SUNSHINE encouraged a bumper number of spectators to come and enjoy the high-octane action at the Craigantlet Hill Climb on the outskirts of east Belfast on Saturday.
The good weather had another effect, too; it also meant the road surface temperature was high, meaning that the quickest cars, shod with sticky racing slick tyres, were at their grippiest and so able to make the most of their speed in the corners on the closed public roads snaking up the hill above Parliament Buildings.
The fastest category of cars in the Ballyrobert Craigantlet Hill Climb were those competing in the British championship.
Scott Moran attacked the start line on each run-up, scorching his tyres to gain adhesion; after his first run, he was tied with close rival Trevor Willis with a time of 40.76 seconds.
Moran then hit his stride. First, he set a new hill record, beating his old one, of just 39.4 seconds. Then, on his final run, he stopped the clock at 39.12 seconds, sparking jubilation in the paddock.
Willis and Will Hall, another leading contender, also set 39 seconds times, but Moran's record-breaking benchmark was unassailable.
"I think there may still be some room left to nudge the time with some fine tuning of the bottom end below the crossroads," said Moran afterwards.
"Once over them, it's just flat-out with speeds of up to 150mph."
Other highlights included the second round of the Millers Oils Northern Ireland Hill Climb Championship, with spins, spills, thrills and even a bonnet coming off...
After a close fought battle Bangor man Chris Houston finished a very credible eighth overall in his 1,400cc OMS-CF04 with a best time of 47.54 seconds; Richard McGimpsey in his 1,300cc RMG was ninth and George Stevenson, driving his 1,000cc Jedi Mk6 was close behind.
A number of other class records fell on the day, with Mark Lancashire in his shared 2,200cc Subaru Impreza, achieving a very credible 49.17 seconds, shaving just over a second off his own record time.
Craigantlet was also a first event for two drivers this year: Aaron Bunning, who went on to win his class in a 2,000cc Modsports Midget, with a best time of 59.20 seconds; and Belfast man Stephen Morrissey, driving a 1,600cc Peugeot 106 XSI on his first hill climb to a time of 64.05 seconds.
The annual hill climb, first run in 1913, is organised by the Ulster Automobile Club and sponsored by Ballyrobert Vauxhall and Lotus and Simon Brien Properties and supported by Belfast City Council and the residents who live beside the course.
