SATURDAY (May 3) promises to be one of Northern Ireland’s top motorsport events of the year as reigning British Hill Climb champion Matt Ryder faces off against Northern Ireland titleholder Tim Woodside at Craigantlet.
Both drivers will tackle the iconic course in their Gould single-seaters, aiming to beat the current hill record of 39.12 seconds. The event, proudly sponsored by Patterson Electronics in association with Hytera Communications, marks rounds three and four of the Motorsport UK British Hill Climb Championship (BHC), and also features in the ANICC and UAC Club Championships.
Craigantlet has drawn 60 per cent of the BHC’s top 10 drivers, bringing F1-style single-seaters that exceed 150mph on the Wharton Straight to Northern Ireland’s only British Hill Climb round.
Ian Culbert from sponsor Patterson Electronics praised the “full entry bursting with quality drivers and machinery” and commended the dedicated team behind the event. UAC Clerk of the Course, Wilson Carson, noted 2025 marks the club’s 100th anniversary and follows its 2024 Motorsport UK Club of the Year award.
With 20 competitive classes and a variety of powerful cars, the event promises high-speed action and spectacle. A free programme, featuring insights from drivers and volunteers, will be available, with donations supporting PIPS Suicide Prevention Ireland.
Fans can meet the drivers and see the cars up close tomorrow (Friday) at Campbell College from 5pm. On race day, access for spectators is only from Belmont Road (B170) via Old Holywood Road/Massey Avenue.
