November's not that far away.

30^TH Annual

“John Blanden’s Climb to the Eagle and Northern GP”

Friday 7th November 2014

While the Grand Prix has been lost to Melbourne the memories remain.  One of the most popular of the fringe events was the Climb to the Eagle held traditionally on the Friday morning preceding the Grand Prix. 

The event commenced in 1985 and during its 11 years it attracted the likes of Formula 1 World Champions Juan Manuel Fangio, Sir Jack Brabham, John Surtees, Denny Hulme, Phil Hill as well as Stirling Moss and other champions.  Among the cars that have taken place are some of the world’s most valuable and rarest sports and racing cars.

 To commemorate the 11 years of the Grand Prix in Adelaide, the Climb to the Eagle continues to be run annually on the anniversary of the last “Climb” and in memory of Adelaide’s great Grand Prix carnival.  In 2004 the name was changed to the “John Blanden’s Climb to the Eagle” in recognition of John’s work in setting up this event.  For the last 18 years we have added the optional “Grand Parade” and for this, the 30^th running of the event, we will return to the Northern GP –  via Belair and then continue to Nuriootpa for lunch. 

Adelaide’s motoring community is being invited to be part of this celebration and to join in the official “Climb to the Eagle” while the public is encouraged to line the route to the Eagle on the Hill and to cheer the cars and their enthusiastic drivers and crew. 

The Sporting Car Club of SA is organising the event and is determined to maintain the Grand Prix tradition through this event.

 The “Climb to the Eagle” has already become a motoring classic and the public can see cars at the start at Victoria Park on the pit straight of the grand prix track, or line the route along Glen Osmond Road to the Eagle on the Hill and Belair.  Here is the opportunity for enthusiasts to be part of the experience.  All cars are welcome however with emphasis on any vehicle with sporting heritage, including MG, Jaguar, Austin Healey, Porsche, Ferrari, Holden Monaro, Falcon GT, Clubman’s, Vintage Cars and Veteran Cars.  All cars must be registered and road rules adhered to at all times.  At Victoria Park you can expect to see over 200 sporting and collectable cars head for the hills. 

This year, after the Climb to the Eagle, we will continue to The Belair Country Club for morning tea where there will be a very well known motoring identity guest speaker who has a special connection to the Adelaide/Australian Grand Prix in this state.  It is highly recommended to all enthusiasts. 

As an extension of the Climb to the Eagle, this year will again see the popular but optional Grand Parade conducted to the Northern GP.  It is a drive from Belair, through the magnificent Adelaide Hills to a lunch at The Vine Inn, Nuriootpa.  An interesting route has been selected and all participants will be provided with a 30th Annual Book giving them directions, along with articles of interest and coloured photos.

 The Climb to the Eagle will start promptly at 9 a.m. from Victoria Park with the lead group of about 15 cars being led by a Police Escort.  The remainder of the official “John Blanden’s Climb to the Eagle” field will follow.  While the crews rest at the Belair Country Club, the cars will be available for inspection.  Security will be there to ensure that cars are monitored.  Morning Tea will be available for entrants who have booked in the upstairs Panorama Room overlooking the beautiful National Park and Golf Course.  For entrants that may have difficulty with stairs there is ramp access. The Northern GP will commence at approximately 10-40 a.m. for Nuriootpa. 

Breakfast

This year there will again be the breakfast available prior to the start.   The breakfast will be from 7-00 a.m. to 9-00 a.m. and all proceeds will go to the Brownhill Creek Rotary Club.  Please indicate your interest on the entry form. 

Numbers for Morning Tea and Lunch are limited, so an early entry is advised to avoid disappointment.

 For further information please contact the Sporting Car Club of SA on 08 8373 4899 or Susan Weber on 0448 975 535.  Entry forms are attached, or can be downloaded from the Sporting Car Club of SA website – select the “Forms” tab and scroll to “Entry Forms” (http://www.sportingcarclubsa.org.au/forms.php).

 We invite you to take part in the 30^th running of “John Blanden’s Climb to the Eagle” and Northern GP. 

John Blanden’s Climb to the Eagle Committee 2014

The entry form and disclaimer is on the attached PDF PLEASE NOTE that the closing date for entries is 29^th September 2014

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