A DECISION has been made on the annual Legend of the Lakes hill climb, with the event set to go ahead in 2020.
It will be the 15th running of the event over the demanding Valley Lakes course, which will be moved forward a week from normal, now to run on October 30-31 and November 1.
Despite some restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, South Eastern Automobile Club organisers are optimistic about the event, with good competitor numbers expected.
“We are 100pc committed to going ahead, provided Covid doesn’t throw more stuff our way,” committee member Kevin Raedel said.
“Vic border closures will hurt us a bit – Kevin Mackrell will not be able to come if the restrictions are still in place.”
Mackrell has been a crowd favourite in his purpose-built purple V8 Datsun 260z, with three Legend titles to his name.
But despite his absence, current champion, Adelaide’s Dan Day will be back in his Subaru WRX, keen to defend his title as he chases Peter Gazzard’s record of five straight victories and seven overall.
Gazzard can rightly lay claim to the true “Legend of the Lakes”, but Day currently has four straight victories, the fastest time – 49.95sec – and is closing in fast on the overall winning record.
With little room for error around the tight course, Day has shown plenty of composure as he has continually raised the bar, with controlled, fast driving which has endeared him to the fans.
Whether the threat to his overall winning record is enough to pull Gazzard out of retirement remains to be seen, but according to organisers he would be a welcome addition to the driving list.
Raedel said even without Victorian competitors the club expected around 130 entries.
“The locals and other SA guys are keen to run,” he said.
“They have done nothing for three or four months and everyone is keen to get their cars out of sheds and do some competition.”
Spectators at the event are still up in the air, with Motorsport Australia’s return-to-race program not allowing that at this stage.
Fellow committee member Peter Lock said he was pleased with the support received from the competitors and the Mount Gambier city council.
“Council are happy to go with Motorsport Australia’s rules for spectators,” he said.
“They want events in town.
“We ran a mini survey three or four weeks back to test the response from competitors and percentage wise it was pretty good.”
Even without spectators at the event, runs up the hill will be live streamed to allow the vision to go out via the internet.
But Raedel said the most important thing was to ensure the event goes ahead in the current coronavrius climate.
“We would love to have spectators there to show off the event, but I think most important this year for the South East and Mount Gambier is to get events to happen to support businesses who need it,” he said.
“We get 85 cars out of Adelaide basically, so to get them guys to stay in accommodation, eat in restaurants, buy fuel, to go to local shops is a good boost for town.”
Lock said the event going ahead was “critical” for SEAC.
“I think it flies the flag for us, especially this year,” he said.
“Everything has been cancelled, so the easiest thing for us would have been to cancel as well.
“It has created so many headaches, but we have been able to step over each one and jump some hurdles to get it done.”
Over the years the event has attracted plenty of big names on and off the track, including flag waver Glen Dix, Irish rally sensation Frank Kelly, Jim and Steven Richards, plus world motorcycle Grand Prix legend Mick Doohan.
This year will not see such big names due to the restrictions in place around the country, but one thing is certain – the unique course location and the Limestone Coast will be in the spotlight yet again.
