Following its recent successful outing at Race Retro, the historic Guyson Sandblaster Special is preparing for a significant year ahead, with a highly anticipated return to competitive action on the horizon. Guyson is delighted to announce that the Sandblaster Special will compete in the 2026 British Hillclimb Championship season. The first opportunity to see the car in action will be over the weekend of 10th May at Harewood, Yorkshire.
Behind the wheel for the season will be Tim Thomson and Jonathan Flesher. This continues the strong Guyson connection, with Tim being the son of Jim Thomson, who during his tenure as Managing Director of Guyson International (1953-1991), originally sponsored the car and gave it the name “Sandblaster Special”. Guyson is proud to continue this historic association throughout what promises to be an exhilarating season.
The British Hillclimb Championship is steeped in history, with the inaugural championship taking place in 1947, nearly 80 years ago. Since then, the championship has been held annually at a variety of venues across the United Kingdom. It is widely regarded as the most prestigious hillclimbing championship in Britain, with 32 different drivers having been crowned champion to date.
The Sandblaster Special itself holds an important place in British hillclimb history, having been driven to championship victories in 1969 and 1971 by its original designer and builder, David Hepworth.
Originally constructed using a 1960s Brabham Formula One car, the Sandblaster Special was extensively modified to meet the unique demands of hillclimb competition. One of the most significant adaptations was the addition of a four-wheel drive transfer case, greatly enhancing performance on hillclimb courses. Further modifications included the installation of a powerful Chevrolet V8 engine, a custom-designed gearbox and the distinctive yellow “Sandblaster Special” livery.
Since its initial retirement from competition, the car has been carefully preserved and maintained by Hepworth International, David Hepworths vehicle restoration business. The company specialises in the restoration, preparation and maintenance of a wide range of racing cars, as well as classic road vehicles and motorcycles. In recent decades, ownership of the car has passed to David’s sons, Stephen and Andrew, who supported by Guyson International have worked tirelessly to maintain the vehicle and prepare it for its return to full competition.
Find out more about the 2026 British Hillclimb Championship
To learn more about the 2026 British Hillclimb Championship season, including event details and opportunities to see the Guyson Sandblaster Special in action, please visit the official website: https://www.britishhillclimb.co.uk/