Andrew Dinner - MP82 Having been born with the sixties equivalent of super plus unleaded in my veins, it was inevitable that the motor sport train would pick me up and we would travel. I have always thought myself lucky to have stopped at the Speed Hillclimb station. From the day I started competing, I have always driven modified, circuit, single seater’s. So when the opportunity came to acquire a Hillclimb thoroughbred, it took me almost half a nanosecond to surrender the retirement policy and go get. My Pilbeam came originally out of the Bourne stable as an MP62 destined for the home of Margaret and Peter Blankstone, latterly, it had been owned by Ken Snailham and Simon Frost, along with, now regular top ten hot shot, Tom New, sharing the driving duties. Sometime along the way, it had visited Bourne for a major repair and metamorphosed late in the 90's as an MP82. It was a genuine barn find when I bought it, having sat in the sheds of QED since its last event, Gurston August 2003. Over the winter of 2008 and in the months leading up to our season start it had full open heart surgery on one of the ex British Touring Car Vauxhall 2 litre engines, that made the car originally, such a success and it also re-visited its place of birth at Bourne for some chassis work and a check over. As seasons go, this one has been wonderful. Apart from a pair of drive shafts, which, can only Courtesy of: YonderHill Photographic be attributed to over 15 years of start line punishment, the car has done everything it says on the tin. It has flattered my driving style to the point that I am starting to look quick. It turns in when asked, it forgives my very erratic steering movement and hangs on to the tarmac, even in the wet, far longer then any car I have ever driven. I compete mostly in the south west, venturing as far north as Gurston, but where ever I go, and what ever hill I am at, there is always a huge amount of friendly rivalry that I am now, finally able to be a part of and compete in. Purchasing a Pilbeam has allowed me to start enjoying the sport again, ideally I should have bought one when the train originally stopped. - Andrew Dinner 23-10-09