Watch out for Biddy in the Harewood Hill Climb

Jun 22 2009 Huddersfield Daily Examiner

SELF-CONFESSED ‘petrolhead’ Biddy Fisher is preparing to take on a motoring challenge.

She’s going up against seasoned racers in a bid to raise cash for Marie Curie Cancer Care.

But she’ll be doing it in the family car!

Ms Fisher, of Denby Dale, will be tackling the famous Harewood Hill Climb on August 13.

The 57-year-old retired librarian will take on the challenge at the British Automobile Racing Club Ladies Day at Harewood House.

Ms Fisher will be using her own BMW 535M car for the task.

“I am really looking forward to the experience, even though I shall be doing it in a most unsuitable car.

“I signed up before I thought about the car and you have to use your own.

“It’s heavy, it’s big, it’s got automatic gears.

“I have never done a hill climb. But this brings together motorsports and raising money for a concern that I have considerable respect for. It’s an opportunity not to be missed.”

Speed hill climbing is a kind of motorsport where drivers have to finish an uphill course in the shortest time.

The fastest cars can complete the 1,448m course in just over 50 seconds, with speeds exceeding 125 mph.

Harewood has been used as a hill climb track since 1962, when the track was shorter and made of tar and chippings.

The fastest time set for this short course was just over 51 seconds.

In 1963, the track was upgraded to a tarmacadam surface and in 1992, the track was extended to the new start point, making it the longest permanent hill climb course on the UK mainland.

It will be the first hillclimb for Ms Fisher, who retired as librarian at Sheffield Hallam University last year.

She now spends her time on duties connected to her role as vice president of the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals.