It wasn’t the fact that Roy Lane won four British Hillclimb Championships, it was the timing of the wins. His first two came in the 1975 and 1976 seasons at the wheel of his McRae GM1-Chevrolet; his third championship was some 16 years later in 1992, and his final title came in 1996 driving his Pilbeam MP58-09—succeeding a young Andy Priaulx.
Pilbeam was the marque to have in the ’90s, taking the first eight championships of the decade. However, it wasn’t so much the marque but the man, for any driver to be at the top of his game some 20 years after his initial success is not only a tribute to his ability and passion for his sport, but a mark of true spirit and competitiveness. The consistent Lane finished in the top three on no less than 17 occasions during his career, notching up a total of 90 individual victories, the first in 1969 and the last national-level win in 2003, driving a Gould at Val de Terres. He was still competing in club events in 2007. Affectionately known as “The Pensioner” to those years younger than he, Lane surprised many of the new boys by mastering new technologies, car design, and power.
Roy wasn’t just a passionate competitor though; he was a good engineer as well. In 1979, he competed in the championship driving the 6-wheeled March 761 2-4-0; his engineering skills overcoming the transmission lubrication problems that had hampered the F1 team during its evaluation and testing. The car, resplendent in its blue and silver livery, made its debut at Wiscombe Park on April 1, All Fool’s Day. In changeable weather conditions the extra traction sent Lane sensationally to the top of the times.
Illness had plagued Lane in the later stages of his life, but that didn’t stop him from competing at the top of his sport. In 1996, he set the fastest time at Curborough, a record that still stands today. Last year two of the “Masters of the Hills” were taken from us—Tony Marsh and Roy Lane—with the sport much the poorer for their passing. To family and friends Vintage Racecar offers sincere condolences.
by Mike Jiggle
