SPEED merchant Bobby Fryers is out for a flying time in his Renault Clio this weekend as the Auto Trader hill climb championships really hots up.

Bobby, from Bradley, is just half a point behind Colin Stewart, who drives a Lotus Elan.

His Renault Clio/Williams is a powerful machine, but at Harewood it will be tuned for out and out acceleration, designed to get him from the starting line to the top of the Harewood Hillclimb track.

"It is all about power-to-weight ratio and acceleration. A lot of people thing hill climbs are about getting up muddy tracks, but that is not the case at all.

"Harewood is a smooth tarmac surface just like any motor racing circuit and we race from the bottom of the valley to the top with five or six corners to contend with," Bobby said.

All types of cars can take part, from road vehicles straight out of the showroom, to ex-Formula 1 racing cars.

"The fastest vehicles will reach 110mph at Harewood. The Clio will be geared to a top speed of about 120mph, but we won't reach anywhere near that this weekend," he said.

He started hill climbing in 1964, and has raced every year since.

"It's a great way anybody can get into motorsport, and the Harewood track holds courses for people in their own cars."

This Sunday he is taking part in the Montague Burton Trophy where the British Automobile Club have a massive entry with 17 Ferraris in a total entry of 150 cars.

Other local names on the hillclimb scene include John Chacksfield, also from Bradley, who caught the bug from his neighbour, and drives a Lotus 7. Jeff Norton, Silsden, (Van Diemen RF86), Steve Dunn, Keighley, (Westfield SEi), Tony Metcalfe , Silsden, (Van Diemen 91).

Entry at Harewood is £5 including parking and a programme with children under-14 admitted free.

n Bobby Fryers hits the track in his Renault Clio/Williams.

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