![Leigh Ford Leigh Ford](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/sxTb9M93X6i4XPK2ScNNcP/a1d9c619-98d4-412e-b217-80ebd4131f54.jpg/r0_0_2048_1365_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
Former Tasmanian rally champion navigator Jon Mitchell proved he is just as capable in the right side of the car with victory in the Lake Barrington Hillclimb.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Organised by the North-West Car Club, the event was the third round of the club's popular Black Tack Series on the demanding 2.3-kilometre, 31-bend course, attracting a field of 60 drivers.
Driving a Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 10, Mitchell clocked the fastest time to also claim the victory for Class F (all-wheel-drive), winning by more than two seconds ahead of car owner Daniel Little, of Forth.
With only one car at a time on the course, hillclimb allows two drivers to share the same car, which was the case with Mitchell and Little.
Launceston's Nathan Oliver (Mazda RX-8) was third fastest overall 1.24 slower than Little, having previously won the opening two rounds of the series.
In some consolation, Oliver was fastest in Class E (engine capacity over 4.5 litres).
Smithton's Phil House (BMW E30 Aplina) took out Class C (2.0 litres to 3.0 litres) with a solid eighth outright.
Class B (engines between 1.6 litres and 2 litres) had the biggest field of the day, but none were able to get near Launceston's Leigh Ford (Honda Integra) who has dominated the category this season.
Ford finished ninth outright, but an impressive 4.14 seconds quicker than his nearest rival, also shaving 12 hundredths of a second off his own course record.
Experienced circuit racing driver and rally navigator Daniel Willson (BMC Mini Clubman), from Hobart, was the victor in Class A (under 1.6 litres) in 24th outright.