The issue isn't really "illegal" practising; the issue is 500hp+ tractors, packs of 4x4s, "overuse" by trials and other clubs (though they all have every right to be there as well as anyone else), heavy rain and lack of funding to local authorities. Simms is the 'go-to' hill for everyone out for a challenge. With the others in close proximity (Lenda, Tipley, Trendlebere) it is easy to incorporate it in a run of BOATs. Who wouldn't?
In fact I would suggest that nothing gets done in the way of repairs until shortly before we (the MCC) require the hill - say early-mid December. In that way at least we get to use the hill in a reasonable condition.
Or we do the local authority's job and everyone else benefits; and by the time we get to the Exeter it'll be needing more repairs. Or we talk to the local Authority (Devon County Highways) and come to some arrangement. As probably the biggest user - ie the largest number of vehicles on a single event using the hill in an aggressive way - we should be doing something about it immediately after the Exeter each year to ensure it isn't the MCC who get the finger of blame over it's condition pointed in our direction.
And no, Ian, I haven't got a working party sorted. But if there's a budget available I'm sure we can get some friends to help regrade/fill/leanmix the worst of the holes and put some stone down to provide a challenge for future use. Then there's Tipley too; the culvert needs sorting at the bottom, the lane out at the top is getting rough too, and so on to Tillerton.
Where do we start, and where do we stop?
R