Kop Hill Climb

Feeling strong enough to go to this event for a couple of hours, lots to see, bit of a merky day weather wise. We went to tea with Mum afterwards.

This is the second time Kop Hill has been used for a special event this month as it was part of the Tour of Britain!

Kop Hill, Princes Risborough is one of the oldest Hill Climb venues in England.
It was one of several hill climbs in the Chilterns and the first recorded races were in 1910.
It became a major event on the motor sports car and motorcycle calendar and many famous drivers and riders ran up the hill; such as Malcolm Campbell in his 12hp Talbot (Blue Bird), Raymond Mays (Bugatti), Henry Segrave (2 litre Grand Prix Sunbeam), Count Zborowski (8 cylinder Ballot) and Archie Frazer Nash (KimII).
The fastest time recorded for a car was in 1922 when Count Zborowski's GP Ballot (an aero-engined monster) achieved 26.8 secs.
The motorcycles were faster; in 1925 Freddie Dixon had a time of 22.8 seconds on his 736cc Douglas (an average of 81mph!).
The first speed event up this fairly straight, loose macadam 1 in 5 gradient, was held in 1910. The last event in this early period was on 28th March 1925 and when, as a result of a mild accident to a spectator, the RAC decided to ban all motor sport on public roads.
A listing of winners in the early years, together with contemporary reports of the races is in the archive. There are also photographs from the recent revivals.
In 1999, as part of the Risborough Festival, the Town Council, in association with the Bean Car Club, held a commemorative run up this famous hill.
The Revival
The revival of the Charity lead Kop Hill Climb, under the leadership of Tony Davies, was begun in 2009. It has developed rapidly through the Centenary in 2010 and this commemorative event is now a fixture on the historic motor sport calendar.