Blayney driver Phillip Ryan, and he's sure to perform well in his Datsun 280ZX. A
big chance to stand on the top step of the podium is the young motor mechanic ...
BATHURST REAL ESTATE AUSTRALIAN HILLCLIMB CHAMPIONSHIP PROMOTED & ORGANISED BY BATHURST LIGHT CAR CLUB ___________________________________________________________________
LOCAL DRIVERS CHASING NATIONAL GLORY IN HILLCLIMB When the Bathurst Real Estate 2012 Australian Hillclimb Championship is conducted this week by the Bathurst Light Car Club at Mount Panorama, there will be several drivers from the local region chasing glory in their respective classes, and in one case outright. Heading the list is one of the events hot favourites for outright victory, Mudgee driver Doug Barry who competes as a member of the BLCC, and this year won the NSW Championship, including a round win on the Mountain Straight course at Bathurst where this week’s championship will be decided. Barry is a genuine chance of victory in his lethally fast Lola T8750, which would be his and his club’s first national title win. There are also several capable of winning classes, with Martin McLoughlin one of the best chances. The multiple national and state champion will drive his 6 cylinder Holden Torana in the Group 3J over 3000cc class that has attracted eight entries. Oberon driver Phil Haynes is also one of those with a chance, driving his very fast Ford Falcon XA Coupe. Sports Sedans is always popular among locals, and 2012 is no different with Stuart Inwood favourite to win the over 3000cc class in his Ford Falcon AU, a de-registered V8 Supercar. Inwood is also on the list of favourites to win the prestigious Bathurst RSL Club Tin Top Award. Among the 17 starters in the over 3000cc class is another Bathurst driver Kurt Woodward, still coming to grips with his ex-Wayne Burden Holden Gemini, and if he has sorted the teething problems with this very competitive car may open eyes. In the same class is Blayney driver Phillip Ryan, and he’s sure to perform well in his Datsun 280ZX. A big chance to stand on the top step of the podium is the young motor mechanic Aden Hadley with his 1853cc Datsun 1000 in the 1601cc – 2000cc sports sedan class. The combination of ability as a driver, and a fast car that is well prepared should hold him in good stead. Another local youngster is Brad Shiels, and he’ll be driving his Mazda RX-7 in the Group 2B Marque Sports Over 3000cc, and is a real chance of taking the win. The Group 2A Open/Closed Sports Cars class contains two Bathurst drivers, with Matthew Windsor driving his Envoy Sportsracing, a 5 litre car with enormous potential, but as yet he has not even driven it.
In the same class is Karen Inwood in the Nissan Skyline R33 that her husband did exceptionally good things with in this year’s NSW Hillclimb Championship, so she just may reproduce that form here. The veteran local driver David Tutton is competing in his son Mark’s Subaru WRX, and he is driving in the Group 3J Improved Production Late Model SV over 3000cc class. Another local competing is historic stalwart Geoff Fry, driving his recently purchased Bowin Formula Ford in the Historic Group Q.
