MATT RYDER
I stepped up to the unlimited capacity Hill Climb Cup class in 2022 when I started driving the car that I still compete in, and things all came together at Harewood. I had competed there a few times before, but always in smaller engine cars, and always enjoyed it. I qualified fastest for the runoff this time and went on to get my first win, breaking the course record by about second – which still stands today. Having grown up around motorsport, seeing my parents and grandparents competing in hill climbs and sprints, it was really special to put my own name in the history books – and it meant an awful lot to a lot of people.
We had some good practice on the Saturday, but you can never really tell where you are sitting until the qualifying runs, so when it all came together and I finished fastest there was a realisation that maybe my pace in practice
was real and it was not just everyone else sandbagging. It meant I would run last, having only ever previously been in the mid pack, so this was the first time I had experienced having to wait right to the end. It was great to know the time I had to beat, but it definitely added more pressure and nerves!
Because the start line at Harewood is right at the bottom of the hill, with the paddock at the top, before you do your run, you have to get all strapped in, freewheel down a return road then queue up at the bottom while you watch everyone else go off the line. I was definitely nervous, but also a bit excited, and although all that pressure was building up, when I got to the line I just thought – well, we have got the best tyres on now, the car is feeling great, let’ s just go and give it a good push.
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Chippy’ s
The Esses
Willow Bend
Clark’ s
Farmhouse Bend
Orchard Corner
Quarry Corner
Revolution- December 2025
65
Paul Lawrence