By Trevor Jackson
A REGULAR at the Legend of the Lakes hill climb, Simon Feil will again line up this year in his Subaru WRX.
It is a huge contrast to his mate Mick Argoon’s V8 Commodore, but certainly not off the pace.
The two cars are close in times up the Valley Lakes course, with Feil’s extra four-wheel-drive grip countering the extra grunt of the big V8.
But the Subaru came out of necessity, when mechanical issues with his Mitsubishi Evo caused him to run his practice car.
That has now been the norm for the past five years and with a “light” rebuild, he hopes to also drop his times.
The 2000 model Subaru certainly seems to be on the pace, with its rally-bred turbo-charged power plant a thing of legends.
Feil currently leads the SEAC series and had a recent second place in the SA state Autocross title in the car.
“It is primarily a dirt car but we have some stuff to put in it for bitumen,” Feil said.
“We did a 56 last year so I am hoping to do a similar time this year.
“It was originally an STi but we have upgraded the drive train this year.
“Last year it would spin the wheels when you lift a wheel, so we have upgraded to LSDs and a closer ratio gearbox … plus a bit more power.
“But it is pretty much STi stuff – nothing that Subaru didn’t make.”
Feil has also lined up every year since the event began, but missed many through mechanical issues with his Evo.
“I have probably only run about half of the events,” he said.
“But I love the atmosphere of the event and the location.
“It is pretty cool to have it at home.
“I have raced a lot of hill climbs around South Australia and Australia and this one tops the list.
“The track … we are in a beautiful place down here.
“We are spoilt with the cameras so you can see most of the track on the TV screens up the hill.”
It has become apparent over the years high horsepower is not the be all and end all of hill climbing.
With a circuit like the Lakes it takes a well-balanced car to return a fast time.
Feil hopes to use that to his advantage.
“Down the bottom is tight and twisty and horsepower is not going to help you,” he said.
“When you get the longer straights horsepower will definitely help, but we find a lot of the Volkswagens don’t have big horsepower, but they are super quick.”
However, on the subject of horsepower, Argoon was quick to interject.
“He won’t tell you how much horsepower he has,” he said.
“He is not far off.”
The two competitors enjoy a bit of friendly banter, which transfers onto the track and turn into competitors when it comes to racing.
Feil was quick to respond about who would claim the bragging rights.
“If he beats me he will stir me up,” he said.
Whatever the case, Feil has the equipment at hand to set a fast time up the hill and is on track to go close to his best time, should all go to plan.
