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.
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LEARN MORE ABOUT THE HISTORY OF ROB ROY HERE
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VISIT THE ROB ROY REVIVAL PAGE. OUR PREMIER HILLCLIMB EVENT HERE
What is a Hillclimb Competition ?
Hillclimbing is one of the oldest forms of motorsport, and is a test of the motor vehicle and driver up an incline, which may include turns and corners. The first recorded hillclimb took place in La Turbie, France, in 1897 and were popular at the start of the 20th century. Rob Roy is now recognised as one of the 3 oldest permanent hillclimbs in the world, the others being Prescott and Shelsley Walsh, both in the UK.
The Rob Roy track is 664 yards in length (607 metres), excluding the recent addition of a chicane which maringally increases length, and provides an opportunity to slow down the faster cars.
Hillclimbs are great for spectators, as they get to walk the pits, get close the to action on the start line, or get close at the various spectating viewing areas. There’s no closer to the action you can get in any other form of motorsport. All spectator viewing areas are approved and modern safety rails (armco) has been installed as well as seating.
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.
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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.
We are specifically encouraging EV conversions to participate, as it is just as exciting to see 1970’s VWs or 1960's minis compete against similar engineered cars ( ie based on weight, power output etc).