Famous Rob Roy hillclimb goes electric only

09/14/2024 06:00 PM

More than 50 electric cars are expected to compete in one of the first officially-sanctioned electric-only motor racing events in Australia at Rob Roy, Victoria, this October.

More than two years in the making, organisers from the MG Car Club of Victoria, Tesla Owners Club of Australia and the Australian Electric Vehicle Association will host an electric-only version of the Rob Roy hillclimb at Christmas Hills, Victoria on 27 October 2024.

While there are other electric vehicle-only events – such the 'EV Challenge' held in Perth, Western Australia, as a STEM education opportunity – the Rob Roy hillclimb is designed to encourage road-going electric car participation.

In doing so, the first-of-its-kind event is intended to help break down barriers and misconceptions surrounding electric vehicles, says event organiser Rhys Timms.

“We're trying to attract people who have bought a BYD or an MG [electric vehicle] or whatever, to come along and have a play in a controlled environment,” Timms told Drive.

It will be the first electric-only event fully sanctioned by the sport's governing body – Motorsport Australia – with vehicles able to run in road-going trim without roll cages and significant upgrades.

“In doing this, we’re making it a lot easier, in that sense, to get new people to come along to the venue,” Timms added.

Enabling this meant shortening the recently resurfaced 695-metre course, with the electric cars using a chicane to also allow more run-off and braking space – Timms explaining the 1930s circuit was designed for cars much slower than today's vehicles, petrol, electric or otherwise.

The chosen electric-car layout also means there's no chance of a new course record – with a Volkswagen electric vehicle holding the outright record at the world's most famous hillclimb, Pikes Peak in the USA – the local event run as a 'regularity' competition, meaning drivers are scored on consistent times instead of outright speed.

The thinking there is to reduce risk with many unknowns ahead of the event – and the potential spotlight shone on any issues, given its novelty.

Motorsport Australia included provisions for electric vehicle competition in its regulations for the first time in 2022, but the October 2024 event has had to develop the early rules further for the first event of its kind.

“We approached Motorsport Australia about two years ago about this event. They were very supportive at the time, and we explained what the challenges were, and they said, well, talk to us – they've helped a lot,” Timms said.

“Because an event like this hasn’t been run, there’s not many procedures set out or documented.

“They set out what the rules are, but no one’s actually written the plan – so the EV [electric vehicle] safety plan didn't exist – so we said, alright, well, let’s write the template for everyone.”

The Rob Roy venue is steeped in history as Australia's first dedicated hillclimb venue – its previous winner list including triple Formula One world champion Sir Jack Brabham – but the decision to host an electric-only competition sees it looking to the future.

“We've noticed that the previous models – MGB, T-series, the TC, TD – they’ve dropped significantly in terms of participation,” Timms said.

“The [electric only] strategy is that, in 10 years' time, what’s the club scene going to look like? What’s our club going to look like?

“Where is that membership going to come from? We have to be accepting of electric vehicles and have a [club] register that caters for electric vehicles.”

The MG Car Club of Victoria hosted an electric vehicle club motorsport information night in conjunction with Motorsport Australia – focusing on training and development modules – in May 2024.

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