The art of racing in the rain - Hillman style

[@HFStuart]

Job for the winter - wiper on the side window!

[@Carinae108]

Be honest James - you're really a rally driver!!

[@petercooper2387]

Great Style James. You are a worthy successor to the likes of John Homewood, Alex Clacher, Rob Mason, Jeff Ward, Bill McGovern, Ray Payne and Ray Calcutt. All Imp legends from long ago in the early 70's. They were the men to beat then and you are now! Keep up the great tradition!

[@donr2176]

What happened to my hero of 1966-68- Roger Nathan in his amazing Imps?? He held lap and race records all over the UK... I loved it when his Imp consistently beat a whole swarm of BMC Minis- including once at Brands when I saw him beat John Rhodes in a Works Mini!! I'm now 79 and will always treasure those superb 1960's!!

[@yoeddynz]

Ha ha wicked!!! Great result and done in style. Amazing you got any traction out of those corners without an lsd!! Also- I loved the way both imps shot ahead off the start line as some of the other cars just sat there doing one wheel peels :)

[@NigelGent]

Gave me a big grin and reminded me of some sideways action I had on a snowy trip home in my Singer Chamios back in the 1970's.

[@notrut]

I used to work on a fleet of 25 Imps late 70s ... that Win put a smile on my face!

[@reimoloon]

That was fun to watch! Congrats mate!

[@hillmaniac]

Well done mate! Perfect control!

[@iankirwan8156]

Great car, great driver, a deserved win. Well done and good luck for 2023

[@davidmotoman4956]

well done i say. Love the little Imp s

[@PiefacePete46]

I had to watch it five times end to end just to see it clearly enough through the mist in my eyes! 🥲 It took me back to the late sixties... competing in an Imp meant putting up with all sorts of smart-ass comments from the mini brigade. It was sooo satisfying when I could "Rub their noses in it". Thanks for the Master-Class!

[@dirtyberty3933]

Well done lad!!, that was some silky driving! Rain sets the men from the boys!! 👍

[@rambler1964]

Awesome to watch! nicely done and good luck with 2023 dude!

[@johncunningham4820]

Hillman Imp . The British equivalent of a Baby Porsche . They were/are quick little cars .

[@Paws4thot]

Reminding me of my first ever race meetings, at the old Ingleston track in Scotland, not that you'll be old enough to have raced there? Well, it was some 47 years ago. Aside on the commentary; they do award "style points" in drift classes apparently.

[@thatcheapguy525]

absolute legend. you just made my day!

[@mikeseabourneracing4854]

So cool it hurts😎 can't wait to see more in 2023!

[@elo7393]

Good show!!

[@nagaraworkshop]

Truly excellent! In the 70s my first (legal) car was an Imp; gold with a black top and red wheels. Even in stock standard trim with no mods at all it would be so controllable and the chassis was so capable. I would drive it flat out everywhere. Sadly I had to abandon it for scrap even though it was in good condition because the block and head were both warped, due to my stupid driving, and I simply couldn't find a cheap 2nd hand engine as so many suffered the same fate. the stupidity of youth! Watching you drive on the limit reminded me how good the chassis was at unprovoked 4-wheel drifting with just the right amount of turn-in and lift-off oversteer; all very much an analogue experience in which one's own inputs really mirrored the cars behaviour. Keep it going!

[@kiehlnbrandy]

Excellent work!

[@C3P0R2D2]

Just seen you on WeaselWerks channel with the winning machine. Great to see your car in detail on their channel! And a few drifts 🤗

[@bandidol200]

"Questionable" my arse, that was bloody brilliant!!! 🏁 😎

[@Jamesibbotson875]

Haha! Thank you!😁

[@bandidol200]

@@Jamesibbotson875 can you let me know how to view the video where they state "questionable driving". Have seen the race footage, but it doesn't mention it. Thanks

[@looneyliron]

Woww james , what a driver , you certainly know how the imp drives , great video to watch, just like a rally driver round that track sidewards , great win as well 👍

[@rocketman57]

Brilliant stuff! 🤩🤩

[@bartorlans5390]

Fantastic performance!

[@zounds13]

WOW!

[@C3P0R2D2]

Your a humble guy James. Magnificent result. Poetry in motion, are there no limits to this imp / driver combo? You manage to keep a smile on all our faces! 😁 Really proud of you after being a supporter for a while. 🏁🏁🏁🏁🇬🇧

[@Jamesibbotson875]

Thanks Noel!

[@C3P0R2D2]

@@Jamesibbotson875 Thank you for always putting on the free show! Subbed and bell is on for sure... See you in 23'.

[@mk1cortinatony395]

Awesome driver and car!

[@gekolizzard]

😂😂 awesome control…love it.

[@BakerWild]

Class driving there! Congrats on those results

[@adamsfamilydottwo]

I watch the WRC and other championships where there are 4wd cars and I think you demonstration of car control is superior

[@betacam235]

I enjoyed that .Lovely bit of rally driving..... 115bhp might be a bit much for the stock box. I was racing an Imp 1040 (with 4 speed Jack Knight box) in France a few years ago but realised the scroll joint on the clutch end of the crank ruled out continuing; it was throwing out oil fog which got all over the rear left tyre and I was spinning out on right handers....dangerous, as I was near the front so nearly got hit by several others. I still have the Davrians so will get in touch with your engine builder and see what can be done.

[@tomtd]

I used to rally an imp magic mini eater. I seem to recall we remade the front wishbones to kill the -ve camber. Wonder how he would do with a mechanical lsd! I knew a guy who put a climax pump engine in his, now that was a quick car.

[@neiljarvis8911]

What a hero, love it!😂

[@nazdagg1945]

come over to the states and get a ride in a sprint car, you'll be right at home.

[@dominiquedradin340]

Hahahaaaa ! C'est ça piloter à la limite. Sans faute c'est très difficile, alors je dis bravo. Voilà une Imp entre de bonne mains; Super, et bonne continuation. 🙃

[@DjNikGnashers]

My mate said he had bought a 2 door, rear engine'd, rear wheel drive, track car and I was so hoping it was an IMP. Turned out to be a 911 turbo, I was so disappointed.

[@PiefacePete46]

@DjNikGnashers : I can understand your disappointment... totally inferior choice on his part! 😜

[@wendellfugate4225]

Well done, laddie.

[@thephilpott2194]

5 or 6 minutes in we hear 'I think that may be the fastest way to drive that car' Astute, and pretty much correct- they're competitive if they're oversteering, it's just the way Imps are!

[@mikefpe]

Got to give them a show 😜👍🏻

[@Jamesibbotson875]

Absolutely mate!🏁

[@jimhall9624]

John Rhodes (60's mini Racer) was his Grandfather !

[@BirdmanGer]

"now he's just showboating!" xD

[@bangkokatm666]

what power is that putting in or out?