The 2025 British Hillclimb Championship presented by Nova Motorsport is one of the quickest and most intense series on the British Automobile Racing Club roster. With four-litre V8 single-seater monsters pushing out 700bhp, fighting for hundredths of a second at 10 different hills across the British Isles – the championship is like F1 down a garden path!

Matt Ryder fulfilled a family dream last season by claiming his first domestic title after a season-long battle with rival and friend Alex Summers. Carrying the number one on his Gould GR59 into 2025 – the number one seed speaks to the BARC about his title triumph and what we can look forward to in 2025.

Thank you for joining us Matt – Let’s start with last year. 2024 was a bit special wasn’t it!

“Winning the title last year was an unbelievable feeling. I have grown up with hillclimbing and been around it all my life as my Mum and Dad both competed or have been involved in the sport so in 2024, it was very special – to lift the pinnacle title in the sport in this country in only my third year in the ‘big cars’. The year was so intense, not going to lie, it was a long hard effort, but it’s something I will never forget!”

Hilclimbing was always going to the end destination then? What does it take to be at the top?

“I didn’t really start driving in hillclimbing. We actually took some time away from it when I was younger. I did karting and then a bit of circuit racing in things like Formula Jedi – so I did have some single-seater experience before coming to the hills again in the smaller-engined cars.

“Some people are veterans and have been up these hills so many times they know every lump, bump and surface change – so it is nice to compete against them. It might not be the most physical form of motorsport as people go ‘ how can you get tired after 4-5 runs at 30-60 seconds in length – but because of the speeds and intensity it’s one of the most mentally draining forms of motorsport in my opinion. Having to get it all right in such a small space and short time period needs everything to go right. I have shared a run-off win with someone else as we have matched times to the hundredth of a second – it’s that close!”

The calendar for 2025 features all the classic hills once more and we start off at one of the best – Prescott. You’re the record holder, so you know it well?

“I love Prescott – it’s my home hill. What I like about it is, that it;s quite technical with a few tight hairpins, which you need to get right to get good exits in order to open up the power quickly. In the bigger cars – traction is vitally important to use all the power at your disposal. My favourite part is the final third of the hill. Into a fast chicane – big commitment there picks you up lots of time.

“I got the hill record last season – but also you know what don’t know how at the same time – it wasn’t the cleanest of runs – it was a little scrappy in places. There is plenty more time to be had in the bottom half. The second half however was a special feeling – the car was dancing and I really could use all the power through the chicane and esses – it just felt like you were on the knife edge of grip.”

New season – now you go from hunted to hunter – who will want the top spot from you?

New year, new challenges – I don’t know who will be there come the end of the year. You will have the regular guys, but also some local drivers to certain hills – especially when you get to like the Channel Islands. Wallace [Menzies] is the man to beat before any season – super consistent, quick car and very good driver – he is the one everyone wants to aim at. Alex Summers sadly won’t be doing a full season – but wherever he turns up he will be super quick. Will Hall is getting quicker and quicker and could get onto a roll. Trevor Willis on the right day and right hill will be untouchable, I could keep going on!

There are so many locations and so much variety – talk us through some of your favourites…

“I am looking forward to Prescott – it’s always close to my heart, the atmosphere there is great and it is my home round. I also like Wiscombe Park in Devon. I had the best weekend of hillclimbing there previously. I took 1.2 seconds off my best time throughout the weekend and clinched the record as well.

“Shelsley Walsh is always so magical because of its history. The emotion and pressure is right up there because it’s the ‘home’ of hillclimbing in this country. For 22 or so seconds you have to show what you can do and deliver if you want to be near the front. The car has to be on rails as you fit the car between hedges and banks!

“The most extreme is Doune in Scotland. There is nothing quite like it. You have to be nutty to be at the very front there. Your life flashes before your eyes up as you have no time to think, with no margin for error. Makes Shelsley feel like a race circuit!

“They are all special and I like the characteristics of them all – going over to Northern Ireland and the Channel Islands – all three hills are very different and all offer different road surfaces compared to the English hills.”

Carrying the number one is something everybody wants to do. How does that feel – feel any pressure?

“We used it at a warm up event at Loton Park earlier in the year, it’s an amazing feeling to carry the number one. I get to use that on all the hills I enter this year – which is an honour.”

“As to pressure – think there was more getting to this stage – but it might be different when defending it this season. I think it can be a massive help as you get to run last in the class running order when trying to qualify for the top 12 run-offs. You get to see everyone go up before you so you can manage your own performance a little better, as you know the pace and also the minimum time you need to qualify. Also if you see the record broken – it gives you every confidence to know that it’s possible!”

Matt Ryder will begin his 2025 British Hillclimb Championship presented by Nova Motorsport title defence at Prescott this weekend (26/27 April). The series features 30 rounds across England, Northern Ireland, Jersey and Guernsey with the championship decided at Loton Park in September.

More information can be found at www.britishhillclimb.co.uk