Latest news with #BathurstLightCarClub
The Advertiser
7 days ago
- Automotive
- The Advertiser
State's best hill climbers head to Ringwood Park for shot at Aussie titles
Some of Australia's best hill climbers will be heading to Ringwood Park Motorsport Complex on August 9 for the final round of the NSW Hillclimb Championships and spots at the upcoming Australian titles. A quality field is expected for the event at Ringwood Park, on Italia Road, Balickera, 12km north of Raymond Terrace, including former Australian champion Dean Tighe, from Queensland, who will arrive back in Australia with four days to spare after racing in the UK. Tighe, who is on track to reclaim the NSW and Australian titles this season, holds the fastest lap record at the Ringwood Park track which is rated by many as Australia's most challenging track. Other drivers who will be pushing for class and overall honours at the final round include Kempsey's Dave Morrow who has shown a liking for the Ringwood Park track with podium finishes there on previous visits. Morrow is coming off a victory in the Formula Libre 750-1300cc class at round six at Tamworth. Heddon Greta's Tim Blake in his Subaru Impreza WRX and Peter Akers (Subaru Impreza,) finished first and second respectively in the Sedan type cars at the 2025 Queensland Hillclimb Championship. Round seven of the NSW Championships at Ringwood Park, follows the first two rounds at Bahurst, round three at Wollongong, round four at Kempsey, round five at Grafton and round six at Tamworth. The opening two rounds of the NSW Hillclimb Championships on Mt Panorama on March 5-6 were downgraded to Multi Club events due to the floods along the eastern seaboard. However, Tighe managed to get there and set the fastest times on both days of the Bathurst Light Car Club run event. He followed that up with wins at Huntley at Wollongong, Grafton and Kempsey. This weekend's event is hosted by MG Car Club Newcastle, and will finalise overall victory and category wins and subsequent spots at the Australian Hillclimb Championship which will be held at The Bend Motorsport Park in South Australia. Racing driver and instructor Cody McKay, who used the Ringwood Park track to train drivers said it was one of the most challenging and rewarding tracks in Australia. McKay, who has had wins and podiums at the Bathurst 6 Hour and also the Aussie Racing Car Championship, said Ringwood Park hosted the Australian Championship in 2023. While he will not be competing, he said this is an event for all motorsports fans and it will provide plenty of exciting highlights. "This would have to be Australia's most challenging track. If you can get this track right, you're right to go to Bathurst, and you're right to go to the street circuits. "We really teach our students to do well here if they can nail it they have success on all sorts of other tracks. "The intricacies and the technicalities of what's needed to learn how to race here really translates onto the bigger tracks. "This is really technical. You've got to learn your brakes, your steering. There also a lot of undulations, and it's pretty high speed as well. So if something goes wrong, it can really go wrong "The spectators love it as well. "Some of the talented drivers can pretty much do the whole course sideways. "This is a driver's track. It's a real driver's experience. There of all theses ups and downs at the top, and you're going well over 100 kilometres an hour on some sections. So you've really got to be a talented driver Practice is on Saturday, racing on Sunday from 9am with Food and Drinks will be available from the canteen. Racing begins at 9am. Some of Australia's best hill climbers will be heading to Ringwood Park Motorsport Complex on August 9 for the final round of the NSW Hillclimb Championships and spots at the upcoming Australian titles. A quality field is expected for the event at Ringwood Park, on Italia Road, Balickera, 12km north of Raymond Terrace, including former Australian champion Dean Tighe, from Queensland, who will arrive back in Australia with four days to spare after racing in the UK. Tighe, who is on track to reclaim the NSW and Australian titles this season, holds the fastest lap record at the Ringwood Park track which is rated by many as Australia's most challenging track. Other drivers who will be pushing for class and overall honours at the final round include Kempsey's Dave Morrow who has shown a liking for the Ringwood Park track with podium finishes there on previous visits. Morrow is coming off a victory in the Formula Libre 750-1300cc class at round six at