VHRR Hillclimb at Rob Roy (Vic) this weekend

[Ric]

https://robroyhillclimb.com.au/upcoming.htm

Interestingly, someone is running a Subaru Forester this Sunday, not normally a quick hillclimb vehicle.
(There are three WRXs running as well)
You can see the entry list at https://evententry.motorsport.org.au/v2/events/4472

This is an historic event, so some very interesting historic cars running as well.

[Yowie]

Don't underestimate a Forester.

The people driving them are usually pretty good-looking and talented too.

[Ric]

I'll see if I can snag a photo of the driver on Sunday

It sounds like a family affair:
Jacob Wingett driving a Forester, and a "March 729" (Foz will be an XT. March is a 1972 Formula-Ford open wheeler. See here)
Abby Wingett driving an Excel, and an "Elfin Formula Junior" (See the Elfin here)
Steve Wingett driving an Excel

[Yowie]

Almost opposite ends of the mass and handling spectrum between the open-wheelers and the Forester there.

[Ric]

He went offroad halfway up the track, but still did it in 29 seconds.

foz1.jpg (104.69 KiB) Viewed 111 times

[Ric]

Run 2

foz2.jpg (123.91 KiB) Viewed 111 times

[Yowie]

That's brilliant Ric. Cheers for getting some photos.

"He went offroad halfway up the track, ...."

It's what they're built for dammit!

Foresters XTs are classic all-rounders for on-road, off-road, all-weather, motorsports AND fitting a big esky & portable BBQ in the boot. Plus you can sleep in them if you're not second-rower height.

[Ric]

The driver was Jacob Wingett.
He told me this car is his daily driver, and this is the first time he has tried a hillclimb in it.
His times were:
29.86 (offroad), 25.89, 25.88, 25.82
Very consistent times for runs 2-4, but then he has done the track in an open wheeler already.

His times in the "March 729" were: 26.78, 24.87, 26.83, 37.66
Much lighter car, but only a 1600cc normally aspirated engine.

[Yowie]

How bendy vs straight was the track?

You would think there would be a crossover point (heading towards "bendy") where a lower-powered open-wheeler would get a faster time than a tall/heavy forester.

Thanks for the extra info by the way.

I don't suppose you happen to know if Mr Wingett posts his Forester mods on the internet somewhere?

[Ric]

How bendy vs straight was the track?

The new optional chicane was not in use, so no tight corners, but turn 2 is very tricky at any sort of speed, because you have to start turning before you can see the road.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/Z6yGVcU1cweyVTh98
(AWD is always very useful for getting a good start in a hillclimb. My personal best in my 3.0RB Liberty wagon was 26.00 seconds many years ago.)

I don't suppose you happen to know if Mr Wingett posts his Forester mods on the internet somewhere?

I'll give him a link to this topic, so he might answer himself.

[Ric]

n.b. here's an in-car video of a very quick (20.43s) run 6 years ago
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zj6WzW17eto

The same driver in the same car did a 19.09 second run yesterday, a new outright track record since the 2022 track refurbishment.

A more recent vid, showing the chicane: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2jbTuo02qms
a d earlier this year, showing new traffic lights on the dam wall (from a WRX) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aVxwqVem8jk

[Ric]

Here's Jacob's response. I commented that the XT was quicker than the open wheeler until its last run.

Hey mate
Funny enough I saw the forum on the Friday when I was looking for the entry list , I tried commenting but failed
The foz is pretty basic. It’s actually my tow car and one of my daily’s. It’s got basic bolt ons and a vf52 with a standard 5 speed manual and Gt liberty rims with semi slicks
… and a quick driver .
I was having few issues with the march , the heights are all set up wrong putting more pressure on certain wheels making it quite tailey and sometimes unpredictable. I also was running outta battery causing some misfiring issues but working through it.

On second run in the march I missed third. The dog ring hewland can be tricky to get in at times but worse when it’s a cold box I got further issues with the shifter lever in that car but hopefully will be fix soon
Not making excuses but that’s the basic rundown of my outlook on the cars

Was a great weekend and some more seat time practising and improving the trade
Hopefully you enjoyed yourself as well
Cheers Jacob

[Yowie]

Cheers for putting up the videos and Jacob's comments Ric.

Looks like a great fun track and event.