The fourth and final national Speed and Auto Test Championship for 2022 gets underway this weekend with the MG Car Club of Queensland to host the Motorsport Australia Hill Climb Championship.

Taking place at the ever-popular Mount Cotton, a healthy entry list of 87 drivers will get up to seven runs of the course over two days in a bid to secure the national title.

While there is a strong field entered in the event, there are a select few drivers who will consider themselves as genuine contenders for the event with Dean Amos amongst the top of the list.

Behind the wheel of his Gould GR55B, Amos has enjoyed a solid run of form over the past few years with a number of state championship victories under his belt.

His biggest rival comes in the form of Dean Tighe, yet Amos still has a slight edge over him after beating the Queenslander on multiple occasions at Mount Cotton as of late.

Tighe will have a newfound confidence ahead of the hill climb though, after winning the Motorsport Australia Supersprint Championship earlier this month – adding extra spice to their battle.

There are plenty of other drivers capable of a win, including Warwick Hutchinson, Greg Ackland, Stanley Pobjoy, David Mahon and Dave Morrow - the five all behind the wheel of the powerful Formula Libres.

 Although the open wheelers will be towards the top of the time sheets, a few individuals running tin tops should be considered as dark horses - most notably Warren Bell, who is sharing his Time Attack Open 2WD Datsun Stanza with Robert Bell.

Brenton Byfield in the Time Attack - Open 4WD Subaru WRX is also one who could throw a spanner in the works.

Click here to view the entry list.

Adding to the spectacle that will be a multi-car battle royale for top honours is the forecast of rain, which will undoubtedly have an effect on the overall result.

Event Secretary Annette Truscott believed it was going to be an entertaining event for all.

“It’s all very exciting and there is quite a buzz in the town ahead of this event,” Truscott said.

“I think the field is one of the strongest it has been for a long time now and there is no telling who will be crowned as champion for 2022.

“Of course, the two Deans are likely to be challenging for the championship and with Dean Tighe winning the Supersprint Championship, it will be interesting to see how he goes in the empire on the hill to make it two Australian Championships for the year

“However with that said, there is rain forecast for every day and it’s changing all the time so anything can happen, which makes it very exciting.

“The event will also be running the Australian Junior Hill Climb Championship for the first time, which we hope will bring in many junior drivers in the future.”

Official practice begins today with completion to be held over the course of Saturday and Sunday with the podium to run on Sunday afternoon.

Fans are welcome to attend the event, with tickets available at the gate.
 
Click here for more information on the event.

The 76th Motorsport Australia Hill Climb Championship will be run at the Mount Cotton Hill Climb on 22-23 October 2022.