Damian Johnson approaching the finishing line during one of his laps at the Wanganui Car Club's annual dual hill climb challenge at the weekend. Photo/Barbara Gray
Damian Johnson approaching the finishing line during one of his laps at the Wanganui Car Club's annual dual hill climb challenge at the weekend. Photo/Barbara Gray
Local driver Damian Johnson went back-to-back as the overall fastest at the Wanganui Car Club's annual dual hill climb challenge over the weekend.
The double event saw 26 racers take part in Saturday's race up Pukerimu Rd, while a field of 20 competed in the second rally, up the OkoiaHill, on Sunday.
The number of entrants was an increase on the around 23 drivers who took part in 2013, with various Escorts, Starlets, Datsuns and WRXs getting four turns each to make their fastest lap up the hill on both days.
Club spokesman Stu Robertson said that, like last year, their event managed to avoid the bad side of the weekend's inclement weather, with both rallies taking place in good conditions.
There were only a couple of minor prangs on each day.
In his Mitsubishi VR4, Johnson was second overall at Pukerimu Rd on Saturday, with his fastest time of 1 minute 3.25 seconds being behind clubmate Alan Austin in his RX7 (1:02.25), while Phil McQuoid (1:02.32) was third in his Ford Escort.
Johnson was to be the fastest driver on Sunday, going up Okoia Hill in 38.48s, followed by McQuoid (39.63) and Lee Spooner (39.91) in another Mitsubishi VR4.
