Challengers Rally - 19th/20th September 2015 Peter Cook This year Challengers rally will be held over the weekend of the 19th and 20th September at the Kop Hill revival climb, near Princes Risborough, Bucks. Kop Hill is one of the oldest Hill Climb venues in England. It was one of several hill climbs in the Chilterns and the first recorded races were held in 1910.
It became a major event on the motor sports car and motorcycle calendar and many famous drivers and riders ran up the hill.
The hill was in regular use by motorcycles and motorcars until 1925 when, as a result of an accident on the hill, all racing on public roads in Britain was banned. Kop Hill Climb in the 1920s was just a dirt track up the open scarp of the Chilterns. Its surface was loose, stony, hard and bumpy.
Today it has a smooth tarmac surface, has gentle bends and its verges are wooded. It starts with a gradual slope and is 1 in 6 at the half way mark.
The road then eases off before getting even steeper at 1 in 4 for a short section just before the summit. The event is organised locally and raise substantial money for charity. Last year the event attracted large crowds and over 300 historic vehicles ran the hill, and a further 300 were on display in the paddock. The organisers are expecting over 300 cars to attempt the hill this year and a similar number of cars in the static display area.
The programme for the day Paddock Gates Open 08.00 Spectator Gates Open 09.00 Hill Climb 10.00 - 12.45 14.00 - 16.45 Motor racing demonstrations 12.45 - 13.00 16.45 - 17.00 I have attended last six events and the club as supported the Kop Hill for the past five years. Last year we had thirteen cars at the event.
Seven BSA’s were booked in for the Hill and six more cars in the paddock. John Pedley’s Scout photographed below in the paddock.
The event is not a speed hill climb but rather a commemorative run to recall exciting past of the Kop Hill climb. Spectators are able to see and hear the vehicles on the Hill and can have a close up view of the vehicles in the paddock.
Costs (still to be confirmed by the organisers) of the event is as follows; Hill Entrants; Motorcars £30 for one day and £50 for the weekend.
Motorcycles £15 for one day and £25 for the weekend Club Members parking in the paddock; The cost for a car is £20 for one day and £30 for two days. Note Extra passengers are charged £5 collected at the gate (under 12s free). Club members parking in the normal car park will be charged the standard admission fee of £10 per person, children under 12 are free. The web site for 2015 opens for bookings in April. However if you have booked in previously you can book in now through opening your account.

In order to drive on the hill park in the club area you will need to register but make sure you do this without delay after the web site opens. The Kop Hill web address is www.kophillclimb.info. We have already booked a club area in the Paddock and this should appear on the web site. You do still need to book in individually.
I recommend you do this early. If you intend to attend please let me know as soon as possible.
If you turn up on the day without having booked in you will not get into the club parking area. The location Kop Hill Road, Princes Risborough, HP27 0LB, Map reference OS sheet 165 815030. Any more information contact me on 01483 570433