British Automobile Racing Club (BARC) Yorkshire Centre organised its first Championship event for the 2026 season on Sunday 12th April. The event was part of the BARC Harewood Speed Hillclimb Championship and BARC Harewood Speed Hillclimb Fastest Time of the Day Award Series (FTD).
The two practice runs and a timed run would be completed before the lunch break. During the third timed run the rain returned and when the organisers went for a fourth timed run not many competitors started, most electing to call it a day as the track was wet and any likelihood of anyone setting a time anywhere near the leading classes times was gone.
Harewood Speed Hillclimb Championship.
Mark Teale driving his Suzuki Swift GTi takes an early lead in the Harewood Championship with Dave Banner in second place driving his Westfield Megabusa and Wallace Menzies in third driving his Gould GR59. Mark was third in the 2025 championship.
Fastest Time of the Day Awards Series.
Fastest Time of the Day (FTD) went to Wallace Menzies driving his Gould GR59, who set a time of 49.55 seconds. In fact it was the three drivers from the BHC who set the FTD’s top three times. Wallace was the only competitor who set a time under the 50 seconds in the ever changing track conditions. Will Hall also driving a Gould GR59 set the second quickest, just 0.61 seconds behind Wallace, while Harry Pick picked up third place and was 3.89 seconds off the time set by Will Hall.
It was David Tatham driving his DJ Firehawk, who set the quickest time by any of the Harewood Hill regulars just 0.39seconds behind Harry Pick.
Spring Championship Hillclimb Run Times can be found here:
Spring Championship Full Results
Harewood Speed Hillclimb Championship after Round one:
Harewood Speed Hillclimb Results after Round One
Fastest Time of the Day Awards Series:
Many thanks to BARC Yorkshire Centre for the opportunity to be track side again in 2026. Also not forgetting all the volunteer Marshals, Medical and the Darlington & District Rescue Team, along with all the back-office staff without which, the events at Harewood Hill could not take place.
Next meeting at Harewood Hill is on 9th May for the Harewood Open Hillclimb and on 10th May the first visit from the British Hillclimb Championship for the 2026 season.