The Ulster Automobile Club (UAC) has announced that Patterson Electronics have extended their generous sponsorship of Craigantlet Hill Climb for a fourth year, alongside the support from Belfast City Council and several local businesses.
The 2026 entry list includes 70 percent of the top 10 leading drivers and machinery competing in rounds three and four of the Motorsport UK British Hill Climb Championship (BHC).
Current champion Matt Ryder defends his number one position, followed by four-time champion Wallace Menzies in second, while third place will be occupied by Will Hall.
Craigantlet also hosts the second round of the CAS-KART Association of Northern Ireland Car Clubs (ANICC) Hill Climb Championship and the first round of the UAC Club Championship this weekend.
It is fantastic to see a new championship sponsor and two local drivers in the BHC mix, with ANICC defending champion Tim Woodside competing in his Gould GR55 and Michael Beattie driving the Alpine A 110S.
The ANICC entries are packed with quality drivers and features machinery such as, Mini, BMW, Audi, Westfield, Toyota, Ford, Subaru, as well as a range of single seaters, over 15 different classes.
Ian Culbert, sales director at Patterson Electronics, commented “We are delighted to support a full entry, bursting with quality drivers and machinery to the ‘Hill’ and are extremely proud of our continued association with the UAC and Craigantlet.
“This is a superb event, extremely well organised by a friendly and supportive team of dedicated volunteers, and it provides a spectacle not seen anywhere else in Northern Ireland. We want to wish everyone involved a safe and enjoyable day at Craigantlet.”
Clerk of the course Wilson Carson reflected: “ 2025 was a very special year for the UAC, as we celebrated our 100th anniversary.
“We had an absolutely superb hill climb, where the tension was palpable all day, with competitors setting new personal bests and providing spectators with the opportunity to witness the top drivers inching closer to the hill climb record of 39.12 seconds.
Tomorrow, fans can meet with drivers and see the cars from 5pm onwards, in the grounds of Campbell College, Belmont Road, BT4 2ND.
On Saturday morning, roads close at 7.30am, before practice starts at 9.30am, ahead of the first of the three timed runs at noon.
