Issue 385 (18 Feb) has a sensational piece on South Australia’s newest motorsport event, the Eden Valley Hillclimb, and mini features on Matt Selley – Ford Escort MkII, Tim Lynas - 1965 Ford Mustang, Oscar Matthews 1984 Toyota AE86, Tim Knappstien – Datsun 240Z. Images are available to be purchased from Any Given Reason.

Issue 384 (21 Jan) tells the story of Tasmania’s second annual Poatina Hillclimb tarmac rally event, and mini features on Peter Roberts and Beau Starritt – Nissan Skyline GTS-t, Warwick Hughes - Alfa Romeo Sud Ti, Kerry Luck and Adam Colgrave – Porsche 911 GT3 RS and Adrian and Sonia Hodgetts – Datsun 240Z. Images are available to be purchased from Angryman Photography.

Unique Cars magazine is available to be purchased both in-store and online.

Class A (2WD 0001>1600cc): Stephen Short, 2000 Future Racer (1:50.270)

Class B (2WD 1601>2000cc): Oscar Matthews, 1984 Toyota AE86 (1:48.077)

Class C (2WD 2001>3000cc): Tim Knappstein, 1969 Datsun 240Z (1:48.217)

Class D (2WD 3001>4500cc): Henry McLeay, 1986 Toyota Corona (1:44.439)

Class E (2WD 4501>OVER): Craig Haysman, 1981 Triumph TR8 (1:49.411)

Class F (4WD 0001>OVER): Steve Glenney, 2012 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution 10 (1:41.136)

Class H (4WD Gravel Tyres 0001>OVER): Stephen Mee, 1991 Mazda Familia GTR (2:03.045)

Images by Any Given Reason

Held on Sunday 13 December 2015 over a challenging closed-road section of Sedan Hill Road between Keyneton and Sedan, just east of the Barossa, the Eden Valley Hillclimb attracted an exciting and diverse starting field of 86 entrants.

Based on Provisional Results, Glenney clocked a blistering time of 1-minute 41.136 seconds on his fourth and final passing of the event’s technical 3.5km course. Glenney’s impressive time also gifted him a Class F (4WD 0001>OVER) win.

It wasn’t an easy win for Glenney, with Enfeld’s Henry Beasley in his 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution 9 setting a time just 6/100ths of a second slower (1-minute 41.201 seconds) than Glenney’s winning run. 25-year old Beasley gained impressive pace over the day, missing out on the win by a narrow margin on his final run.

Steve Glenney Trophy Presentation

“This was an extremely challenging hillclimb course, which makes it really rewarding to get it right,” said Glenney.

“It’s technical and its grippy surface really suits any vehicle, which makes it accessible to anyone interested in having a go.”

With the event’s competition structure permitting double entries, Glenney was able to share the Evo with its owner, Michael Flood, who lives in the Adelaide suburb of Albert Park. Flood was only a couple of seconds adrift of Glenney’s times on each of his four runs.

“Between our runs we were making small changes to the car’s set up to make it easier to drive and more predictable, which obviously paid off for us on the day,” said Glenney.

The event’s other class winners and their quickest times were:

Class A (2WD 0001>1600cc): Stephen Short, 2000 Future Racer (1:50.270)
Class B (2WD 1601>2000cc): Oscar Matthews, 1984 Toyota AE86 (1:48.077)
Class C (2WD 2001>3000cc): Tim Knappstein, 1969 Datsun 240Z (1:48.217)
Class D (2WD 3001>4500cc): Henry McLeay, 1986 Toyota Corona (1:44.439)
Class E (2WD 4501>OVER): Craig Haysman, 1981 Triumph TR8 (1:49.411)
Class F (4WD 0001>OVER): Steve Glenney, 2012 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution 10 (1:41.136)
Class H (4WD Gravel Tyres 0001>OVER): Stephen Mee, 1991 Mazda Familia GTR (2:03.045)

Click here to download Provisional Results

“Overall, we’re extremely pleased with the running of the inaugural event,” said Auto Corsa Group’s Stuart Benson.

“Feedback from competitors, spectators and local community groups involved has been really positive. Over the next 12 months we will be seeking further feedback from our customers and stakeholders to help us further refine and build on the event for 2016.”

“From our perspective, it’s great to be able to provide South Australia’s motor racing community with yet another exciting grass roots motorsport competition – which just so happens to be the longest of its type in the state.”

