HILLCLIMB CHALLENGE RESULTS

Congratulations to our winners of the 2017 MBOP Hillclimb Challenge.  This year we ran the gravel round at Old Kaimai Rd and the tarmac round at the Penny Rd hillclimb last weekend.  

Once again Phil Jones has taken out the overall Challenge with wins on both surfaces proving how quick he is on any surface.  Well done Phil.

And a new 2WD Champion this year, with Bill Hunter bringing his RX7 home in first place in the 2WD category.  Congratulations Bill.

Full results are on the Points page, as are updated points following the Penny Rd event.

Penny rd hillclimb

Well what a dramatic event!  And not the racing!  A cold and icy morning proved to be too much for one of our competitors, who unfortunately had their trailer lock up on them in a patch of ice and overturn.  Happily for all involved there were no injuries and not too much damage to any of the vehicles save the trailer.  And then we received a frantic call from our first aid providers to say that their vehicle had been involved in an ice caused crash on the way to the event!  Well that's just what you need isn't it?  However again no injuries thankfully, though a lot of hassle for the first aid providers.  They did manage to get another vehicle and get to the event though.  Well done to them.  

But on to the event, which in contrast went like clockwork.  A great bunch of helpers on hand to set up and a great load of competitors to have a go at a hill that MBOP has not used before.  Some great competition with only a couple of small incidents and breakages.  Gary Bodly from TVCC led the pack in his super quick CRX, but he was closely followed by Phil Jones, who came in second, just ahead of Stephen Barker from HCC who was driving Chris Reid's WRX.  Richard Rau brought his 323 home in fourth, just pipping Ben Quin in his EVO5.  A new member and competitor, Mark McKenzie came home in a very creditable 6th place, behind another visitor from HCC Chris McPhail in his EVO9.

James West cleaned up Class A from Nick Oldham, whilst Neville Jones blitzed Class B to win by 4 seconds from Neil Rogers.  Gary Bodley took out Class C from another HCC visotor Bernad McLean in his MRX, while Neale Morris was a lone Class D competitor in his Mercedes.  Phil Jones and Stephen Barker were top in Class E1 and Chris McPhail best and only in E2.

It was a beautiful, if frosty, day and most people had a great day.  Thanks to everyone who came along.  Results are posted on the results page.

Next up

Next up is the first round of our Track Championship, with the share event at Pukekohe Racetrack with Commodore Car Club.  As soon as we receive their regs and info we'll le you know.  You will have read in Idle Torq how much Dianne enjoyed her day up there in June, so make sure you get up there and have a go.