Start your engines

The Mount Tarrengower Historic Hill Climb is on again this weekend. Now into its 89th year and run by the Bendigo Car Club, the climb is one of the oldest in Australia.

The steep and winding circuit climbs for just over 2kms to the top of Mount Tarrengower on the outskirts of the uniquely preserved gold rush town of Maldon in Central Victoria.

The much-loved Tarrengower climb has been run consistently since the 1920s, save for a brief suspension during the war and another in the 1970s after a fatality during another Australian hill climb. After the second suspension the climb recommenced as a reinvigorated, historic only event.

The modern climb is restricted to cars and motorcycles built before 1972.

"The earliest car in this weekend's event will be a 1915 T Model Ford," says Secretary of the Bendigo Car Club, Craig Button.

"But you'll also see lots of early British sporting cars like Austins and MGs as well as late model muscle cars like Mustangs. There'll also be upwards of 30 vintage motorbikes."

Craig says there are a couple of good vantage points to watch the cars going past as they climb but that a trip to Butts Reserve where the cars will be on display is a must for enthusiasts.

"It's a great opportunity to come along, view the cars and talk to the owners," he says.

"It's a great, relaxed social day," says Craig. "We've had competitors from all over Australia over the years and this year is no exception with drivers coming from South Australia and New South Wales to compete. Some of the cars are one-off specials built in the 1930s and 1940s by relatives of the entrants."

Racing kicks off Sunday 21 October at 9am with practice on Saturday 20 October at 12pm. The Bendigo Car Club will operate a courtesy bus for spectators from a central point in Maldon to Mount Tarrengower. Check out their Facebook page for full details here.