Rfeda – National Spanish Hillclimb Championship – Round 1
Subida Penas Blancas Estepona 2014 – 5/6th April – Andalusia
We arrived at Malaga airport late on Wednesday evening, 2nd April, to provide plenty of time the following day, and in advance of the event, to learn the Subida (Rise to), a 7.3 kilometre climb from just outside the town centre of Estepona across the motorway on road MA 8301. This particular event had not been run since 2006, and RS Sport the Escuderia (Sporting Car Club) responsible should be rewarded, as the route is superb. A very fast and smooth tarmac road, winding its way up over 500 metres, both climbing and, in 3 parts, dropping down, which is abnormal for a Hillclimb event as you can well imagine.
The average speed for these events must be kept below 140 km/hr so on one downhill stretch the organisers decided to insert a chicane which caused a great deal of heated discussion at the drivers briefing on the Friday evening before the start of the event, after the technical inspections had been completed. Some of the top and faster drivers complaining that it was much too tight getting in and out of and as such there was a chance that cars could be damaged. The federations response was, quite simply, if you don’t like it then “Don’t race!”. Fairly clear to me! Personally, having probably the second widest car of the event next to the Mosler, I didn’t have a problem, but he certainly did.
The Ayuntamiento, or local town council, had committed a great deal of funds to the promoting of the event and virtually closed all central roads of the town to allow a full display of the cars. The atmosphere was definitely one of a festival spirit. The town hall or Junta should be applauded for their efforts.
Our car was put in pride of place alongside last years champion Villarino, in his newly acquired Ossella, and the Mosler. Certainly a much photographed spectacle at Parc Ferme on the night before the commencement of the event, Saturday lunchtime.
Parc Ferme
Read more: Event Report | Rfeda – National Spanish Hillclimb Championship – Round 1
