Martin Groves
Encyclopedia
Martin Groves is a British
hillclimb
driver, who won the British Hill Climb Championship
in 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2010. With older cars he had won five rounds of the BHCC between 2001 and 2004 , but in 2005 he was exceptionally quick in his new Gould GR55, clinching the championship at Craigantlet
in early August having finished first or second in every one of the 28 BHCC rounds up to that point. He retained the title in 2006, after fending off a strong challenge from Scott Moran
.
Also in 2006, Groves drove a Gould
(though a 2.65-litre car rather than his usual larger-capacity machine) at Bathurst in the Australian Hillclimb Championship
, dipping well inside the hill record.
In 2007 Groves became the first man to dip under 23 seconds at Shelsley Walsh
, when he recorded 22.86 seconds on 3 June.
However, he lost the record to Scott Moran later that same day.
At the final meeting of the 2007 Championship, at Shelsley Walsh on 7 October, Groves secured a hat-trick of titles when he won the first run-off, regaining the outright record in the process with a time of 22.81 seconds.
At Val des Terres in July 2009, Groves equalled Roy Lane
's long-standing record of 90 wins in BHCC rounds.
He became the first driver to record 100 wins in August 2010, reaching the mark at Craigantlet
.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
hillclimb
Hillclimbing
Hillclimbing is a branch of motorsport in which drivers compete against the clock to complete an uphill course....
driver, who won the British Hill Climb Championship
British Hill Climb Championship
The British Hill Climb Championship is the most prestigious Hillclimbing championship in Great Britain. Hillclimbing in the British Isles has a rich history and this event has been held every year since 1947.All British Champions have been British...
in 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2010. With older cars he had won five rounds of the BHCC between 2001 and 2004 , but in 2005 he was exceptionally quick in his new Gould GR55, clinching the championship at Craigantlet
Craigantlet Hillclimb
Craigantlet Hillclimb, a speed event organised by the Ulster Automobile Club, was first held in 1913. It is the only such venue in Northern Ireland to host a round of the British Hill Climb Championship, which started in 1947....
in early August having finished first or second in every one of the 28 BHCC rounds up to that point. He retained the title in 2006, after fending off a strong challenge from Scott Moran
Scott Moran
Scott Moran is a British hillclimb driver, based in Ludlow, Shropshire,. He is the reigning British Hill Climb Champion. Scott has won the British Hill Climb Championship three times driving the Gould GR61X he shares with his father, 1997 British Champion Roger Moran...
.
Also in 2006, Groves drove a Gould
Gould Racing
Gould Racing is a British motorsport company, specialising in racing car manufacture and engineering. The company is run by David Gould, and is based in Newbury, Berkshire, England....
(though a 2.65-litre car rather than his usual larger-capacity machine) at Bathurst in the Australian Hillclimb Championship
Australian Hillclimb Championship
The Australian Hillclimb Championship is a CAMS sanctioned motor sport competition which determines Australia's annual hillclimbing champion. The championship has traditionally been awarded to the driver setting fastest time at a single meeting however the 1958 title was awarded based on the...
, dipping well inside the hill record.
In 2007 Groves became the first man to dip under 23 seconds at Shelsley Walsh
Shelsley Walsh Speed Hill Climb
The Shelsley Walsh Speed Hill Climb is a hillclimb in Worcestershire, England, organised by the Midland Automobile Club . It is one of the oldest motorsport events in the world, and is in fact the oldest to have been staged continuously on its original course, first having been run in 1905...
, when he recorded 22.86 seconds on 3 June.
However, he lost the record to Scott Moran later that same day.
At the final meeting of the 2007 Championship, at Shelsley Walsh on 7 October, Groves secured a hat-trick of titles when he won the first run-off, regaining the outright record in the process with a time of 22.81 seconds.
At Val des Terres in July 2009, Groves equalled Roy Lane
Roy Lane
Roy Lane was a British racing driver. He is best known for his great success in hillclimbing, having won the British Hillclimb Championship on four occasions in a career spanning more than three decades...
's long-standing record of 90 wins in BHCC rounds.
He became the first driver to record 100 wins in August 2010, reaching the mark at Craigantlet
Craigantlet Hillclimb
Craigantlet Hillclimb, a speed event organised by the Ulster Automobile Club, was first held in 1913. It is the only such venue in Northern Ireland to host a round of the British Hill Climb Championship, which started in 1947....
.