The event’s Provisional Results will become final at 6.30pm on Friday 18th December 2015.

**Feature image courtesy of Any Given Reason

In planning the hillclimb we have consulted Country Fire Services who are prepared to respond if required and on the day and the Women for Wheels Association of SA will be on-site throughout the event.

Women for Wheels was established in 1971, explains President Liam Meegan. “The club was formed by the founding members who are still alive today and who still attend different events. It was a band of racing drivers’ wives who formed it because back in 1971 there was no fire and rescue service trackside – there were people who knew how to use a fire extinguisher and that was it. They relied on donations and one of the donations was the Holden HQ one tonne fire truck that is still active today. It’s still going strong.”

Liam grew up around the club, quite literally. His father has been a member for 20 years and Liam attended his first events in a pram.

Women for Wheels provides fire and rescue and safety services to motorsport events predominantly in South Australia and the Northern Territory, and travel to a few events in Victoria and New South Wales. It’s a volunteer, not for profit organisation and all of the money from event services fees goes back into the organisation – all of 60+ members are volunteers. Women for Wheels provides fire and rescue services to over 160 individual race days each year including circuit racing, hillclimbs, speedway, drag racing, speed boats and off-road.

Each event is different, and the appointed fire chief for the day and Liam work with CAMS and other stakeholders to ensure that they have the appropriate crew and equipment for the event. Planning is well underway for the Eden Valley Hillclimb. “We’ll have two Toyota Hilux and four crew in each vehicle. One of those vehicles is kitted out with 12 extinguishers and the required equipment,” explains Liam.

CAMS accredited training is conducted regularly for the crews and is run by a senior member and the fire chief. “One of our deputy fire chiefs is a commander in the Metropolitan Fire Service in Adelaide, so he leads a lot of our rescue training. A lot of our members are also highly trained CFS members as well,” says Liam.

Although there are many male members, Liam is quick to point out women are very welcome. “We do still have female members – it’s called Women for Wheels – we haven’t strayed from that.”

For more information go to: http://wfwmotorsport.com

Likely to be a top contender at this year’s event, Streckeisen has chalked up an impressive array of achievements in his race-prepared GT-R, which is currently undergoing repairs. Last year he won the Willunga Hillclimb, finished third in class at the World Time Attack Challenge and finished fifth at the Legends of the Lake hillclimb in Mt Gambier. He also finished second at this year’s Mt Alma Mile.

The 46-year-old electrician, from the inner city suburb of Leabrook, now has in his sights set firmly on the Eden Valley Hillclimb on Sunday 13 December. Streckeisen was tempted to register for the all-new hillclimb event, which at 3.5km is South Australia’s longest, owing to, “The length and challenge of the course and its location in the Barossa,” he says. “I would like to thank Auto Corsa Group for organising such a great event and I really encourage others to enter or to come up and spectate on the day.”

Streckeisen says on the day, “We all want to win, but to make the top five would be rewarding and the car’s perfect combination of handling, traction and power will make it competitive on the day.” Overall he enjoys, “The challenge of competing and trying to get your best time out the car, pit talk and banter with fellow competitors.”

Auto Corsa Group co-director, Stuart Benson, said that even in the standard GT-R Streckeisen is still likely to give the field a run for its money. “His proven driving ability, combined with a car with so much out of the box power, will make Nick a competitor to watch on Sunday,” he says.

Nick Streckeisen will drive a 2009 Nissan R35 GT-R

Martin Donnon at South Australia’s own Willall Racing is Nick’s go-to man for the Nissan’s traction and transmission tuning and expert advice. Willall Racing is widely acknowledged as the world’s leading lubrication specialists for the Nissan R35 GTR.

A field of over 85 cars will assemble for the inaugural Eden Valley Hillclimb. Organisers will award trophies to the fastest run in each class as well as to the driver who clocks the fastest time of the day overall.

The event, which is the longest of its type in South Australia, will be conducted over a 3.5km closed road section of Sedan Hill Road (Stott Highway) between Keyneton and Sedan. Drivers will each get five runs of the course, with competition starting at 10.00am and finishing at around 4.00pm.

The 21-corner, well sighted and flowing all tarmac course snakes up the eastern slopes of the Mount Lofty Ranges. Drivers will campaign to achieve the fastest time in their class as well as the fastest overall time of the day.

Spectators can take in the event’s field of 87 2WD and 4WD competition cars from the start line which, on the day, is only accessible from Sedan due to event road closures.

