Tackling Rob Roy at the Vic Hillclimb Championships

Think of some of the best sections of racetracks in the world. Eau Rouge at Spa, The Corkscrew at Laguna Seca, Griffins Bend and The Cutting at Mount Panorama, Paddock Hill Bend at Brands Hatch, Beau Rivage to Casino at Monaco. All these extreme lengths of tarmac have similar attributes. They are often fast, blind and grueling with their elevation changes, whilst often being a highlight and one of the most challenging sections of the racetrack it is a part of.

That's why hillclimb tracks are a breed of their own, because more often than not, they are one continuing length of blind, twisting and a relentless piece of rising tarmac from start to finish. 

For drivers, a single run would be 30 seconds of sensory overload.​ Gripping speed and G-Force, coinciding with blind faith of where to turn in, when to lift and how far to push the limits of their machine and own abilities.

After some final pre-run checks, and hearing the next class being echoed over the loudspeaker, helmet and gloves would be put on, driver strapped in and left to themselves as they waited in line for their go up the hill. 

Drivers would slowly creep to the line, clean their tyres in a burst of acceleration and tyre smoke, then wait intently for the green light. 

With the flash of green, the determined flight up the Rob Roy Hillclimb​ would begin for those competing in the first round of this year's Victorian Hillclimb Championship.

Other than watching exciting runs put down by drivers on a winding piece of tarmac, that could've been taken from some of the worlds best racetracks, another interesting aspect of hillclimbs is the range of cars at a race meet.

From time-attack weapons, to standard road cars, to classic Jaguars, there really is no limit to what you'll find running up the hill.

And don't be surprised if you find some cars that you've never heard of before. For me those would be these race ready examples of a Mini Marcos and Isuzu Bellett.

And how more diverse can you get than an angry Ford F150, a 1934 Ford Special and a Mini Moke. The best part is, these three are regulars at the historic Rob Roy Hillclimb

Lightweight sports cars are always a popular choice at track days. There were quite a few 2-seater MG's and Mazda MX5's, but it's rare to see a Saab 95 attacking a track, and is becoming an uncommon sight on the roads too.

Plenty of hatchbacks attacked Rob Roy, representing FWD cars including some 80's Corolla's, Honda Civics and evens a duo of Proton Satria's.

With Rob Roy being one of the oldest tarmac hillclimbs in the world, watching historic cars like this Holden 48-215, classic Mini and Formula Ford made you wonder how events at Rob Roy would have been like years and years ago.

The fastest cars of the event however was the pair of this Dallara Hayabusa - which set a time of 19.68 seconds - and this Hayward, which was only a few tenths behind. Watching these cars dance up the hill was reminiscent of watching Champ Cars tackle the Surfers Paradise street circuit.

A range of interesting cars, racing up a challenging short track. That is how I would sum up an average Hillclimb event, that being a race day one that is anything but ordinary.

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