THE 14th edition of the Legend of the Lakes Hill Climb has been recognised as last year’s premier motorsport event in South Australia.
Mount Gambier’s iconic hill climb was judged 2019 State event of the year at the Motorsport Australia state awards held in Adelaide on Saturday night.
The achievement came as a shock to South Eastern Automobile Club members – who have run the successful event since its inception – as they were unaware of their nomination.
“It was a total surprise to us – somebody must have nominated us,” SEAC life member and past president Peter Lock said.
The popular Adelaide 500 is not included in the awards as a government sponsored event, but that still left some stiff competition for the annual bragging rights.
“It is up against things like the multi-million dollar complex at The Bend – everything they run there came in the same category,” Lock said.
“We were pretty surprised we even got a foot in the door.”
SEAC life member, past president and current race director Kevin Raedel attended the presentation night and accepted the award on behalf of the club.
He said it was a “proud moment” and while the award is purely for the 2019 edition of the hill climb, it serves as recognition for years of hard work and dedication.
“It is an award for last year’s event, but it has come a long way to get to where it has,” Raedel said.
That includes the efforts of the late Lionel Stingers, who was the visionary behind the event and worked tirelessly to get it off the ground.
“It took him (Stingers) seven years from inception to actually running the event,” Lock said.
“He had to jump through all the hoops people put in front of him, but he wouldn’t take no for an answer.”
Eventually the hill climb was approved to run at the Valley Lakes venue and Stingers served as race director for its first nine years, until his passing in 2014.
“Lots of other people obviously helped get it off the ground, but he was the main driving force – he just didn’t give up,” Raedel said.
Since its inception the Legend of the Lakes Hill Climb has flourished into the event of the year for many Australian motorsport enthusiasts.
“We have a number now who have been to every one – they were here for the first one and they come every time,” Lock said.
“They book 12 months ahead for accommodation.
“That is a big thing considering it is not a round of a national title or anything – it actually comes in the category of a fun event.”
However, competitors from far and wide are prepared to travel the distance for the annual run up the volcanic crater.
Both Lock and Raedel said the location itself can be greatly credited to bringing drivers back each year, but the smooth running of the event thanks to countless hours from dedicated volunteers is also a factor.
As for the event itself, only three people have stamped their names on the outright honours over its 14-year history.
Peter Gazzard holds an unbeaten seven titles – which included five in a row – while the most recent success has been Dan Day, who will chase his fifth consecutive victory later this year.
Kevin Mackrell has also had his time in the limelight with three wins and has had some tight battles with both Gazzard and Day over the years.
The Legend of the Lakes has already left a lasting legacy on the Blue Lake city and with no sign of slowing down any time soon, the recognition from Motorsport Australia is sure to only fuel the enthusiasm for the event.
“We are pretty proud of it, but we want to acknowledge the help we have had,” Lock said.
That includes the support of volunteers, sponsors and of course the competitors who put on a show every year.
“The biggest thing is to thank City of Mount Gambier and our major sponsors – without them it is impossible to do,” Raedel said.
“And we wouldn’t have even gotten to this stage without Lionel Stingers’ foresight years ago to keep pushing it.”
This year’s Legend of the Lakes Hill Climb will be held over the weekend of October 30 to November 1.