Tamworth. Heddon Greta's Tim Blake in his Subaru Impreza WRX and Peter Akers (Subaru Impreza,) finished first and second respectively in the Sedan type cars at the 2025 Queensland Hillclimb Championship. Round seven of the NSW Championships at Ringwood Park, follows the first two rounds at Bahurst, round three at Wollongong, round four at Kempsey, round five at Grafton and round six at Tamworth. The opening two rounds of the NSW Hillclimb Championships on Mt Panorama on March 5-6 were downgraded to Multi Club events due to the floods along the eastern seaboard. However, Tighe managed to get there and set the fastest times on both days of the Bathurst Light Car Club run event. He followed that up with wins at Huntley at Wollongong, Grafton and Kempsey. This weekend's event is hosted by MG Car Club Newcastle, and will finalise overall victory and category wins and subsequent spots at the Australian Hillclimb Championship which will be held at The Bend Motorsport Park in South Australia. Racing driver and instructor Cody McKay, who used the Ringwood Park track to train drivers said it was one of the most challenging and rewarding tracks in Australia. McKay, who has had wins and podiums at the Bathurst 6 Hour and also the Aussie Racing Car Championship, said Ringwood Park hosted the Australian Championship in 2023. While he will not be competing, he said this is an event for all motorsports fans and it will provide plenty of exciting highlights. "This would have to be Australia's most challenging track. If you can get this track right, you're right to go to Bathurst, and you're right to go to the street circuits. "We really teach our students to do well here if they can nail it they have success on all sorts of other tracks. "The intricacies and the technicalities of what's needed to learn how to race here really translates onto the bigger tracks. "This is really technical. You've got to learn your brakes, your steering. There also a lot of undulations, and it's pretty high speed as well. So if something goes wrong, it can really go wrong "The spectators love it as well. "Some of the talented drivers can pretty much do the whole course sideways. "This is a driver's track. It's a real driver's experience. There of all theses ups and downs at the top, and you're going well over 100 kilometres an hour on some sections. So you've really got to be a talented driver Practice is on Saturday, racing on Sunday from 9am with Food and Drinks will be available from the canteen. Racing begins at 9am. Some of Australia's best hill climbers will be heading to Ringwood Park Motorsport Complex on August 9 for the final round of the NSW Hillclimb Championships and spots at the upcoming Australian titles. A quality field is expected for the event at Ringwood Park, on Italia Road, Balickera, 12km north of Raymond Terrace, including former Australian champion Dean Tighe, from Queensland, who will arrive back in Australia with four days to spare after racing in the UK. Tighe, who is on track to reclaim the NSW and Australian titles this season, holds the fastest lap record at the Ringwood Park track which is rated by many as Australia's most challenging track. Other drivers who will be pushing for class and overall honours at the final round include Kempsey's Dave Morrow who has shown a liking for the Ringwood Park track with podium finishes there on previous visits. Morrow is coming off a victory in the Formula Libre 750-1300cc class at round six at Tamworth. Heddon Greta's Tim Blake in his Subaru Impreza WRX and Peter Akers (Subaru Impreza,) finished first and second respectively in the Sedan type cars at the 2025 Queensland Hillclimb Championship. Round seven of the NSW Championships at Ringwood Park, follows the first two rounds at Bahurst, round three at Wollongong, round four at Kempsey, round five at Grafton and round six at Tamworth. The opening two rounds of the NSW Hillclimb Championships on Mt Panorama on March 5-6 were downgraded to Multi Club events due to the floods along the eastern seaboard. However, Tighe managed to get there and set the fastest times on both days of the Bathurst Light Car Club run event. He followed that up with wins at Huntley at Wollongong, Grafton and Kempsey. This weekend's event is hosted by MG Car Club Newcastle, and will finalise overall victory and category wins and subsequent spots at the Australian Hillclimb Championship which will be held at The Bend Motorsport Park in South Australia. Racing driver and instructor Cody McKay, who used the Ringwood Park track to train drivers said it was one of the most challenging and