HOMETOWN WIN FOR GUMLEY!

Date: 28/5/06 | Host Club: Wollongong Sporting Car Club

The ever enthusiastic Wollongong Sporting Car Club’s Jack Wortmeyer Memorial Hillclimb was held on 28 May at the steep and sometime deceptive Huntley Hill. Peter Gumley as expected, collected FTD and outright Formula Libre class with a run of 20.51s.  Next was Steve Hooker in the Jedi Suzuki at 21.84s, taking out the F/L 751-1300cc class.

Local driver Jason Micallef (Elise) claimed third outright and setting a new record for the Closed Sports over 1600cc class with a very creditable 24.16s. Bruce Duckworth (Skyline) was fourth outright (25.06s) setting a new record for Late Model Improved class edging out James Tsaoucis (25.32s).

Garry Ford (Escort S/S) was quickest sports sedan on 25.40s ahead of Warren Creagh (Twinnie) on 25.46s. Geoff Lord was having his first run in the Axtell Suzuki  and despite some gearbox woes which meant using 1st gear only.  He still managed eighth outright and 26.37s.  The high spot of the day for me was the howl of a Suzuki at 14000 rpm echoing across the escarpment.

Greg Jones (Dentor) slotted into ninth outright (26.87s) with Craig Torrens (VW Beetle) again quickest Imp Prod 1601-2000cc 26.95s for another new record. New records also to Chris Petersen (Datsun 1200 – Improved Prod 0-1600cc, 29.09s) and Maroons Fan Donn Vidler (Cooper S – S/S up to 1300cc) 29.55s.

There was no shortage of excitement on and off the track and as mentioned elsewhere, Graeme Syphers had an unscheduled ride to Wollongong Hospital .  We all wish him well with the recovery.

Jon Bown and Denis Russell both had a spot of bad luck by visiting the shrubbery, fortunately without personal injury and we hope not too much damage to the wallet.

Alan Barlow – NSW Hillclimb Website Editor

PHOTO GALLERY:

Courtesy ebarlowphotos.com

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