Event Updates - Round 5 Review

Round 5 of the Trydel EZIUP and GO Victorian Hill Climb Championship continued on the 29^th of of June with the Victorian Mini Club hosting the championship at the historic Rob Roy venue. The Mini Club chose to run the standard Rob Roy course, which led to some very fast speeds at the speed trap at the top of the hill.

The weather was typical of a Victorian winter, with a cold day and rain forecast during the day, making the event almost identical to Round 5 in 2024. 69 competitors braved the weather, with competitors getting 3 dry runs before the grey clouds opened and with only a handful of competitors taking up the option of a 4^th run, the event was washed out in the early afternoon.

With Dean Tighe making the trip down from Queensland to continue his campaign and reigning champion Mike Barker on his home turf, the scene was set for serious outright honours. In the end it was Mike Barker on top in his Hayward 06 with a 19.51 on his 3^rd run with Dean Tighe setting a 20.62 in his Dallara Judd F395 on his 3^rd run, and Brenton Byfield rounding out the podium in 3^rdwith a 22.80 in his Subaru WRX wagon. 4^th place was David Harris in his Subaru WRX with a 22.85 and Jordan James returned to the Championship in his Mitsubishi Evo Lancer with a best time of 23.02, which was good enough for 5^th outright.

Given the weather conditions, it’s no surprise that the Tin Top battle was dominated by all wheel drive vehicles, with Brenton Byfield in his Time Attack Subaru WRX wagon on top with a 22.80, David Harris 2^nd in his Subaru WRX with a 22.85 and Jordan James 3^rd in his Mitsubishi Evo with a 23.02. Tom Kenworthy was 4^th fastest in his Mercedes AMG A45 with a 23.13 and Derrick White rounded out the top 5 with a 23.37 in his Subaru Liberty.

Christine Crombie was once again, the fastest female with a best time of 25.80 in her BMW 135i, which was quick enough for 3^rd in class and 26^th outright. Fastest across the speed trap was Mike Barker, with an extremely fast 174kph recorded on his 2^nd run. 

In the Class Battles:

• Sports Cars Open/Closed 2001cc to 3000cc was a hotly contested contest in old Datsun’s with Michael Hill (25.68, Datsun 240Z) pipping Casey Pilcher (25.75, Datsun 260Z) by 0.07 seconds

• Steve Grinstead (26.12, VL Commodore) led home James Crichton (26.18, Datsun 1600) and Frank Penrose (26.55, Datsun 180b) in Sports Sedans 2WD 2001cc and over

• Improved Production 4WD was won by Tom Kenworthy (23.13, Mercedes AMG A45), followed by Derrick White (23.37, Subaru Liberty) and Gerardo Rabbi (23.49, Subaru WRX) – All separated by 0.36 seconds.

As always, Jojo from Seven70 Photography was present to ensure the event was captured with high quality photography. See the links below for his photos.

• Top 10 cars

• All cars

The final round of the 2025 Victorian Hill Climb Championship will be hosted by Ararat Car Club at the incredibly fast One Tree Hill at Ararat on the 9^th and 10^th of August. Entries will open soon.