Scott Moran hopeful ahead of Loton Park British Hillclimb Championship meet (From Ludlow Advertiser)

Scott Moran hopeful ahead of Loton Park British Hillclimb Championship meet

11:00am Thursday 27th September 2012 in Sport By Ian Morgan

SCOTT Moran doesn’t want to contemplate a wet weekend near Shrewsbury as he races for the British Hill Climb Championship.

The reigning-champion is second in the overall standing to Trevor Willis and is praying for dry conditions ahead of Sunday’s title decider at Loton Park in Alberbury.

He is calling for help from his dad, Roger, who is also competing, in the final event of the series.

Although there are 40 championship points between the top two, Willis is only four ahead when dropped scores are taken into account.

“It’s going to be a tough one and it’s all to play for,” admits Scott, from Orleton. “I am four points behind on the drop scores and it all boils down to this weekend.

“I think I need to win both rounds and get at least one of them with a hill record and that’s if Trevor Willis finishes third or lower in both.

“I can do with some help from dad to finish second.

“It’s going to be very difficult if the weather is wet so I need it to be dry.

“In the wet you can’t get the grip to get the speed and Trevor Willis has been doing very well in the wet.”

Scott has previously won the British title in 2011, 2009 and 2008 and was the runner-up in 2010.

Scott and dad Roger have been racing in the same car – a single seat Gould GR61X with a Nicholson McLaren engine – since 2005.

The Herefordshire Motor Club duo were the first father and son pairing to finish in the top two of the series. Hillclimbing is one of the oldest forms of motorsport and drivers race against the clock to complete an uphill course.

Loton Park Hillclimb, in the grounds of a deer park, is one of the most demanding courses on the calendar.

“It’s going to be a tough one because I might have put the course record out of touch the last time I went there,” said Scott.

Scott said Willis would be a deserving winner should he hold on for his maiden title.

“If Trevor comes out on top it, I think it would be very well deserved. He’s done some fantastic times and driven very well.”

Scott added: “I never thought I would win one championship, but to win three is more than I could ever imagine.”

l Provisional championship standings with Sunday’s final event at Loton Park: 1 Trevor Willis 278 points, 2 Scott Moran 238, 3 Roger Moran 198.