Group B Audi brings Pikes Peak heritage to world’s longest hillclimb event

A modern-day recreation of the World Rally Championship and Pikes Peak-winning Audi Sport Quattro S1 Group B rally car is set to thrill onlookers at this year’s inaugural Mount Hotham Alpine Cup International Hillclimb from November 14-15.

The 1981 replica four-wheel-drive Audi, built by Auckland rally driver Andrew Hawkeswood and later sold to Tasmanian-born businessman David Thompson, will be driven by its new owner race mechanic Stewart Reid.

The 56-year old former Holden stunt driver and ARC competitor from Queensland is at home behind the wheel of the of the 500 horsepower pocket rocket, having driven it at a number of other circuit and rally events including Coates Rally Queensland in 2013 and the World Time Attack in 2014.

“I am really looking forward to re-discovering the car on the long and technical Great Alpine Road to Mount Hotham,” said Reid. “I really enjoy visiting Victoria and I am really looking forward to getting out there and clocking a competitive time on the world’s longest hillclimb course.”

“To have the opportunity to participate in this exciting new hillclimb event is particularly exciting given the Audi’s hillclimb pedigree.”

No one is likely to miss the Audi as it passes by. Its unique high-pitched 5-cylinder engine, teamed with a Modena gearbox and differentials, will be heard for miles as it makes its way around the 241 corners that make up the event’s challenging 29km all tarmac course.

news-stewart-reid 1Auto Corsa Group co-director, Stuart Benson, is looking forward to seeing the Audi off the start line in Harrietville.

“This is one of those cars that perfectly epitomises the exhilaration of motorsport,” said Benson. “In fact, there are very few cars active in Australian motorsport today that command the attention that this Audi does and the technical revolution it represents.

“It’s unique engine sound coupled with its stunning classic exterior and Stewart’s proven driving ability will ensure an exciting display for spectators and officials alike.”

ABOUT THE CAR

The original Audi Quattro made its motorsport debut in 1980. The following year, Michèle Mouton became the first female driver to win a world championship rally, driving an Audi Quattro.

The Group B racer changed the face of rallying being the first car to adopt four-wheel drive into a performance car for rallying.

news-stewart-reid-3The Audi Sport Quattro S1 was developed for Group B rallying in 1984. Racing great Walter Röhrl drove it to a win at the 1985 Rallye San Remo and at the Pikes Peak hillclimb event two years later.

Former WRC champion Ari Vatenen also drove Reid’s Hotham-bound Audi replica at the Australian WRC round at National Capital Rally in 2014 when it was still owned by Thompson.

ABOUT THE EVENT

The Mount Hotham Alpine Cup International Hillclimb is the world’s longest hillclimb event, surpassing Pikes Peak by 10km.

Each driver will make the 29km climb from the picturesque mountain village of Harrietville to the pinnacle of Mount Hotham, six times over the two days.

The inaugural hillclimb event will run concurrently with the Hotham Auto Corsa Alpine Tarmac Rally; Australia’s first all-new major, closed road tarmac rally in five years.

Promoter, Auto Corsa Group, has signed a three-year deal with the Mount Hotham Alpine Resort Management Board to deliver the two events.

Early Bird entries close on 15 June 2015.

For more information contact:

Stuart Benson
+61 (0) 412 868 979
stuart@autocorsa.com.au

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