Anyone Done The Mt Cotton Hillclimb

[jmac]

Hey all,

Managed to get myself an entry into the "Come and Try" day this Sunday at the Mt Cotton Hillclimb. I was wondering if anyone here had driven this track before and has some advice for the hillclimb newbie?

An insane mate of mine who races Escorts is going to sit in and hopefully show me a reasonable way around the place.

All comments welcome........

[jlnewton]

Might come out for a look Sunday if I can find some time. I am keen to have a go at the Mt Cotton Hillclimb as well....

[wrxkilla]

yeah sounds intresting actually not heard anything about it?

any info available anywhere?

what licensing is required etc whast the track like? still taking entries?

thanks

mick

[maccattack]

I'm pretty sure the Mt Cotton Hillclimb track is a CAMS track which means you will need a CAMS level 2 licence to run. Similarly, you would most likely have to have your car scrutineered. I think the track is actually owned and operated by the MG club.

[Duncan]

I've never driven Mt Cotton but I have done a few hillclimbs over the years.

If it is your first CAMS event there are only 2 things to know

1/ You will have huge fun

2/ Don't push too hard, hillclimbs can be very tight and if you get understeer unexpectedly there is not much time to do something about it.

[The Dan]

Brace your arse for the second last turn.....she's pretty sharp so you wanna come wide before it and power out otherwise you end up mowing the grass.

[jmac]

Hey guys thanks...

2nd last corner eh? I'll remember that.

Yeah the entries are full for this one but I think they run days fairly often. Website here: http://www.mgccq.org.au/hillclimb.htm

It is indeed a CAMS event, the cost for me was $20 entry and $20 for a one-day L1 license. The point is you get minimum 3 runs for the day. A friend reckons my car will pass scrutineering ok, basically all I'm planning to take is helmet, wrist-to-ankle clothing and driving shoes.

I've heard the track is pretty narrow, sounds intimidating but I'll take it easy at first and hopefully have a great time.

[Rob_32_VSPEC]

I've done it. I wouldn't say this track is exactly suited the power and weight of a GTR...I'm unsure wheather I entered 3rd gear apart from the back straight downhill for barely a few seconds. The track is very narrow, has very little straights and the corners are super tight. Up in the hills it is completely unforgiving...make a mistake there and it's your car vs the rock wall or gard rail. Not a good track to learn from your mistakes! Walk the track first...take time to note the scrapings and hits on the rock walls by truely experienced drivers in lightweight performance cars. The variance in topography has some makings for a great drive, yet for a GTR this track is just not big enough (which is evident in the lap records)

[chaos]

thought it would suit a GTR better handling wise...

[Rob_32_VSPEC]

It's no Bathurst.

[Oz]

yeah u got it rob that tracks has eaten more then its fair share of cars.

VERY tight track with unforgiving corners seen a few car on there lids or not come back at all from that track.

Jmac IMHO you would not be wanting to take a "road going" gtr on the Mt Cotton hill climb track its too damn small more suited to little escorts & subi ute & the like. but if ya do take here out good luck.

Don't try & go to quick the first few times out, trying to be a show boat will cost ya, get a feel for it B)

[85URK]

has any1 here ever entered the noosa hill climb event?? ive never actually been to it, but one of these years im going to go have a look. they get all the top competitors from all over australia.

Edited October 15, 2005 by 85URK

[Genesis®]

damn .. the track looks really tight from the pics... definitely no gtr-friendly....

[giant]

damn .. the track looks really tight from the pics... definitely no gtr-friendly....

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

hmmm jmac hope you didnt have to do the hill climb in the rain!!

that would have been a real eye opener.

i think if the car is setup okay with good horse power that that mount cotton hill climb is good, i managed a 46.5 there on second lap with out walking it.

i think there are a fews guys here that could give the records in there class a shake up with the right setup & enoough horespower !!

i had very little brakes and had to use the handbrake on that run down that last hill which was a bit interesting, changed the rotors in the car park after that.

it was heaps of fun but like a few of the other guys said it would definately bite you if you get it wrong.

cheers Russ

[jmac]

yeah i gave it a miss due to the pouring rain and some aaaaaah hangover "issues". :lol:

taking my only car onto a wet racetrack for the first time whilst feeling dizzy and hungover... yeah not so much of a good idea.

i think the next QR track day is the plan now. not as much armco etc to hit out there...

cheers

[Duncan]

Umm yeah if it is your first event I reckon you will find a track day a lot more fun.....hillclimbs can be really intimidating.....

[MountainRunner]

Sounds interesting. Might have to go for a look as well.

Also if its a CAMS level 2 license event I believe you need double throttle return springs and two bonnet latch mechanisms and a fire extinguisher, some stickers showing where the battery is in the car (from memory). Anyone confirm ?

[Rob_32_VSPEC]

Not needed on the 'come and try' days. Nor is a CAMS licence.

[hrd-hr30]

I've been a regular at Mt Cotton for a few years now in my heavily modified 2litre Datsun 1200 coupe, which ran low 48's (about a second away from the class record). Anyway, I bought an R32 GTR about a month ago to hillclimb and sprint, and took it to this practice day last weekend. Pouring rain, but the car was pretty good. There's a couple of tiny little pics of it from the MtCotton pratice day here.

I think GTR's are pretty well suited to the track. Mt Cotton is all about power and gearing, and the GTR has both pretty well right for the place. And they don't suffer from the understeer problems the constant awd cars it will be competing against have, so it should have a bit of an advantage in the handling stakes too. I can't wait to give those Subarus a hurry up next year in the Hillclimb Series!

I'll keep an eye out for you there jmac!

hey giant, a 46.5 is pretty damn good for only your 2nd run! What car was that in?

[giant]

I've been a regular at Mt Cotton for a few years now in my heavily modified 2litre Datsun 1200 coupe, which ran low 48's (about a second away from the class record). Anyway, I bought an R32 GTR about a month ago to hillclimb and sprint, and took it to this practice day last weekend. Pouring rain, but the car was pretty good. There's a couple of tiny little pics of it from the MtCotton pratice day here.

I think GTR's are pretty well suited to the track. Mt Cotton is all about power and gearing, and the GTR has both pretty well right for the place. And they don't suffer from the understeer problems the constant awd cars it will be competing against have, so it should have a bit of an advantage in the handling stakes too. I can't wait to give those Subarus a hurry up next year in the Hillclimb Series!

I'll keep an eye out for you there jmac!

hey giant, a 46.5 is pretty damn good for only your 2nd run! What car was that in?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

hi hr30

yeah i was really happy with it(the time), especially since car was in pretty poor shape brake & alignment wise, that was an r32 gtr at the QLD dutton rally. mindyou

the car has shitloads of power, it would be quicker now though so cant wait to go back, close ratio dog box & 6 pot ap's now!!

hope to meet up sometime, i will hopefully be at the track day on the 30th on Nov.

cheers Russell