By Margaret Maccoll
The Summer Hill Challenge was held last weekend with 130 drivers and, because of Covid-19, no spectators but the restricted audience did little to reduce the enthusiasm and competitive spirit of drivers at Gyndier Drive, Tewantin.
The Noosa Beach Classic Car Club event brought together an eclectic mix of cars, including a contingent of muscle cars sponsored by Shannons Muscle Cab Group, to race the 1.5km course. Known for their characteristic roar and style the muscle car group comprises US and Australian V8s from 1963-73. “It’s a fun category for V8 touring cars,“ said driver Phil Ross, a Shannon’s business development officer, who came to race his 1964 Mustang (car 937). Phil purchased the car in the US and brought it to Australia about three years ago. After about 55 years racing the Mustang has had a few engine modifications but not one smashed panel.
One of the smallest cars at the meet had to be Alwyn Bishop’s Aussie race car. A support car for V8s the quaint car with a 1300 motor bike engine finished the course in 65 seconds.
Another standout car was the one-of-its-kind car in Australia, Frazer Nash Le Mans replica, brought to the hill climb by Dr Chris Stafford. The aeronautical engineer got the car from a friend in Sydney about two years ago and has been a long time motoring enthusiast.
Ken Nothdurft swapped rallying for the sprint after making a few changes to his Holden. Having raised money for Endeavour Foundation and the Australian Kidney Foundation Ken competed in several rallies, winning the 1996 round Australia rally while raising funds for charity.
Last year’s winner at the Noosa hill climb and this year’s favourite was young driver Michael Von Rappard. The 25-year-old from Airlie Beach travelled to the race from Airlie Beach with his father and fellow racer Harold. Michael completed the course in a personal best time of 49 second.
Also recording a personal best last weekend was Shane Murphy who beat his 65 second record with a 64.3 seconds in his 1968 Lotus 7.
A long time motoring enthusiast Shane bought his Lotus about 15 years ago from a “guy in Melbourne who looked after it“ and has kept it in near original condition. Having been to the Noosa hill climb about half a dozen times it’s the never-ending challenge to beat the clock and the good-natured competition from drivers that fuels the attraction.
For John Anderson and his son Shane spending time together and sharing their love of motor racing. Having been a race car driver in the UK in his younger days 80-year-old John took to the road last weekend in his 1954 Austin Healey while Shane drove their 1930s Triumph.
“It doesn’t get any better than spending a weekend in Noosa and getting to hang out with dad for a weekend,“ Shane said.
