The Ubrique – Benaocaz International Hill Climb celebrates thrilling first day 26.04.2015: Basque Country´s driver Andrés Vilariño was quickest on Saturday driving his Norma 3000

Basque Country´s driver Andrés Vilariño was quickest on Saturday driving his Norma 3000 and claiming win in Category 1, with Javi Villa and his BRC B49 taking honors in Category 2. Finally Raúl Borreguero and his “American giant”, the Mosler MT900, finished first in Category 3


The Ubrique-Benaocaz International Hillclimb, now celebrating its twentieth anniversary, is two days away from the roar of the engines in the mountains of Grazalema. The work done by Escudería Ubrique in recent years foresees one of the best editions ever. The entry list firms up 86-car field to the obvious delight of the crowd for a race counting towards the Spanish Hillclimb championship, the Andalusian series and the FIA International Hill Climb Cup.


The first day was brought to a close and the Ubrique – Benaocaz International Hillclimb was a resounding success despite weather situation was looking slightly adverse but then it improved and then it left the way open for pure racing action. Most notable absence was Tiziano Riva and his Reynard 92D, and the schedule for today was two training sessions and Heat 1 with almost identical protagonists.


So Andrés Vilariño, with Riva absent – his strongest rival a priori-, set a fastest time in the Category 1 by setting a time of 2:23.579 during his first attempt and improving almost five seconds later during second training session.


 Javi Villa, with his Bango Racing Cars-buikt CM, finally clocked a time of 2:21.065, beating Jonathan Álvarez, with another BRC, with two Demon cars driven by Joseba Iraola and Manuel Avilés third and fourth. José Antonio López-Fombona, with his almost perfect Audi A4 DTM, ranked 8th.




Regarding competitors in Category 3, Raúl Borreguero´s pace behind the wheel of the Mosler MT900 was unmatched, with a best time of 2:29.062, ahead of Manuel Maldonado, with a Porsche 997 GT3 Cup and Humberto Janssens with another car from Weissach.


Finally, in Heat 1, Vilariño was quickest again in the Spanish Hill Climb championship with a time of 2:16.794 in the Category 1 and, so far, the best time set over the weekend. Villa, equalling his previous pace finished first in Category 2, with Iraola three seconds slower but taking second in the rankings. López-Fombona, Álvarez and Avilés also claiming top-5 finish.


Then, in Category 3, only Borreguero was able to post a time under 2:30, with Janssens and Maldonado four and five seconds behind respectively. It was worth mentioning Sergi Pañella placed fourth with his Mitsubishi Lancer EVO X almost beating more powerful GT cars and, in fact, he was faster than Michael Roy Anderson, in a Ginetta G50 GT4, and Aldo de Alberto, with his fantastic and loved SEAT Córdoba WRC.


The FIA International Hill Climb Cup was led by Vilariño, with López-Fombona, Borreguero, Janssens and Maldonado rounding off the top five. The Andalusian championship was won by Janssens, with Maldonado and Pañella second and third in the Category 1, and then Álvarez in category 2.


Today the program includes a third training session before Race 2 and Race 3.



We should to express our deepest sympathy to family and friends of Czech driver Otakar Kramsky, who sadly was killed driving his Cosworth-powered Reynard car during Rechberg Hill Climb event. A minute of silence will be observed just before third training session to show our respect for the memory of Kramsky, three-time European champion.



Escuderia Aubrique also photos