CAMS NSW Hillclimb Championship » ARCHIVED REPORT: Ringwood Hillclimb R7 2012

DOUG’S TOO GOOD AT RINGWOOD!

Date: 5/8/12 | Host Club: Newcastle MG Car Club

Mudgee’s favourite son, Doug Barry has become a short priced favourite with the bookies after a good showing at MG Newcastle’s Ringwood Park just north of Newcastle. Conditions on the day were ideal and competition was fierce with any of half a dozen drivers likely to claim the honours.

Driving his trusty (and sometimes dusty) Lola F3000, Doug soon grabbed the advantage, reeling off a couple of quick early runs to post the FTD of 28.30s, just three tenths outside Peter Gumley’s longstanding course record. He was closely shadowed by Ron Hay (Synergy Dallara) who is rapidly coming to grips with his new mount while Coffs Harbour’s Dave Morrow (Krygger Suzuki) threatened to grab the silverware on the last run (as he has done a few times before).

Malcolm Oastler officially unveiled his impressive new Dallara/Suzuki, posting a solid fourth outright before succumbing to an engine malady. Meanwhile Daryl Watt is becoming a favourite with the spectators as he explored the handling limits of the ex-Edmondson Force PC on a couple of occasions on his way to fifth outright.

Next was Maitland’s super smooth Peter Robinson (PRS Ford openwheeler) who just managed to edge out the Tin Tops of Stuart Inwood (Nissan GTR) and Matt Halpin. Matt was up to his customary trick of two wheeling the Torana round the last corner, an act which was really catching on by the end of the day. Karen Inwood (Nissan GTR) took out the fastest lady award while Keith Hammond from Newcastle was quickest junior.

Congratulations to new record holders: Bill McBride (Up to 1600cc Sports BBB Clubman), Jim Norris (Marque Sports Datsun 280Z), John Gilbert (Imp Prod Commodore), Steve Purdy (Sb Midget…the Red one this time!), Bob Wootton (Sc Lotus 7 S4), Paul Mathie (Road Reg EVO), Kendall O’Connor Unlogged Mazda RX7 and Peter Calman Unlogged RX7 Turbo.

As Doug Barry said later “it would have been good to break Peter’s record but as you could have thrown a blanket over the first four or so, I am delighted with the win”. At the presentation Doug also dedicated the win to the recently deceased MGCCQ and hillclimbing stalwart John Davies.

Alan Barlow – NSW Hillclimb Website Editor

EDITORS NOTES:

As always, a well run event, congratulations to the MGN Team. We are looking forward to a rerun of the weekend’s glorious weather for the grand final at King Edward Park at the end of September.
Club president Bryn Baverstock outlined the extensions planned for Ringwood. A DA has been approved and work will commence shortly. The extensions will enable a variety of layouts to be used and the improvements to the paddock area and the access roads will be appreciated by all.