Sunday's Mount Gladstone hill climb was noteworthy for some close open and class competitions, and steadily improving times over the day as the air temperature and track warmed up. This was assisted by the organisers putting on a total of six runs despite two track incidents.
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Junior (under 18) driver Jakson Brown-Flack steadily improved his track time by 10 s over the day, recording a best of 62.65s in a Type 1-2 under 2000cc Subaru Liberty.
In the Type 1-2 AWD over 3000cc class, regular driver David Wicks had a close contest with first time contestant David Palummo. Palummo just got ahead in the last two runs and recorded a best time of 46.92s to David Wicks best of 47.45s.
With a total seven entrants, the Type 3 AWD class was the most closely contested. The fastest time was swapped backwards and forwards between Gareth Rees in his Nissan Skyline and 18-year old Nick Coote in his Subaru Impreza WRX, until the fourth run when Gareth recorded his best and the fastest time of the day of 42.28s, compared with Nick's best of 42.92s. Andreas Proesser finished a credible third with a fastest time of 43.32s.
James Graham from Forster was fastest in the Type 4 0-1600cc class in his Hyundai Excel with a best of 53.45s, ahead of Nick Besestri in a temperamental Fiat X19 with a best of 54.26s. James was not the only driver to travel a substantial distance, with David Palummo getting up very early to drive from Leppington, Daniel Pauperis from Revesby, Simon Smith from Wolumla and seven drivers coming from the ACT.
Ralph Pauperis started well in his historic MG TC Milano and recorded 54.97s for his second run. Unfortunately, the car lost a wheel on his third run and ground to a sudden halt. It seems that the damage is not too great, and Ralph said he will be back for the next Mount Gladstone hill climb on May 26.
Out of a total 25 competitors, the class winners and placegetters on the day were:
Type 1-2 0-1600cc 1st Thomas Streatfield Toyota Starlet best time 52.54s, second Emma Moss Toyota Starlet best time 56.24s.
Type 1-2 1601-2000cc 1st Anthony Barford Holden Barina best time 55.59s
Type 1-2 2001-3000cc 1st Anthony Barford Skoda Fabia VRS best time 52.70s
Type1-2 over 3000cc 1st Nick Salzke Holden Commodore best time 48.59s
Type1-2 AWD 1601-2000cc 1st Jackson Brown-Flack Subaru Liberty best time 62.65s
Type1-2 AWD over 3000cc 1st David Palummo Mitsubishi Lancer Evo10 best time 46.92s, second David Wicks Nissan Pulsar GTiR best time 47.45s.
Type 3 0 - 1600cc 1st David Haines Toyota Corolla best time 49.98s
Type 3 1601-2000cc 1st Daniel Pauperis Porsche 924 best time 52.18s
Type 3 2001-3000cc 1st Peter Frew Datsun wagon best time 48.27s
Type 3 over 3000cc 1st Matt Rowlinson Volvo 242 GT best time 51.79s, second Tony Brown Volvo 242 GT best time 52.55s
Type 3 SV 0-1600cc 1st Ralph Pauperis MG TC Milano best time 54.97s
Type 3 AWD over 3000cc 1st Gareth Rees Nissan Skyline best time 42.28s, second Nick Coote Subaru Impreza WRX best time 42.92s, third Andrea Proesser Subaru Impreza WRX best time 43.32s.
Type 4 0-1600cc 1st James Graham Hyundai Excel best time 53.45s, second Nick Besestri Fiat X19 best time 54.26s
Type 4 AWD over 3000cc 1st Alex Hendricks Subaru Impreza WRX best time 44.83s
Fastest time of the day Gareth Rees Nissan Skyline 42.28s
Fastest junior of the day Jakson Brown-Flack Subaru Liberty 62.65s.