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Two of the VRCBC’s finest competed in the 2022 Leavitt Machinery Knox Mountain Hill Climb. President Mike Zbarsky was a first timer with his rare 1967 Triumph 2000. In contrast, Larry Sandham’s Mini Vauxhall has lost count of how many times they have gone up that hill together! – Jim Moody photos[/caption]
Posted: May 26, 2022
After missing two years (for well known reasons), the Leavitt Machinery Knox Mountain Hill Climb was back over the May long weekend. Our intrepid roving reporter (and long time supporter) Jim Moody braved 'the wilds' of the Okanagon in order to send us this report and photos of some of the highlights. Thanks very much Jim!
The recent Victoria Day weekend saw the return of the Knox Mountain Hill Climb after the event, for the two previous years, had been cancelled. This year's event, the 63rd Okanagan Hill Climb, was held under pleasant sunny skies. The two day event saw 54 drivers challenge the road course and a large turnout of spectators enjoyed the racing action both days. VRCBC was well represented along with other vintage entries. Club president Michael Zbarsky made his first appearance at Knox. Michael's best time with his 1967 Triumph 2000 was on his final run turning a 2:30. 325.
Larry Sandham with his Mini Vauxhall turned a 2:10.729 this year for his fast time on the hill. Gayle Baird achieved a time of 2:28.382 with her Honda Civic and Erle Archer driving a Lotus S3 recorded a time of 2:14. 148 as his best. Robin Liu with the 1970 Datsun 240Z posted a best time of 2:26.098 on his final run of the weekend. Kees Nierop entered a Datsun 280Z and achieved a quick time of 2:06. 260.
Jasper Thomas, making his first appearance, arrived at Knox Mt. with his 1970 Dodge Challenger. His time of 2:14.528 on his 7th run would be his best. A long time competitor at Knox, Fred Del Pero with his 1969 Alfa Romeo GTV got his time down to 2:02.921 this year. Doug Yip with his son Trevor returned to Knox Mt. with the Tesla Cobra EV. Trevor's best time this year was 1:54.435.
The Gunner brothers, Nick and Steve made an appearance at Knox again. Nick's time of 2:13.372 beat Steve's best of 2:13.762. Richard Matte driving Steve's Porsche 944 post a best time of 2:18.080.
The FTD winner of this year's event was Mark Uhlmann racing his Stohr WF1 up the Knox course with a very quick time of 1:39.989. Mark's time was just 2.924 seconds off the record time set in 2007 by John Haftner with his Tui Super Vee.
In all, 12 drivers posted times under 2 minutes and a few more entries very close to that mark. It was a successful weekend of Hillclimb racing I think all would agree. - Jim Moody
The full results are available on the event web site (
here) and the event Facebook page
(here) has more photos and an onboard video of the fastest time of the day by Mark Uhlmann.
Check out more of Jim Moody's photos below!
He's back! It was great to see long time (and fast!) VRCBC racer Ian Thomas back on track. Here he is in his familiar 1970 BMW 2002 leading Jon Wright (1990 BMW E30), Gayle Baird (1991 Honda Civic) and Michael Hawthorne (1987 Porsche 944) at the Speed Fanatics Motorsport Circuit on Sunday, August 20th. - Brent Martin photo[/caption]
Posted: September 5, 2023
The August 19th-20th weekend saw the 'Race to Shade', the SCCBC's (CACC-sanctioned) fifth race event of the year at Speed-Fanatics Motorsport Circuit at Mission Raceway Park. As usual, the VRCBC's IWE/REVS Vintage series points races took place on the Sunday.
Thanks again to Brent Martin for his photos (see below) of the action. All of Brent’s photos of this and many other events are available on his website (here). The complete results for the weekend, including those for Vintage, are available on the SCCBC web site (here).
The VRCBC's next (and last for the season) Vintage races will be on Sunday, October 20th during the SCCBC's 'Turkey Chase' weekend. But before that, there will be the ICSCC ('Conference') race weekend at the track over the September 16th-17th weekend. There won't be any Vintage racing but there will lots of great closed and open wheel action! Check the SCCBC Schedule web page (here) for the latest info on this event.
Spectators are always welcome! See you at the track!
