Gunnedah Motoring Enthusiasts (GME) are in for an interesting year ahead, with local motorsport venues having track modifications, and new cars of different types about to hit the various tracks, at Bluevale Speedway, Gunnedah Aerodrome Drags and the hill climb.

This year’s March Gunnedah annual  Weeks of Speed Festival has motorsport events at all these revamped venues. 

Sunday, March 26 is the date of HE Silos GME Mount Porcupine Hill Climb, marking 49 years since the inaugural event along Apex Drive in 1968.

Some Gunnedah competitors have also registered for the NSW State Championship series conducted over eight venues across NSW. The first two rounds in early March at Bathurst’s Mount Panorama – mountain straight on Saturday, and on Sunday a second course ascending the dipper and esses in in reverse direction.

Gunnedah’s March 26 hill climb is a club event and is expected to be fully subscribed with visitors and locals for the field of 50 competitor vehicles. Entries are now open following a permit being granted by the Confederation of Australian Motorsport. Locals are encouraged to enter by sending enquiry to gme2380@gmail.com

Early competitor interest has been received already from a hard-charging Queenslander John Gilbert in his powerful V8 Commodore.

This year, in a Gunnedah-first, an EV (electric Vehicle) category has been added. Entered in this division is Phil Pratt of the ACT who intends to enter a modified group 2 sports car – a battery powered race car with the power to weight ratio of a 1200-horsepower Commodore.

Phil no stranger to Gunnedah having competed at the former memorial pool street cart circuit in a four-engine machine at many times the urban speed limit.

Safety is to be enhanced at Apex Drive this year as GME will install extra double rail guardrail at the entrance to the hairpin. The raw materials are being sourced through a sporting grant from Gunnedah Shire Council, this will also allow more entries of low and open-wheel vehicles.

A working bee is scheduled for Saturday, February 25 at 7am to complete the installation. Helpers and new members are also invited to the February GME monthly general meeting to be held at the Gunnedah Golf Club, boardroom, 7.30pm Wednesday, February 15. 

For further hill climb or GME club enquiries contact Geoff on 0427 421 503.