Kop Hill Climb

The Kop Hill team of volunteers have been working hard to bring you a unique and amazing show in September, when the ninth revival of the early 1900’s motoring event takes place.

The action is at Kop Hill in Princes Risborough, and all the fun, thrills and hard work contribute to raise funds for local charities and good causes on behalf of Heart of Bucks- the Community Foundation of Buckinghamshire.

Last year exceeded all records, with over £100,000 being raised over the weekend, and 32 local projects supported.

The event returns with a celebration of motoring through the ages, with over 400 historic cars and motorcycles each day taking on the famous hill. Many more will be on display in the Paddock. Vehicles range in age from the early 1900’s to modern day exotics, so there will be something for everyone.

Kop Hill Climb is no ordinary display of historic cars and bikes but an opportunity to see and hear them run in a beautiful, historic setting. Where else can you not only get close to the vehicles as they speed up the hill but also freely chat with owners of everything from 1914 Sun Villiers to a Nota racecar?

The spread of vehicles owners bring is astonishing. From the early racing cars and bikes that ran Kop Hill in its heyday to some of the rarely seen performance vehicles of the last 40 years. Some of them sport innovations that predated modern technology, while others represent innovation that just never caught on.

Cars like the fire-breathing 1914 German built Fafnir are a classic Kop Hill entry. Powered by a four-cylinder aero engine of 10.5 litres capacity, each cylinder alone displaces more than the engine of the average modern family car.

Move on twenty years and this year will see not only well preserved and cherished examples of everyday cars and bikes like Morris and Ford, BSA and Ariel but the more sporty entries from Bugatti, MG, Frazer Nash, Vincent and Scott, some with Brooklands pedigree like Mark Wood’s stunning1930 Aston Martin International.

As we move post war, 2017 wouldn’t be complete without our marking 70 years of Ferrari. Amongst the many models entered two stand out - the 1957 Ferrari 500TRC and the 1973 Competition Daytona. Weighing just 680kg and powered by a cylinder 80hp 2 litre motor the TRC was the car to race in the 1950’s. The later V12 Daytona Competition, one of only five lightweights built, has around 450 bhp, enough to power the model to Le Mans class wins in 1972, 73 and 74.

Add in hundreds of other amazing bikes and cars and it’s another classic Kop Hill weekend.

This is not just a static display, but also a recreation of Kop Hill’s history. Both days will have morning and afternoon sessions where you can see the cars and motorcycles storming the hill. Moving history right before your eyes, especially from one of the Grandstands, which gives a unique vantage point.

This year sees a visit from the iconic ‘Genevieve’, the car that was the star of the 1953 film of the same name, and a regular participant in the annual London to Brighton run. Have your photo taken with this wonderful car, and enter a raffle for a ride up Kop Hill in her.

Come and meet Edd China, mechanical genius, inventor, TV presenter and mechanic formerly of the popular Wheeler Dealers show.

He will be at Kop Hill on both days with his famous Casual Lofa Sofa – the fastest sofa in the world - and it’s road legal so see him ascending the hill in it.

The legendary Ace Cafe, London is organizing a drive out and ride out to the event from its iconic venue in Stonebridge, north London.

The children’s area will be packed with things to see and do - a vintage steam fair, with helter-skelter and dodgems, along with the Racing Bug track racing game, fun play bus and face painter.

Back by popular demand is the Wall of Death – featured on the BBC when sports presenter Mike Bushell experienced a few dizzying laps for himself – now experience it in real life.

The Soapbox Challenge is a nail-biting competition, with teams of budding racers aged 10 to 17 trying to go the greatest distance down the purpose built ramp, chicane and obstacles to try and win the Beaumont Cup. It will take place over the two days, and has grown year on year to be a very popular part of the event.

With so many things to see and do a break for some food and drink will definitely be in order. So relax in the food court while taking in the sounds of the purpose-built stage with a fantastic line up.

Kop Hill is one of the oldest Hill Climb venues in England. The first recorded races were in 1910. It became a major event on the motorsports car and motorcycle calendar and many famous drivers and riders of the time, including Malcolm Campbell, Raymond Mays, Henry Segrave and Count Zborowski raced up the hill. The last event was in 1925, when as a result of an accident to a spectator, the RAC banned all motorsport on public roads.

Today Kop Hill is a public road, and is closed to traffic during the event, which is an untimed commemorative run.

Today Kop Hill Climb’s unique combination of beautiful location, historical significance and family fun day out has made it a major fixture on the historic motor sport calendar, with many thousands of visitors each year.

The objective of the Kop Hill Climb revival is to raise money for local charities. All the organising team and helpers are volunteers, and the event is managed as a part of the Heart of Bucks Community Foundation. Over £400,000 has been raised since the revival started in 2009. Come and be a part of this very special event, and help local community projects and charities.

For full event details please go to www.kophillclimb.org.uk

A complete list of both car and motorcycle entrants for hill climb and Paddock display can be found on the website – www.kophillclimb.org.uk

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