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The following press release was issued by Cooma Car Club to attract entries to its inaugral hillclimb. Although addressed to Cooma Car Club and SDMA, I imagine they would be happy to accept entries from further afield if anyone wants to run their road registered car. If interested contact the club as per details below. I have an entry in for Britney - Peter Browning.

COOMA CAR CLUB LOOKING FOR MORE LOCAL ENTRIES FOR INAUGRAL HILL CLIMB

Cooma Car Club (CMHAC) are encouraging local and district drivers to enter the inaugural Mount Gladstone Hill Climb to be held on the Mount Gladstone Road, this coming Sunday 17 November.

As this is an inaugural event, the Car Club Committee organizing the event have deliberately adopted a low key approach with entries limited to a total of 40 from the Cooma Car Club and the Southern District Motorsports Association (SDMA Canberra Hill Climb Club). However, so far local entries far have been disappointing.

DETAILS – WHEN/WHERE
• Entries will be accepted up to 8 PM on Thursday 14/11/2013
• There are a range entry classes, however all vehicles must be road-registerable
• Scrutineering will be at the CMHAC Club House, Bolaro Street, Cooma on 17 November from 7 to 9 AM.
• A CAMS Level 2 licence is required; however CMHAC will assist with obtaining a day one-day licence for the event.
• Driver’s briefing will be held at the start line at 9:30 AM
• The event will start at 10 AM and finish by 4 PM.

WHY ENTER
Hillclimbing is one of Motorsports grass roots disciplines, where drivers learn to think more about their driving and the car around you. In fact, Hillclimbing is often referred to as a “Thinking Drivers” form of motor sport; that offers all the challenges, and experiences in testing your ability and the performance of your car whilst competing against other cars.

A lot of work has gone into getting ready for this event including significant improvements to the 1 km long Mount Gladstone track. Experts who have seen the track are impressed, and the Car Club organisers are urging locals to make an entry this week to become part of history in the inaugural Hill Climb which is anticipated to be an exciting fore runner of a future regular programme of Hillclimbs at this outstanding track.

- ENDS –

For further information, please contact:
Ian Hampton
Cooma Monaro Historic Automobile Club Inc.
0400 528 115
More detail and entry forms on Car Club website http://www.coomacarclub.com.au/

The Cooma Car Club ran a very good inaugral hillclimb at Mt Gladstone in Cooma on Sunday 17th. As this was their first ever hillclimb, assistance was provided by the Southern Districts Motorsports Club Canberra. Apparently the local councils have been very supportive, so hopefully it will be considered a success and they can run their 4 events per year (out of snow season). The club put in a huge effort to get the event running.

Mt Gladstone is a public road up to a lookout which was closed for the day and the competitive section was around 870 metres. Image closing a section of the Jamberoo road or similar, with additional armco and tyres for safety.

There were 32 entrants in road registered cars (required for this event), but I was the only MX5 on the day. Fastest was a very quick targa spec Evo in 39 seconds, followed by a rotary powered clubman in 43 seconds and then a Nissan powered clubman in 44 seconds. They were followed by a gaggle of other 4 wheel drives and clubman style vehicles in the Special Vehicle class running in the 44 to 47 second bracket.

Dave Battisson ran his Carco turbocharged and supercharged Locost clubman which was formidable in a straight line but didn't have the tyres for the twisty bits - a bit of an eye opener for his first hillclimb.

Given it was a horsepower hill, although speed was controlled with a chicane, Britney (NA6 1600 on Kumho V70As) acquitted herself very well with a mid 48 and was in the top couple of cars in Types 1, 2 and 3. She was close to the rev limiter in 3rd, so was motoring well.

Lance McGrath and Stewart Grigg continued their personal ute challenge, which I think Lance won with a high 49. An enjoyable day and Cooma is worth a visit in the warmer weather, so keep an eye out for further events in the new year.

I will post official times when they are issued.

Times are on the Cooma car club website. 32 cars entered.

1st outright Phil Heafey Evo VI 39.45 - a very quick targa car
2nd Outright Dick Bates Rotary Westfield 43.75 - (Neal and Ricks father still has the touch)

MX5 members included:

Dave Battison 45.99 Locost 3rd Type SV 8th outright
Peter Browning 48.49 MX5 NA6 1st Type 3
Lance McGrath 49.80 XR8 ute 3rd Type 1/2 over 3000 cc
Stewart Grigg 50.05 V8 ute 4th Type 1/2 over 3000 cc

Other impressive times in types 1 to 3 were a Renault Clio with a 47.56, a Porsche Cayman with 46.97 ans V8 Commodore with 46.49.

A fun event.

Nicely done Peter. Seen any photos surface yet?

There are a couple of Youtube videos that give a feel for the track (search cooma hillclimb gives several - watch the Renault Clio with Brian), but I haven't seen any other photos. I didn't have a camera on the day.

I might come out and give this a go next year. What are the run-offs like?

Most run-off areas are solid, so there is relatively little margin for error as it is a public road, which adds a bit of interest. More like a mini targa stage.

The youtube videos give an idea.

Well worth a run as it is a different type of course to Fairbairn park.