Hi all.
A relatively strong, gusty and cold south-westerly wind greeted hilclimbing drivers and spectators at Newcastle's picturesque hill climb track by the
ocean on the weekend.
There was some fantastic racing witnessed by beanie clad spectators across the two days, and some magnificent results for VW fans , with two local VW
powered cars heads and shoulders above their rivals.
These two cars - the Ben Durie Automotive, C and L Joinery and Mainline Smash Repairs (completing the Teralba Trifecta) 68 VW Beetle, driven by Ben
Durie and Grant Cook took out the improved production 1600-2000cc category - with Ben Durie recording the quickest time. This car, as mentioned by the
commentator, 'was flying this weekend' and the only restriction to it being even quicker appeared to be the unsuitable tyres - tyres more suited to
a hotter track, not the icy, chill-laden track as a result of the strong cold front which pushed through the night before.
Secondly, but certainly not in the shadow of the other cars, the Ben Durie, C and L Joinery and Mainline Smash Repairs VW powered Elfin, driven by
local girl Amy Myrcela turned in the best performances over the entire weekend. Amy, showed her fellow competitors how it is done, posting a time of
36.57 on Sunday, which was the fastest of all cars over the two days. To top it off, the win was the first by a female competitor in the 47 year
history of the event.
Over the years, the Ben Durie stable has affectionately called the Elfin 'the poorer cousin' to the Beetle. A comparitively heavy open wheeler,
much heavier than its open-wheeled rivals, the Elfin is the product of mostly second hand parts passed down from the beetle. It certainly epitomises
the working class ethic - make the most from what you have.
However, the hard work and expertise in putting together and tuning the Elfin and Beetle into finely-worked racing machines, is a credit to engine
builder Ben Durie and his assistant Grant Cook. Many hours are spent at the Teralba factory getting the most out of these engines and these cars.
The latest addition to the Ben Durie Automotive tools of the trade, the Dynapack⢠Hub Dyno, has certainly assisted the team in putting the icing on
the cake with respect to the performance of these cars.
Ben welcomes the opportunity to dyno-tune fellow VW owners vehicles, from street to race - see here for details:
http://shop.bendurie.com.au/product/dyno-tuning
Job well done guys! Congratulations to the Newcastle MG Car club for once again hosting a great event.
See some links to photos of cars and articles:
http://www.theherald.com.au/news/local/news/general/win-shows-she-is-a-demon-...
http://www.mgcarclub.com.au/Gallery%20Photos/KEP%202010/king_edward_park_hill...
http://www.theherald.com.au/multimedia/17042/128811/mattar-hill-climb.aspx?St...
nice write up Grant or is it Ben 
neither, it is Peter
nice to meet you peter 
im alex
Hello Alex.
I only got there Sunday, and spent the morning working at the TRUWAY GROUP stand, but I did watch Sunday afternoon, and it was great to hear those VW engines getting angry.
Without a doubt Bens car is the hottest looking & best sounding hillclimb VW I've ever seen, it's always been my favourite. Nice guy too. The
two tone paint & old school 15 inch bathurst globes are timeless.
Although Colins black Superbug is a very close second, but I'm biased as it's a Superbug.
regards
Jak