Oastler climbs to his fifth Australian title

Sunday 03 November, 2019

Photos: Captured Creations Photography Bathurst (Feature)/Tony Hanrahan

Malcolm Oastler is the 2019 CAMS Australian Hillclimb Champion after claiming what was a thrilling event marred by challenging weather conditions.

More than 140 cars have entered the 75th running of the national championship with a number of contending drivers eager to take out the title at the iconic Mount Panorama circuit in Bathurst.

However, despite a number of unique results taking place, it was the record-breaking time of Oastler’s 34.88 seconds which was the major talking as the veteran took out his fifth national title – five short of hill climb legend Peter Gumley.

Oastler wasn’t the only one to break the previous record of 36.2 seconds though, with outright runner-up Dean Amos also making history and breaking the 35-second barrier with a time of 34.90 seconds – two hundreths short of Oastler.

Remarkably, Amos held the advantage heading into the second day of action after finishing Saturday’s runs ahead of Oastler, but it didn’t take long for the five-time champion to flex his muscles and post the lead times.

Rounding out the podium was Dean Tighe, who had put in a brilliant performance himself as the Queenslander edges closer to a maiden title.

With heavy rain hitting the event in the second half of Sunday’s action, a large proportion of the drivers opted to call it a day, including the title contenders, handing Oastler the win earlier than expected.

Following on from his sensational victory, Oastler was thrilled to take out the event, run by the Bathurst Light Car Club, as well as being impressed with the competition around him.

“The victory for me was the best one ever, especially because it was at Bathurst, Oastler said.

“I may have done a rain dance at 5am but really I put it down to all the experience I have here. This is the big one because it’s Bathurst. Maybe If I live long enough, I will catch up to Peter’s record.

“A big thank you to the club and all the people involved in putting the event on. I know a year ago it was a bit of a challenge but managed to get together and enjoy this beautiful weather.

“It was great to win it by two hundredths. Its always been by about a few tenths. Brett (Hayward) got me by a few tenths in Adelaide a couple of years ago.

“There are only two people in the world who know what it’s like to drive here in under 35 seconds so congratulations to Dean Amos –he’s really young. It’s only his 12th run up here which I think is very impressive.”

With the top six all coming from the Formula Libre 2001cc & Over class, the best of the rest came through the seventh-placed Josh Hayward who led the Formula Libre 751-1300cc drivers.

Other notable results saw Datsun 260Z pilot Kevin Mackrell claiming the best of all the tin-top cars with 11th outright, Karen Inwood picking the up the best female time and Riley MacQueen ending the day as junior champion.

Click here to view the full results.