlake holiday resort near Chudleigh in Devon, and organised by Torbay Motor Club. It was a perfect place for a weekend event, as you could stay overnight in lodge, caravan or camping. An added bonus was having use of the parks facilities, like swimming pools, bars and restuarants.
Finlake hillclimb course
The course was around 1000yds long, and had various starting points over the years. There was a lot to keep the drivers happy, including long straights, sweeping corners, and a slippery surface to allow for some side ways action. Specatators could view the the fastest part of the hill from a bank above the complex area.
Being a holiday park, each competitor was able to have a hard standing to park their car when not racing. This meant no churning up of grass areas.
It really was an ideal venue and its sorely missed by many.
The video above features in car footage from Kevin Lofts in his 1300 MK1 Escort at Finlake hillclimb.
Justin Waye entering the complex in his MK2 Escort
MK1 Fiesta leaves the chicane to enter the main straight
MK3 Escort entering the main straight at Finlake Hillclimb
Paul Talbot in his Mini
Mike Potter in his Subaru Impreza
John Hine competing in his modified MK2 Escort
Ben Lewcock in Paul Talbots Mini at the hairpin
Yup, thats me, modified MK2 Escort 1600
Peter Crewes in his Britax Mini Cooper
Jim Cassidy pushing his Toyota Corolla around the bottom part of the course
Susanna Repik in her Vauxhall Nova
Ben Lewcock at the wheel of Paul Talbots Mini
My road going MK2 Escort, through the complex at Finlake Hillclimb
Paul Talbot kicking up some dirt at the bottom hairpin
Susanna Repik entering the penultimate turn at Finlake Hillclimb
Nice Ford Cortina at the end of the main straight
Paul Finch setting up to go side ways in his MK1 Escort
Jared Knight in his MK2 Escort through the complex area
Later pic of me, in a rally prepared Vauxhall Nova 1600
Ford Sierra Cosworth entering one of the last turns on the hill
Mike Potter in his Subaru Impreza
My road going MK 2 Escort, circa 1995
One of the many single seater racing cars that competed at Finlake Hillclimb
Mini on the big sweeping corner at the bottom of the hill
Peter Crewes leaving the chicane
Paul Talbot leaving the chicance before the main straight
John Hine in his modified MK2 Escort on the bottom part of the hill
This pic was from one of my first events in 94/95
Lots of kit cars used to compete at Finlake hillclimb too!
Jared Knight in his MK2 Escort on the main straight
Sierra Cosworth on the lower part of the hill
Getting it sideways on the hairpin at the bottom of the hill
MK2 Escort leaving the complex area before the last 2 corners
My road going MK2 Escort, through the complex at Finlake Hillclimb
Modified MK2 Escort leaving the complex area before the last 2 corners
John Hine entering the last 2 corners on the course
Mallock single seater
Modified Mini leaving the complex straight
Hard turn for the bottom hairpin in the MK2 Escort
Susanna Repik in her Vauxhall Nova
Modifed Peugeot 205 GTi
Cornering hard in this MK1 Escort
Marc Hill in his Vauxhall Cavalier GSI
Still in my MK2 Escort – this time in the modified class
The Finlake Hillclimb course as it was in September 1995
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