WIGGINGTON'S Sam Matthew-man is feeling on top of the world after driving his rivals round the bend to become the 2003 Auto66 National Hill Climb and Twisty Sprint champion.

Matthewman, 32, triumphed against more than 200 contenders for the title by winning all 12 rounds in the modern (751-1300cc) class.

He secured victory on a Suzuki TL1000S, winning the series for a second successive year.

The competition involves races at Scarborough, Elvington, Carnaby and Dalby Forest with the showcase event being the famous Oliver's Mount road race in Scarborough.

Hill climbing consists of racing from a standing start against the clock over a pre-determined course, while the twisty sprint events are normally on tarmac track circuits with two or three riders competing together at regular intervals. Competitors get two practice sessions and six recorded times for the hill climbs with the fastest determining the victor.

Courses are between half a mile to just over a mile long and can take between 26 seconds and just over a minute to complete.

The emphasis on both disciplines is speed and at Dalby Forest Matthewman reached 150mph on his way to victory and setting a new course record.

But the York-based mechanical and electrical services estimator pointed out the two styles of racing do require different styles, saying: "In road racing if you make a mistake on one lap it does not affect you too much because you can make it up in the next lap but in hill climbs you only get one chance. You are setting off on cold tyres and have got to attack a lot more against the clock.

"It's not like road racing when you know if you are the leader."

Matthewman recovered from breaking bones in his thumb and ankle - his worst injuries in motor sport - after a practice day crash in March at Elvington to start the season two months later.

He said: "It was a speedy recovery and a bit of one-handed repair work to the bike meant it was fit in time for the first round at Scarborough on May 3.

"Every meeting there's somebody who crashes but at least if you fall off it's usually your own fault because there's nobody around who is going to take three people out like there are in big races."

Victories followed in the first 11 meetings and Matthewman went into the last round needing a win at Dalby Forest to secure the overall title with the leaders of the Vintage and Classic Championships just half a point behind him, and he duly obliged.

Having ridden a motorbike since he was five, Matthewman did a spot of motocross and was a sidecar racing passenger before he first entered the Hill Climb and Twisty Sprint Championship four years ago.

His friend and fellow York competitor, Mark Wigham, from Terrington, also finished second for the second successive year in the Modern Championship on his Suzuki SV650.

The Auto66 Club, which is based in Scarborough, will hold its trophy presentations at the Annual York Speed Show on December 6 at the York Racecourse Exhibition Centre.

Many of the bikes and cars that competed this season will also be on display.

Updated: 10:16 Saturday, November 01, 2003