The Gippsland Car Club has held its first hill climb in more than eight months on the weekend with around 40 local drivers competing in the event.

 

Taking place at the club’s popular home track at Bryant Park, the 44 competitors had the opportunity to complete eight runs of the course in the hope of posting their fastest time, but it was a Bryant Park debutant who eventually claimed the win.

 

Behind the wheel of a Mitsubishi Evo 7, Keven Stoopman completed just six tests, but ended up being the only driver to complete the course within a minute – his fifth run time of a 58.98 seconds enough to secure the victory.

 

It was a brilliant effort from the 2018 Bathurst 6 Hour Production class winner, who like many of his rival competitors, was using the event as his return to the sport.

 

“It was good fun. First time at the track as I only recently moved in around the area, but it was a very enjoyable day. It’s a great club and they did a really great job in running it,” Stoopman said.

 

“The day was a bit of a test run as it’s been a while and I only ended up doing six because I found that the plugs had fouled up and the fuel pump had died so I had to fix it.

 

“It’s always nice to see your name at the top of the time sheets. I think I had an exceptionally fast car compared to the others. I am looking forward to running there again.”

 

Finishing just over one second behind Stoopman and the only other driver to come close to breaking the minute mark was Mark Samson, while Daniel Rikken finished third place.

 

For Clerk of Course John Bryant – the event turned out to be a success – despite not having any of the club’s usual member base.

 

“It was a really nice event and I was a little surprised with the entries because most of our members come from Melbourne so it was good to see so many locals competing,” Bryant said.

 

“The only thing we were missing were open wheelers but they were having fun and that’s the main thing.

 

“Everything was perfect. Everyone was being responsible and abiding by the regulations so it was just great.”

 

The club’s next event at Bryant Park takes place on 5 December.