The Tipster Speaks – Shelsley Walsh

Good morning readers.  You find me basking in the glory of a reasonable prediction for our last meeting at Prescott. The weather gave our competitors a dryish but cold track, certainly one without oil as I mopped up after The Beast had each of its runs.  If it were not for Snelson’s ploughing exploits I would have achieved full marks.

The series moves quickly on to Shelsley Walsh in Worcestershire on 3/4 June, our oldest speed hillclimb and a test of both nerve and driving ability.  A start line on a fair gradient can lead to slow 0-64ft times with any throttle and clutch misjudgement leading to wheels spinning or ‘bogging’ down.  A full throttle approach to the two left kinks of Kennel and Crossing leaves a driver’s heart in mouth as the railway sleepers on the outside of the bends pass you by.  Full throttle up the steep straight (with a kink) and into the Esses where late braking can take advantage of the incline if one gets it right.  Entry to the hard left and following right is critical before the blast to the finish line after only 1000 yards.

We have nine entrants in our class with some notable missing persons being Juan and Ricardo who put in fair times at Prescott.  We still have the stalwarts battling for PEP places at this wonderful venue where spectators can see most of each frantic run in the beautiful Worcestershire countryside.

I do not expect the gold star I received for my last prediction but shall still do my best with the Tipster’s expectations for Shelsley.  This hill is all about grunt and so I see Taylor and Snelson in the 430s scrapping for the scratch win.  Nick has all the experience to avoid another kink in his roof and take the win but Snelson will come out of the corner fighting and may surprise all. Prior and Whitehead will closely follow wringing the necks of their pretty 355s with Spicer and Swifty in close pursuit.

All the signs lead to Taylor at a track where familiarity counts but I’m going to guess that Prescott has shown Snelson more on judging the limits of his car and he will only trail by a few hundredths.  That makes it Taylor, Snelson, Prior then Whitehead.  The PEP may only gives 0.3s per unit but this may result in Taylor (just), Prior, Snelson then Spicer (capable of fantastic times up this hill in his 328) or Whitehead.  Swifty will have Goodwin battling with Wibberley just behind him.  Handicap will see Attwood and Wibberley on a grudge match.

All this given in the hope of warm, dry weather.  Rain may see the smooth drivers upsetting the book and see me along with my waterproof camera and wellies.

The full entry list is available here. Practice is on Saturday and the racing on Sunday.