Championship win for novice driver Gill

A Shropshire woman has won a club championship in only her first full novice year in motor racing.

Hospital nurse Gill Bell, aged 49, from Much Wenlock, gained the most points over eight events throughout the year to win the TTC Motorsport Loton Park Championship 2010, sponsored by the Telford-based company, at Loton Park Speed Hill Climb, near Shrewsbury.

Gill competed against cars and drivers from across the country in regular hill climb meetings at Loton Park and clinched the title with a personal best time on her very last run of the season.

Driving an OMS single-seater racing car, powered by an 1100cc Kawasaki engine, Gill bettered her times over every event.

She said: "I am very grateful to Neville Thomson of NTM Motorsport who has supported me throughout the year, and to my fellow Hagley Car Club members who have provided inspiration and advice during a very close and competitive championship.

"This has been the 50th Anniversary year of Loton Park and the 75th Anniversary of our Hagley Club and so it is especially rewarding to win this championship in such a significant year."

Held in the deer park of Sir Michael Leighton's stately home at Alberbury, the club and national events are organised by Hagley Car Club and Gill will officially receive The Budgen Alfa Romeo Trophy at an awards luncheon to be held at Chateau Impney, near Droitwich at the end of this month.