Photos © by Richard Abey, Martin Stubbs & Darcy Dean

Despite some confusion amongst the entrant as to the location of this new event, most managed to navigate to the site, although some may have arrived by a direction different from the one they started from. The Victorian Historic Racing Registers inaugural Haunted Hills Hillclimb replaces their previous annual event which was held for many years at the old Morwell track. This new site is the result of the Gippsland Car Clubs determination to find an alternative location that could host motor sport actives for both local driver and visitors from Melbourne. Named 'Bryant Park' in recognition of GCC member, John Bryant's 30 years service to the club. This VHRR event attracted a mixed bag of cars which included several of the air cooled 500s and Austin 7s, Formula Vees and Formula Fords, Group J, K, Lb sports and racing, Clubmans and various sports car groups, sedans both historic and modified.

At the drivers briefing, Clerk of Course Ken Innes-Irons warned drivers that the tight twisting track was a test for even the most experienced competitor. To assist all new comers with the track layout, entrants completed four compulsory familiarizing laps behind the safety car, followed by three timed runs throughout the day. Despite the cold wind blowing though the pit area situated high up near the summit and a light shower, most managed to get through the day without mishap except for a couple of retirements.

Wesley Inkster, Van Diemam Formula Ford	Austin 7 group in the pit area	Nick McDonald, Birrana Formula Ford
Jim Foulis, Rennmax	Daryl Duff, Camaro smoking off the line	Geoff McInnes, Riley Special
Bob Boast, MG TC Special	Lindsay Urquhart, Sidney Rudge	Martin Stubbs, Austin 7 'Tyrrell'

 

Jim Russell, Ford V8 Special	Nigel Gray, Singer Special	Peter Gostellow, MG TC Special
John Murrell, Ford Escort RS 2000	John Marriott, Austin 7 'Athey'	Mike Hipkins, Vauxhall 30/98
Geoge Hetrel, Bugatti Type 35	Bert Bajema, Ford V8 'Monza' Special	Shane Bowden, Prad Holden

Class winners were:

Air Cooled
Lindsay Urquhart Sydney Rudge, 500cc 1: 13.68
Austin 7
John Marriott Austin 7, 803cc 1: 11.98
Clubman
Kevin Guehenneuc Nota, 1200cc 1: 04.74
Double Entries
Troy Guehenneuc Nota, 1200cc 1: 06.72
Formula Ford
Nick McDonald Birrana, 1600cc 57.23
Formula Vee
Penny Neville Elfin Vee, 1200cc 1: 08.72
Group J Sports & Racing
George Hetrel Bugatti Type 35, 1910cc 1: 19.70
Group K Racing
Jim Russell Ford V8 Special, 4400cc 1: 07.50
Group Lb Sports
Shane Bowden Prad Holden, 2262cc 1: 04.89
Group S 2001cc & Over
Daniel Sprague AMC, 6390cc 1: 11.90
Group S up to 2000cc
Colin Stark Alpine Renault, 1596cc 1: 04.48
Historic Clubman
Mike Devine Lotus 7, 1500cc 1: 03.52
Historic Group N 2001cc & Over
Ian Speight Capri, 3000cc 1: 04.06
Historic Group N up to 2000cc
Russ Mead Cortina, 1500cc 1: 05.83
Modified Sedans
John Murrell Escort RS 2000, 1998cc 59.58
Porsche Class
Ray Wood Porsche, 3200cc 1: 06.47
Road Sports
Colin Sullivan MGB, 1800cc 1: 08.79
Sedans
Ian McDonald BMW, 3000cc 1: 12.26
Sports Racing
Colin Wallace AH Sprite Special, 2250cc 1: 02.22