“We’re absolutely humbled by the incredible level of support we have received for the Eden Valley Hillclimb in its first year,” says Event Director Stuart Benson of promoter, Auto Corsa Group.

“Assembled for the first event is a rich competition field of interesting and exotic sports racers, which will be driven by some of South Australia’s most impressive drivers from across a range of motorsport disciplines.”

Nick Streckeisen will drive a 2009 Nissan R35 GT-R

Drivers to watch in the event’s 4WD class is Leabrook’s Nick Streckeisen in a 2009 Nissan R35 GT-R and Team BRM boss Mark Rundle of Beverely in a 2003 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution 8. Streckeisen won last year’s Willunga Hillclimb and finished second at the 2015 Mt Alma Mile, while Rundle has displayed his car’s potential at previous Targa High Country and Targa Adelaide events and most recently finished second at this year’s Willunga Hillclimb.

Other top 4WD contenders include Enfield’s John Beasley in a 1996 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IV, who was third at this year’s Willunga Hillclimb. Daniel Smith of Sellicks Hill in a 2001 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VII will also be impressive. Smith stole the show at Willunga this year, with the fastest single run of the day, and goes into the Eden Valley Hillclimb as a clear favourite.

Daniel Smith's 2001 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VII will be a force to be reckoned with

2WD favourites include Peter Mayer of Kensington Gardens, in an ex-Jim Richards 2007 Porsche 911 GT3 RS and Balhannah-resident Chris Edmondson in a 1994 Nissan 180SX. Edmondson was the second fastest 2WD car at the 2015 Mt Alma Mile.

International drifting sensation, Nuriootpa’s Jakes Jones (aka DriftSquid) is bound to put on a show in his hand-built 1989 Nissan Sonvia, while hillclimb regular Craig Williams, of Blewitt Springs, will also impress in his South Australian-developed 2007 Ultra Performance Rotary.

Jakes Jones and his Nissan Sonvia are heading to the Eden Valley Hillclimb

Another driver looking to chalk up the fastest time of the day is three-time South Australian Rally Champion, Matt Selley from St Georges, who will be competing in a newly- constructed Group 4 specification, 2.4-litre 1979 Ford Escort MkII.

Maylor motorsport stalwart Bernie Stack will be quick in a 1971 Porsche 911 2.2 and has proven his driving ability both on the circuit and in tarmac rallies across the country.

Tarmac rally regular Tim Knappstein, who finished third outright at this year’s Classic Adelaide, will turn heads in his stunning 1969 Datsun 240Z. Knappstein, who lives in Lobethal and owns Riposte Wines, will share the car with his son Nick.

Tim Knappstein's Datsun 240Z will be sure to turn some heads

Tim Lynas' powerful and stunning 1965 Ford Mustang will be a car to watch

Guaranteed, there will be something for every motoring enthusiast at the Eden Valley Hillclimb this year. Keeping competitors, spectators and service crews fuelled through the day will be a fundraising sausage sizzle courtesy of the Sedan and Cambrai Football and Netball Club and a coffee van courtesy of local outfit Hot ‘n’ Frothy Coffee.

Motorists and local residents please note that Sedan Hill Road (Stott Highway) between Keyneton and Sedan will be closed between 7.00am and 5.00pm for the event.

The 26-year-old apprentice electrician, who grew up in the Barossa Valley, is looking forward to tackling the new event, which will be held over a 3.5km closed section of Sedan Hill Road (Stott Highway) between Keyneton and Sedan, just east of the Barossa. It is the longest event of its type in South Australia.

“I’ve wanted to compete on this hill since the day I first drove it,” says Jake who lives in Nuriootpa. “This would have to be a four or five year project in the making for me. It’s a dream come true and I hope to be competitive on the day.”

“You can’t afford to miss spectating at this event. It'll be like nothing you've seen before. Come early, get a good position and enjoy a great day of action up one of the best roads we have in South Australia.”

Jake’s nickname came about when he was younger and had long curly hair and his mates called him ‘squid’. 'DriftSquid’ was a natural progression once he became talented at drifting. “I started drifting as soon as I could afford to buy my own car. I saved for five years after I first saw the sport and became hooked. I bought my first drift car at 19 and haven't really looked back,” he says.

Carrying Jake up the event’s challenging 21-corner incline is his custom, hand-built Nissan ‘Sonvia’, which is powered by a Skyline RB27 engine making 450kW at the rear wheels. Each driver will get five runs of the course over the day, totalling 17.5km.

