Gunnedah Motoring Enthusiasts vie to host CAMS NSW Hillclimb Championship

GME race secretary Geoff Hood said CAMS (Confederation of Australian Motor Sport) recently invited the club to make a submission to host a round because of its "enthusiastic club membership" and its drive to reinstate the annual Apex Drive Hill Climb as "part of Gunnedah's heritage".

"They won't make up their minds until next year but we're in with a very good chance," he said.

"In a drought time, any economic activity for a town is a bonus."

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Mr Hood said the club planned to spend $9000 upgrading equipment, with half the cost to be funded by a Gunnedah Shire Council community grant to aid the club in running the event if its submission is successful. The club last hosted the state hill climb in October 1971.

The race secretary said the GME formed as a "fledgling group of enthusiasts" in 2011 and in 2012 reinstated the Apex Drive hill climb as part of Gunnedah's annual Weeks of Speed festival.

This year, the hill climb drew 48 competitors, and an inaugural motorkhana was held at the Gunnedah Showgrounds.

Club members have been competing in state hill climb rounds this year, with president Wayne Grosser leading his vehicle class in his FPV Ford, Brock Casey improving his times in his revamped Nissan Silvia, and Gwyn Mullholland and Mr Hood recently co-driving the club's Mitsubishi Lancer.

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