Roy Lane

Roy Lane (c. 1935[1] - 14 October 2009) was a British racing driver. He is best known for his great success in hillclimbing, having won the British Hillclimb Championship on four occasions (1975, 1976, 1992, and 1996) in a career spanning more than three decades. Lane won 90 individual rounds of the championship, a record equaled by Martin Groves in July 2009.[2]

Lane still holds the course record at Curborough sprint track; 26.84 secs in his Pilbeam MP58-09 4 litre DFL since 21 April 1996, where he was almost invincible. In the 1990s, his partnership with the Pilbeam constructor was one of the most successful in the sport.

The back problems which troubled Lane for many years kept his appearances to a minimum in recent seasons, although he still competed on occasion, and continued to be competitive in sprinting. He made a full return to hillclimbing in 2006, at the wheel of a Porsche 911.

Lane was formerly chief instructor at the Prescott Hillclimb Drivers School.

Roy Lane died of peritonitis on 14 October 2009.[3]

References

  1. "Roy Lane 1935-2009". Autosport. Vol. 198 no. 4. 22 October 2009. p. 90.
  2. Walder, Eddie (23 July 2009). "Groves and Moran level as duel hots up". Autosport. p. 89.
  3. "British hillclimb legend Roy Lane dies date=15 October 2009". Autosport.
Sporting positions
Preceded by
Mike MacDowel
British Hill Climb Champion
1975-1976
Succeeded by
Alister Douglas-Osborn
Preceded by
David Render
British Sprint Champion
1984
Succeeded by
Ray Rowan
Preceded by
Martyn Griffiths
British Hill Climb Champion
1992
Succeeded by
David Grace
Preceded by
Andy Priaulx
British Hill Climb Champion
1996
Succeeded by
Roger Moran


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