FEATURE
In 1924, three Aston Martins competed at Aston Hill, with E. R. Hall winning the prestigious Jay Cup and Miss Winifred Pink winning Class III. Second in this class was N. T. Beardsell, driving a car registered as XR 1981, which became known as Cloverleaf due to its unique layout of two front seats and one rear seat behind, creating the shape of a three-leaf clover.
Cloverleaf is now one of the oldest road-going Aston Martins in existence, and it has returned to Aston Hill twice since – in 2019, to mark the 95th anniversary of its first outing, driven by three-time Le Mans class winner Darren Turner, and last year, to celebrate the 100th year, in the hands of current owner, well-known Japanese car enthusiast and collector Yuki Hayashi.
The Aston Martin F1 team still proudly reflects on its Hill Climbing heritage and, in a story published on its website, it declared:“ For us, the journey began with a challenge. Two pioneers with one ambition: to be the fastest. Our DNA was forged when Lionel Martin took victory in the Aston Clinton Hill Climb in 1914.
“ That winning mentality remains. The passion for progress. The thrill of a challenge. The desire to reach the summit of each hill, and then seek out the next one. It’ s in our name and in our blood. A team of men and women who have overcome the odds time after time to keep growing, to keep improving … to keep climbing.”
>>>>>
HCAAC Archive
HCAAC Archive
The 10-14hp MAF of M. Darby leaves the start line on 8th June 1912
Alfred de Rothschild hosted many guests at the Hill Climb in a grand marquee
The Motor, 15th May 1923
The Autocar, 23rd May 1924
Dario Resta’ s Fasted Time of the Day in a GP Sunbeam was noted in The Autocar magazine
The Motor celebrated HW Cook recording the Fastest Time of the Day in 1923
46
Revolution- April 2025