This weekend, the Historic Rob Roy Hillclimb will become a dedicated EV event. The Rob Roy All Electric Hillclimb & EV Carshow is on this Sunday, 27th October 2024. The event takes place at 375 Clintons Road, Smiths Gully VIC 3760 [Map Link] and will run 10 am to 3 pm.
Participants will be sporting EVs from Tesla, MG, BYD, KIA, Polestar, and custom EV conversions. The All-Electric Vehicle Hillclimb promises an exhilarating day of competition, highlighting the performance and capabilities of electric vehicles in a challenging hillclimb setting.
The track is short and sharp at around 0.7km long, offering a challenging set of corners and underwent serious upgrades in 2023 which you can read more about here.
Spectators will have the unique opportunity to witness these cutting-edge vehicles tackle the iconic and legendary Rob Roy track. Proceeds of the event will go towards sustainability initiatives at this historic venue.
“We are excited to host this pioneering event at Rob Roy Hillclimb. This hillclimb not only celebrates the innovation and progress in electric vehicle technology but also underscores our commitment to sustainable and eco-friendly motorsport.”
Rhys Timms, Event Organiser.
Entering the event will cost you A$150 for a timed event, or those looking for a more fun approach to this, can come and try for the same A$150, but your run(s) will not be timed.
If you take a look at the RobRoyHillclimb website, you’ll find a list of the nearest shops and petrol (they need to update this to include chargers). Thankfully we’ve done the work for you to find the nearest charging options, if you are considering entering.
Charging options
What is Rob Roy ?
Rob Roy is located in Smiths Gully, Victoria. A motorsport hillclimb track with historical importance it’s only 49 kilometres from the Melbourne CBD on the edge of the Yarra Valley.
Rob Roy was constructed by early motorsport pioneers in Melbourne in the 1930’s. Rob Roy ran for many years with successful drivers such as triple world F1 champion Jack Brabham, Norm Beechy, Bob Jane regularly competing until bushfires in the 60’s rendered the track unusable.
The enthusiastic MG Car Club Victoria revived the track in the 90’s after the demise of another local venue, the Templestowe Hillclimb. Rob Roy has been improved over the years, with the support of the volunteer labour of MG club members and various fundraising efforts. In 2022, a government granted funded half of the works for a major restoration including the complete resurfacing of the track and internal roads as well as improvement in spectator amenities.
Why run an EV Hillclimb ?
Simply put, we have to start somewhere to get EVs competing. Overseas there’s already motorsport competitions designed for circuit, hillclimbs and off road racing. In Australia we are a smaller population with less EVs and less opportunities.
There are now many sporting versions of EVs ( ie Tesla Model 3 performance, MG4 X-Power etc…) and this gives owners an opportunity to utilise the capabilities of the vehicle off public roads in a controlled environment.
Rob Roy lends itself as an ideal venue to run an EV event. The short length of the Rob Roy track allows spirited competition. With only one car on the track at any time there will be no impediments ( ie slow cars, …) so the conditions are consistent with no chance of getting stuck in traffic.
What will the all EV Hillclimb look like ?
We intended to run classes containing vehicles of similar weight, power, and motors so everyone competes against similarly spec cars. Once vehicle entries are accepted the organisers will be able to create classes based on the number of entries.
What do I need to compete ?
Entering the event will cost you A$150 for a timed event, or those looking for a more fun approach to this, can come and try for the same A$150, but your run(s) will not be timed.
There’s a number of supporting documents for the event:
These requirements have been summarised below.
- 1. You need to be a member of a Motorsport Australia (MA) affiliated club ( ie Tesla Owners Club, Aust EV Owners, MG Car Club etc…)
- 2. Helmet that complies with current MA rules, ie no 1930’s heritage helmets that look cool.
- 3. Motorsport Australia Speed License.
- 4. Wrist to Ankle cotton/wool clothing – you do not need a race suit, but you do need non flammable clothing.
- 5. Fire Extinguisher – refer to MA rules, 2kg extinguisher which the driver can access, mounted securely.
- 6. Stickers – refer MA rules – Race numbers will be available on the day.
- 7. Your vehicle will be scrutineered for safety, unroadworthy cars will not be accepted, ie bald tyres, knocking suspension, brake pedal goes to the floor, steering play etc.
- 8. You do not need a log book.
- 9. Any modern vehicles are not permitted to have modifications from stock, unless logbooked.
- 10. Classic EV Restorations are required to be road registered.
- 11. Unregistered EV’s, will be assessed on a case by case basis, it is unlikely that a home built EV with no certification will be allowed to run, however if an EV possess certification and is not registered it will be considered.