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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!
Vintage means Variety! Don Benson ('74 Porsche RS), Larry Sandham ('85 Mini Vauxhall), Kees Nierop ('72 Datsun 280Z), Brett Payne ('72 Porsche 911 RSR), Robin Liu ('70 Datsun 240Z), Ian Wood ('69 Volvo 124S), John McCoy ('69 Ford Escort TC), Peter Strachan ('72 Datsun 510), Gayle Baird ('91 Honda Civic), Gunther Ruppel ('60 Austin Healey 'Bugeye' Sprite), and Fred Semple ( Mazda Miata) charge around Turn One.- Gerry Frechette photo[/caption]
Posted: October 19, 2022
That was quick! The race season is already over! The final CACC-sanctioned SCCBC race event of 2022 was held over the October 8th-9th weekend at the Speed-Fanatics Motorsport Circuit at Mission Raceway Park. The weather was perfect and there was a lot of competitive racing. It was an excellent wrap up for the season.
The full results for the weekend are posted on the SCCBC website (here).
Unfortunately, our long time photo-journalist (and overall great supporter of the VRCBC), Brent Martin (website) was unable to attend this weekend for health reasons. Two other good friends of the Club, Gerry Frechette and Sue Phypers stepped into the breach on very short notice to take photos of the action. (Thanks guys.) A few of these are posted below. You can find all of their photos of the Vintage action, plus those of their many other motoring-related activities on Gerry's website.
It's probably OK to take a few days off but then be sure to get right back to preparing your Vintage racing car. The first race of the 2023 season will be here before you know it! See you at the track!
A 'Big Datsun Train"! 1983 Sebring winner Kees Nierop ('72 Datsun 280Z) leads Pat Hall ('72 Datsun 240Z) and Robin Liu ('70 Datsun 240Z) into Turn 1 during their battle at the August 27th Vintage races.[/caption]
Posted: September 1, 2022
The fifth races of the 2022 VRCBC’s Vintage racing season took place on Sunday, August 27th at the Speed-Fanatics Motorsport Circuit at Mission Raceway Park. This was also the sixth event of the VRCBC’s IWE-REVS points series for 2022.
Our Vintage races were just one part of a full weekend of road racing organized by the Sports Car Club of BC (
'Vintage means Variety!' Peter Strachan (1972 Datsun 510), Ivan Lessner (1958 Austin Healey 100-6), Robin Liu (1970 Datsun 240Z) and Gunther Ruppel ( (1960 Austin Healey ‘Bugeye’ Sprite)[/caption]
Posted: July 25, 2022
The fourth races of the 2022 VRCBC’s Vintage racing season took place on Sunday, July 17th at the Speed-Fanatics Motorsport Circuit at Mission Raceway Park. This was also the fourth event of the VRCBC’s IWE-REVS points series for 2022.
Our Vintage races were just one part of a full weekend of road racing organized by the Sports Car Club of BC (
Just another of the titanic struggles so typical of Vintage racing as Ryan O'Connor (1985 Camaro) tries to hold off John Elliott (1969 MGB) between Turns 3 and 4 ....... or maybe not. - Brent Martin photo[/caption]
Posted: June 14, 2022
The third races of the 2022 VRCBC’s Vintage racing season took place on Sunday, June 12th at the Speed-Fanatics Motorsport Circuit at Mission Raceway Park. This was the third event of the VRCBC’s very own IWE-REVS points series for 2022.
The Vintage races were just part of a full weekend of road racing organized by the Sports Car Club of BC (