Now into its 86th year, the Mount Tarrengower Historic Hill Climb was run and won a couple of weeks ago. The steep and winding, Armco barrier-lined public road circuit is located just outside Maldon in mid-northern Victoria and stretches for just over 2km. Promoted by the Historic Motorcycle Racing Association of Victoria, Australia’s oldest hill climb event saw 24 pre-1972 solos and nine outfits race up the mountain, all vying for this year’s Tarrengower honours.
Perennial favourite Mike Panayi was again crowned King of the Mountain, spearing his super-quick 1961 Norton Atlas to the fastest two- and three-wheeled time for the weekend with a 43.7s run. Both Mike and the second place-getter Stacey Heaney, riding a modified 1972 Yamaha XS, consistently recorded times that were within half a second of the Mopar-powered, dedicated race car that eventually won the event. The husband and wife team of Craig Longhurst and Nina Eikenberg won the three-wheeler category in their maiden hill climb event aboard a 1970 Payne/Tranzac Honda, while father and son team of Geoff and Zane Dodds came second on their beautifully presented 1960 Triumph Thunderbird.
Mike Panayi was unstoppable on his 1961 Norton Atlas
Graham McDonald won the oldest competing bike on his beautifully restored 1932 twin-port Rudge, and Eric Salmon rode the youngest machine on the day – a 1972 Drixton 500 Honda.
Four red plate registered motorcycle entrants also made it to the weekend and vowed to return next year. For more details on the Mount Tarrengower Historic Hill Climb contact Scott Innis on (03) 5442 9010.
Colin Rosewarne