Jake has competed in drifting competitions all over the world in his ‘Sonvia’, including the National Drift Series (Australian Drifting Grand Prix), the State G1 Drift series (which he is currently leading), round one of the RedBull China Gymkhana Series (where he finished first), RedBull Drift Shifters and the D1NZ National Drifting Championship Series in New Zealand and a round of the D1GP in Japan.

Jake Jones' Nissan Sonia heading to the Eden Valley Hillclimb

As a side project, Jake is also building his ultimate dream car: A 2011 E92 M3 BMW.

“The ‘Sonvia’ is special in many ways but the engine is its main feature. It revs a lot more than many getting around and I drive it on the absolute limit all the time. I built the car to handle my driving style and it loves it – most of the time,” says Jake.

Whilst Jake competes in many forms of motorsport such as hillclimbs, he is currently best known for drifting, and it’s a sport he’s passionate about. “I love the experience of this car – driving something purpose built for drifting combined with the reaction I get from the crowd. The atmosphere at drift events is really like nothing else, I absolutely love putting on a show.”

With over 100,000 followers on Facebook and tens of thousands of views on YouTube, Jake is building a large following. “It’s just a really exciting sport, with so many different driving styles. There are so many ways to enter and exit each corner, which makes it even more interesting for people watching. I just think my followers enjoy what I do,” says Jake.

ABOUT THE EVENT

A field of over 70 classic and modern production based sports, rally, time attack and circuit cars will assemble for the inaugural Eden Valley Hillclimb, with competition kicking off at 10.00am. Each driver will get five runs of the 21-corner course over the day, totalling 17.5kms.

Trophies will be awarded to the fastest car in each class and to the driver who achieves the quickest run of the day.

Drivers and their cars will congregate throughout the day at the event’s start line, which is accessible from Sedan. Spectators will have the opportunity to rub shoulders with the drivers, see the cars up close and watch them off the start line.

The Eden Valley Hillclimb is facilitated through support from the Mid Murray Council and the approval of the Government of South Australia through the Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure and South Australia Police.

Motorists and local residents please note that Sedan Hill Road (Stott Highway) between Keyneton and Sedan will be closed for the purposes of the event between 7.00am and 5.00pm.

The award-winning vigneron and owner of Riposte Wines will share his early classic 1969 Datsun 240Z with his son Nick at the event – each having a drive throughout the day.

At 3.5km, the new Eden Valley Hillclimb is the longest event of its type in South Australia. The event will be held on a closed section of Sedan Hill Road (Stott Highway) between Sedan and Keyneton, just east of the Barossa.

“We’ve been driving on the same tracks for decades here in Adelaide, so it’s refreshing to have a new option in the Eden Valley Hillclimb,” says Knappstein, who started his successful Adelaide Hills wine company ten years ago.

Working with Adelaide’s own Oscar Fiorinotto of Supashock, Knappstein has employed advanced technology to optimise the handling of his classic Datsun. “The work we’ve done on the Zed’s suspension makes it ideal for competition on South Australian roads, some of which are rougher than many race circuit or hillclimb tracks.”

Pursuing his other life passion, Knappstein campaigns the Datsun as much as his demanding schedule allows. In the last three years he has won 21 tarmac rally stages and contested a number of local supersprint events. This year, he and his wife – and navigator – Dale, finished third outright at Classic Adelaide and contested Targa High Country in Victoria.

“Normal hillclimbs don’t really interest me as they’re too short, but being 3.5km Eden Valley is really akin to a short tarmac rally stage,” says Knappstein, who says he is keen to be competitive on the day but still have a good time with his son and other fellow rev heads.

The Eden Valley Hillclimb will be Nick Knappstein’s first ever road going motorsport event. Nick, who is brand manager for the family business, has only managed to pry the Datsun from his father’s grip a few times to contest some local supersprint events.

ABOUT THE CAR

Knappstein’s lightweight Datsun 240Z has a 2.9-litre engine with forged pistons and rods running on triple Mikuni carburettors.

Complementing the potent engine package is a close ratio gearbox with a triple plate clutch and a KAAZ limited slip differential.

For the event, Knappstein will add his bespoke circuit sprint aero kit to the car, which encompasses a rear wing and splitters.

Media contact:

Lydia Richards
0418 572 402
lydia@autocorsa.com.au