Sport
25 May, 2023
Locals tackle hill climb
MT Leura came alive with the sounds and smells of motor racing last weekend when the Ballarat Light Car Club staged round three of the 2023 Victorian Hillclimb Championship.
MT Leura came alive with the sounds and smells of motor racing last weekend when the Ballarat Light Car Club staged round three of the 2023 Victorian Hillclimb Championship.
Cars returned to the mount for the second time this season.
The historic venue has been a staple part of the Victorian championships for decades, as well as hosting the Australian championships three times since 1949.
The 313-metre course wound its way around the extinct volcano, challenging drivers with long straights and a turn four ‘cutting’ which makes for quick precision racing in all categories.
More than 80 entries competed for class wins and outright times, with one of the highlights of the weekend being the running of the Hannaford Seeds Cross Border Challenge.
“It was great to have drivers from interstate again return to Camperdown,” Ballarat Light Car Club president Wayne Drew said.
“We had a great weekend in what was very trying conditions but all competitors endured those and from the feedback received, all had a great weekend and are keen to return.”
Despite Saturday’s wet and challenging conditions, some great times were recorded in each of the 15 or so classes.
Camperdown’s Leigh Ball was ranked 44 of the 81 drivers at the end of the weekend after recording his fastest time of 39.95 in his Morris 850.
Douglas Johnson, driving a Subaru WRX, had the fastest time of the weekend with a 30.69 to finish ahead of Keith Wilson and Patrick Malanaphy in third.
“The weekend gave the drivers an opportunity to have nine runs over the two days and they really appreciated that despite the conditions,” Wayne said.
“Most completed five runs on Saturday and four on Sunday. We did have three big accidents over the weekend but fortunately no-one was seriously injured.”
The remaining rounds of the 2023 Vic Hill Climb will take place on June 10 and 11 at One Tree Hill (Ararat Car Club) and August 27 at Bryant Park (Victorian Mini Club Inc.)
