ARCHIVED REPORT: 2018 Rd 8 Mantic Clutch “Huntley Hillclimb”

 

BARRY CLINCHES TITLE!

Date: 16/9/18 | Host: WSCC

Fine but cool was the forecast for the final round of the Mantic Clutch NSW Championship for 2018. It’s September 16 and the venue was Wollongong Sporting’s Huntley climb – it’s short, narrow and bumpy and you had better have packed the horsepower as it’s the steepest climb on the calendar.

Championship leader, Doug Barry (Lola T8750), after an initial sighting run was soon into stride, with a string of 21 second passes to finally top the charts with an FTD of 21.22s. A little short of the Tim Edmondson’s outright record set back in 2011.

Andrew Fraser

Standout performance of the day was provided by local VW expert Wayne Penrose (yes, it’s a VW Beetle, but not as you’d know it) with his second run of 22.78s – a new class record and good enough for second outright. Fortunately for Doug the VW’s transmission gave out and he was unable to improve on that time.

Lismore legend, Garry Ford (Historic Grp U, Escort) was next quickest on 25.28s with Neil DePau (Radical Prosport) in fourth outright ahead of Warren Bell (Datsun/Chev) 25.78s.

Michael Arts

Timothy Weston gave a neat performance in the Merc A45 ahead of Steven Brown (Evo 8). Next quickest was “Best Junior”, Riley MacQueen (Commodore), local club stalwart, Bob Bell (Creagh Twinnie) with Mick Arts (Clubman) rounding out the top ten.

Geoff Brisby (HSV) was well on his way to a new class record when he clipped the rear of the car and was forced to retire with substantial damage, fortunately after co-driver Louise Hayes (HSV) had set her time for Fastest Lady. It looked to be a fair hit and Geoff commented that at least all the safety gear worked. A sobering reminder to all of us I guess.

Jackson Chantrey

John Engish (MX5) took out 2B Prodsports, ahead of Marea and Graeme Semken in the MGF. Ron Gallagher (Toyota 86) got the jump on Barrie Coady (Celica) in 2F Prodsports.

Joshua Hayes (Fiat) was quickest in 0-1300cc Sports Sedans ahead of travellin’man Richard Ostle (Mini) while Dave Wrightson (Mini) edged out Jo Bell (Mini) in 1300-2000cc Sports Sedans.
Kelly Handley took bragging rights from husband Duncan this time in the electric car stakes.

The win cements Doug Barry as 2018 NSW Champion, to add to his trophy collection from 2017 and 2012. Doug was obviously pleased with his efforts and commented later “The standard of the Championship just keeps getting tougher, now it’s a struggle to stay ahead of the Tin Tops”

Results

Alan Barlow – NSW Hillclimb Website Editor

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