rewarding tracks in Australia. McKay, who has had wins and podiums at the Bathurst 6 Hour and also the Aussie Racing Car Championship, said Ringwood Park hosted the Australian Championship in 2023. While he will not be competing, he said this is an event for all motorsports fans and it will provide plenty of exciting highlights. "This would have to be Australia's most challenging track. If you can get this track right, you're right to go to Bathurst, and you're right to go to the street circuits. "We really teach our students to do well here if they can nail it they have success on all sorts of other tracks. "The intricacies and the technicalities of what's needed to learn how to race here really translates onto the bigger tracks. "This is really technical. You've got to learn your brakes, your steering. There also a lot of undulations, and it's pretty high speed as well. So if something goes wrong, it can really go wrong "The spectators love it as well. "Some of the talented drivers can pretty much do the whole course sideways. "This is a driver's track. It's a real driver's experience. There of all theses ups and downs at the top, and you're going well over 100 kilometres an hour on some sections. So you've really got to be a talented driver Practice is on Saturday, racing on Sunday from 9am with Food and Drinks will be available from the canteen. Racing begins at 9am.
ABC News
26-07-2025
- Automotive
- ABC News
Calls for more racing to address Mount Panorama speeding problem
As one of the most revered racetracks in the world, Mount Panorama-Wahluu is no stranger to speeds in excess of 300 kilometres per hour. But when the country's best drivers are not tackling the track made famous by the Bathurst 1000, it is a public road where increasing numbers of drivers are being caught speeding. According to NSW Police, since the beginning of the year there have been 111 speeding offences on the mountain, 11 of which involved drivers more than 45kph over the 60kph speed limit. Almost 100 of those incidents occurred on Conrod Straight, with a provisional driver caught doing 128kph earlier this month. In May, a learner driver was detected allegedly travelling at 149kph at the same location. "Despite its racing heritage, the rules apply just like they do anywhere else," Acting Inspector Jason Marks said. "Drivers are ignoring these warnings and treating Mount Panorama like a racetrack, putting themselves and others at risk. "It is deeply troubling and concerning." The Bathurst Light Car Club hosts track day events on Mount Panorama-Wahluu, with a section of the circuit closed to allow drivers to test their skills in their own vehicles. President Neville Lin believes the events could provide a solution to the speeding problem. "If we could have more of the one-day events, you would get all the street racers off the street, they would be in a controlled environment," he said. Acting Inspector Marks has backed the plan. "If you want to go fast, get behind the wheel and do those extreme speed limits, sign yourself up to the light car club," he said. "There are a lot of safety measures that go in place for things like that." Five motor racing events involving a full closure of the circuit can be held on Mount Panorama-Wahluu each year. The Bathurst Light Car Club holds a further five events annually with a partial track closure but is hoping to increase that number. However, club vice-president Scott Sims said it "costs an extraordinary amount" to host an event at the mountain compared to other circuits such as Eastern Creek in Sydney. "You can go down there and run for about four hours at Eastern Creek for about $280," he said. "You can do as many laps as you want. "We can't compete, and we're losing a lot of guys." But Mr Sims said nothing could compare to the thrill of racing around one of the greatest circuits in the world. "You are on the edge the whole time. "The circuit is unique because you go up and down hills, there are blind corners. "It is the best feeling you will ever get." Deputy Mayor Ben Fry said Bathurst Regional Council was exploring all options to try and commercialise the racetrack. "We spend $4 million to make $4 million on this asset every year," he said. Last year Cr Fry visited the Nurburgring motorsport complex in Germany and other racetracks in Europe to investigate ways the council could generate more income from the circuit. "Are there opportunities for drive days, manufacturer partnerships, advertising, films?" he said. "This is the most famous motorsport track in the Southern Hemisphere and should be used as much as possible."
