Sandy Bay Hillclimb Report.

Sunday 16^th May.

 This, our first Speed Hillclimb, was held in conjunction with the Nelson Car Club, to whom we are greatly indebted.

The “Hill” was the Riwaka end of the Riwaka-Sandy Bay road leading to Marahau. The course was some 3.0Km long and whilst very wet had not suffered from the overnight flooding and slips encountered elsewhere. NCC ran the meeting very efficiently with their new computer controlled timing system, sending cars up at one minute intervals – but due allowance was made for performance differentials as the Evo boys went up in 1.40 minutes and our standard cars were over the 3 minute mark!

The powerful cars struggled with wheelspin and maintaining traction (just like me in my Austin Chummy!).

A total of 36 cars made the run, 14 of which were from the VCC, including a magnificent 10 from the Nelson region. The planned 4 runs at the hill were wisely reduced to 3, because the organisers feared that the Motueka River Bridge was about to be closed due to flooding and we might not all get home.

Avon Hyde put up a remarkable performance in his Austin Special, taking 10^th place overall and showing that a good Vintage car can still cut mustard with the moderns when driven properly. He went home with our new Nelson VCC Hillclimb trophy for his mantelpiece.

Despite the rain I saw only smiling faces, including the wet marshals and a few brave spectators. It was notable that most VCC cars were road legal which just proves that anybody can compete if they want to – it’s not the winning but the participation that counts. NCC are aiming to run a December Hillclimb on the Whangamoas old road, so if you are interested give me a call and I’ll tell you what you need. This is very cheap Motorsport and tremendous fun, even better than a Picnic run!

Thanks are due to all the movers and shakers who made this such a great day, especially Burkhart, Pat Pascoe, Richard Topliss, Frank Renwick, John Stickney and Don Amon who donated the new Trophy.

Bob Thompson.

Click For Sandy Bay Race Results May2010

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