Manx challenge

Local father and daughter team John and Debbie Briggs used the agility of their Alfa Giullietta Sprint to win the Manx Mountain Challenge in July. The three-day historic event, run by the Manx section of the Classic Motorsport Club, began with navigation and regularity tests on the Friday, while on Saturday much of the TT course was closed for the fast sections. A strong challenge from the AC Cobra of Ken and Denny Calder ended here with mechanical maladies. Sunday began the winding down with autotests and a treasure hunt, and a Concours d’Elegance won by the Stote’s Alvis 4.3.

Tony Rogers and Chris Dearden brought their TR5 to second, ahead of Robert Rawe and Xavier Sanz de Acedo in a hot Healey 3000 which was once Ken Rudd’s demonstrator. The event raised £8000 for cancer charities. This month, the island also hosts the fifth Manx Classic, which brings vintage and classic cars over to contest the Pursuit Sprint over the Willaston circuit (cars do eight laps at 10-second intervals) and the Lerghy Frissell hillclimb, at 1.48 miles the longest in Britain. It takes place over the weekend of the 24th/25th September; contact Manx Motor Racing Club on 0624 670150. GC