The Sporting Car Club of South Australia (SCCSA) will celebrate a special milestone this weekend when it heads to the popular Collingrove Hilclimb for its 70th birthday.
 
Having hosted hill climb events since it first in 1952, Collingrove has become a regular feature in many South Australians’ annual event calendars due to its challenging and fast nature.
 
Fittingly, a huge field of 85 will compete in the event to mark the 70th anniversary – with 10 of those competitors entered in the Come and Try Component of the day.
 
In what will be the final meeting at Collingrove for the 2022 season, the competitor list features a number of notable entries, with Frederick Greeneklee and his 1952 Cooper JAP the major showpiece.
 
One of the first Coopers made post-WW2, the car boasts a rich history of success that includes world championship titles with Sir Jack Brabham behind the wheel, as well as being the first ever South Australian state championship winning car in 1952, that also claimed the first Collingrove Hillclimb event in that same year courtesy of a time of 39.95 seconds.
 
The Cooper won’t be the only major drawcard for the event though, with four cars from the famous John Ellis collection to be in attendance, as well as Mark Goldsmith’s Ford Globe 400 are likely to be a fan favourite across the day.

From experienced campaigners such as Greeneklee and Goldsmith to 14-year-old hill climb debutant Shelby Farley, who is at the beginning of her journey, the entry list has a wide range of competitors from all walks of life.
 
Sporting Car Club of SA Event organiser Melissa Rees was excited for what is one of the most important events for the club this year.
 
“To have 85 entries entered in the celebration of this iconic hill climb is wonderful and I think it shows how Collingrove has a special place in many people’s hearts,” Rees said.
 
“Not only is the club thrilled with the number of entries we have, but the quality too. It’s fantastic to see such a strong field with a historic touch – especially with the appearance of some incredible cars such as the Globe 400 and the 1952 Cooper JAP.
 
“The SCCSA is proud to own and run the only permanent hill climb facility in South Australia and we love running events here due to its history and popularity amongst competitors.
 
“With spectator entry free for all, we would love to see people come down and celebrate this wonderful location.”
 
The action begins at 9am and will conclude at 3pm with presentations with competitions expected to get up to four runs of the course.
   
The Collingrove 70th Anniversary takes place at Collingrove Hillclimb on Sunday 20 November.