Motor Bittersweet celebration for 10th anniversary Legend of the Lakes Hill Climb Tributes are flowing for the visionary behind the Trident Tyre Centre Legend of the Lakes Hillclimb in the lead-up to next weekend’s 10th Anniversary event. Lionel Stingers was heavily involved in the running of the unique car race on Mount Gambier’s popular Valley Lakes tourist route until he passed away in May 2014 after a short battle with cancer. Mr Stingers’ son, Sean, says his father had long-believed that the volcanic precinct was the perfect venue for the high-speed event, but it took several years of convincing to get the first race up and running in 2006. “Just how much work had to be done
to get the actual event running was extraordinary; he had to get the Mount Gambier City Council on board first of all, and then the CAMS body on side and also the car club – they actually closed off the road and got local driver Peter Gazzard to run a car up there to see if it was something worthwhile,” he says. Sean says many of the 135 drivers who have nominated for the November 6-8 event have been involved since the beginning. “I think the fact that it has drawn so many people in and gets such a good amount of spectators proves its success, and while Dad was very proud of it, he was also very humble
– he just liked to get the job done, and loved seeing people come back every year saying what a great event it was,” he says. This year, Sean will be working as an official over the three days, guiding the entrants around the winding circuit mapped out by his dad. “It’s an awesome event and I love going there, but it’s one of those moments throughout the year for mum (Wendy Stingers) and I where you do expect dad to be there, because it was one of the major things that he achieved in his life,” Sean says. “It’s a bit tough at some stages, but the fact that it’s still running and the fact that everybody still gets behind it is a testament to Dad as well.” The South Eastern Automobile Club (SEAC) has described Mr Stingers as “a fierce competitor and a strong supporter of our efforts from the very beginning”, while reigning Legend of the Lakes, Peter Gazzard, says Mr Stingers continues to be an inspiration. “The 10th anniversary is very significant due to Lionel’s vision; it was his dream to have this hillclimb, and before he got sick, he said he wanted to get to 10 as race director and then stand down and let someone else run it,” Mr Gazzard explains. “He was so determined to get to 10, but he didn’t quite there, so this is a special event for his family and for the local organisers.” The Trident Tyre
Centre Legend of the Lakes Hillclimb is open to more than 30 different vehicle classes ranging from historic through to improved production, sports cars and four-wheel drive saloons, and the SEAC has released a list of 10 drivers to watch in 2015: 1) Simon Feil – Mount Gambier driver - regular top 10 finisher. Drives a white Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution. 2) Jamie Pohlner – Mount Gambier driver, currently 2nd in South Australia Rally Championship. Drives a Subaru WRX. 3) Damien Brand – Penola driver,
competed in SA motorkhanas recently and has performed really well. Drives a Subaru WRX. 4) Peter Gazzard – Mt Gambier driver, one of only 2 winners of the event. Drives a red Mitsubishi Evo IX. 5) Kevin Mackrell – Victorian entrant. The only other driver apart from Peter Gazzard to win the Legend of the Lakes. Drives a self-engineered V8 4wd Datsun 260Z. 6) Kevin Weeks – Adelaide Lamborghini driver, very keen to get on the podium. 7) Jeff Welsh – Blue Cobra driver – Australian Special modelled on a Lotus 7. Powered by a grey Holden engine with a Repco Hipower cross flow head. 8) John French – Black Austin Sprite Healey owner. Car has a great history, having twice won the Allan Jones Trophy. A current record holder at several venues. 9) Rob Black – Black McLaren 650S, has been competing in Adelaide rallies. 10) Robert Sales – Marsel Special 1938, great fun car that he has used for 7 years.
Above (left) - Lionel & Wendy Stingers. Above - Wendy with her son Sean Stingers. lifestyle1.net | 42 edit - motor hill climb.indd 1
30/10/2015 12:38:30 PM