AFTER an enforced absence from the calendar for 24 months, Barbon Speed Hillclimb is back in business on May 11.

Last year, foot-and-mouth disease prompted motorsports clubs to impose a countywide ban on all events and this included the two hill climbs for cars and one for motorcycle held at the popular Barbon Manor venue.

Next Saturday competitors take to the hill again for the third round of the Tran-X MSA British Hillclimb Championship series and the field includes the exciting "big" single-seater racing cars.

These Formula1 look-alikes run on methanol-based fuel, have around 700bhp, great big sticky slick tyres and reach speeds of around 120mph just 75yds or so before the 180 degree hairpin bend at the top of the climb, all this on a single-track tarmac road that is barely wider than the cars themselves.

Making up the rest of the field are different classes of sports, saloon and clubman racing cars with a total of 79 taking part this year.

Many volunteers work together to make an event like this happen and the Westmorland Motor Club are always keen to welcome new marshals to the hillclimb.

Apart from free entry to the event and a free lunch, you will be able to play an important part in helping the day run smoothly and enjoy a first-hand view of the competition.

If you are interested in helping on the day, phone chief marshal Tony Birdsall on 015242 71288.

The other events at Barbon are the National 'B' car hillclimb on Saturday June 15 followed by the motorcycle & three-wheelers on Saturday July 2.