Hillclimb SA has secured a major coup to its 2023 motorsport calendar with the return of the Mt Alma road Inman Valley hill climb, which will run under the new guise of the Backbone Hillclimb.
 
Having been run between 2008 and 2019, the event was a favourite amongst South Australian hill climbers due to its challenging layout and picturesque surroundings before its unexpected conclusion.
 
Following its termination, there was a burning desire amongst the community to revitalise it, which saw Hillclimb SA successfully undergo a 18-month campaign to bring it back to life.
 
The three-day event’s grand return has now been marked for May this year with Friday’s competition to be limited to just 70 Hillclimb SA members before opening up to all Motorsport Australia licenced drivers for the weekend.
 
Not only will participants be battling it out for outright honours, but there will also be a number of extra competitions taking place – most notably for those in the fastest 2WD and 4WD cars.
 
Club representative, Brendan Wegener was excited to bring back the event. 
 
“With the current enthusiasm in motorsports, Hillclimb SA were consistently working with the Ashby family to secure the return of the event and were successful in doing so,” Wegener said.
 
“We are grateful to the hard work by UME, SDCC and volunteers for this event to run successfully for 11 years and generate so much love and respect during that time and, it was an obvious opportunity to bring it back if we could.
 
“We are also extremely grateful the Ashby family, who provide access to us to the event, and the volunteers who put lots into getting this event back as they are the backbone for this great place where so many people came to race.
 
“I also have to acknowledge the support of Victor Harbor Council, and all sponsors, volunteers, competitors and spectators because without all of them, the event would not be able to run.”  
 
While the hill climb’s return will be the major talking point, a separate narrative for the event will be the action to take place on the Friday, which coincides with the ever important “Do it for Dolly Day”.
 
The day promotes the mental health charity, Dolly’s Dream, which was created by Kate and Tick Everett following the loss of 14-year-old daughter Dolly to suicide.
 
“Dolly’s Dream is committed to changing the culture of bullying by addressing the impact of bullying, anxiety, depression and youth suicide through education and direct support to young people and families,” Wegener added.
 
“With the event being run over three days and starting on  “Do it for Dolly Day”, we ask all spectators for a gold coin donation entry fee with all proceeds going to the charity in support of the cause.”
 
Competitors and spectators interested in attending the event can get more information here, or can send an email to [email protected]. 
 
The Supaservice Tyre & Auto Backbone Hillclimb takes place at the Mt Alma hill climb on 12-14 May.