Photos; Gears and Wheels Photography More than 100 competitors from around Australia have been confirmed to take part in this weekend’s Motorsport Australia Hill Climb Championship in Newcastle.
Run by the MG Car Club of Newcastle, the final National Speed and Auto Test event for the year will be held at the popular Ringwood Park Motorsport Complex where the 101 competitors will get seven runs up the 1.3-kilometre course.
Spread over two official days, Saturday’s action will see every competitor get four attempts before taking on a further three runs on Sunday, with the driver holding the fastest time by Sunday afternoon deemed the overall winner.
Not only does the entry list boast one of the largest fields in recent times, but the quality of competitors will undoubtedly add to the excitement, with a solid number of individuals in the contention for the title.
Headlining the entry list is reigning national hill climb champion Dean Tighe, who is fresh from winning the Motorsport Australia Supersprint Championship earlier this month.
Having had plenty of experience at Ringwood Park, Tighe enters the event as one of the clear favourites to claim his fourth national title in two years.
The Queenslander will have lots of competition across the weekend with a variety of heavy hitters entered.
Some of those big names include long-time rival Dean Amos, Victorians Greg Ackland and Alan Foley, South Australian David Mahon, and fellow Queenslanders Brett Bull, Warwick Hutchinson and David Morrow.
Outside of the open-wheelers, the other big name for fans to keep an eye on is Mirko Grbic in his Time Attack Mitsubishi Evo7, with the Victorian often the fastest tin top car at most hill climbs he attends.
Ahead of the 2023 Motorsport Australia Hill Climb Championship, Clerk of Course David Atkins was looking forward to what would be a big weekend.
“From a club perspective, it’s all very exciting to have more than 100 drivers from around the country at our home base for a national championship,” Atkins said.
“We ran the national championship back in 2014 when the venue was brand new, so with that experience behind us, I have every confidence the club will do a fantastic job once again.
“I think one of the most exciting things about this weekend is just how strong the entry list is – any one of about 10 competitors could win the title, so I wouldn’t like to pick a winner because there are so many who are capable.
“The fact that we have four state champions here this weekend is a testament to the growth of the sport and fans who attend will get lots to enjoy.
“We are expecting a decent crowd to attend due to the big push from the club, the excellent weather forecast and the strong entry list.
“I also want this opportunity to thank all the volunteers who have signed up and will be helping run this event – Couldn’t be done without them.”
Official practice will take place on Friday before the competition begins from 9am AEDT on Saturday and Sunday.
Spectators can purchase tickets at the gate for $10 per person or $20 for the family.
Get more information on the event via the MG Car Club of Newcastle.
The Motorsport Australia Hill Climb Championship takes place at Ringwood Park Motorsport Complex on 27-29 October.
Keyword: National hill climb gearing up for highly anticipated title fight