Brett Sutherland will be competing in the Mattara Hill Climb in the electric Radical SR8. Here seen at Wakefield Park, Goulburn NSW.
Credit: Electric Vehicle News
Mattara is Newcastle’s city festival (that's Newcastle on Hunter, NSW, not Newcastle on Tyne, England). Part of the festival is the Matara Hill Climb, held in the scenic King Edward Park. Hill climbs were first held at King Edward Park in 1951. In 1957, a government ban called a halt. At the time, governments around the world were banning motor sport events as a result of the accident at Le Mans in 19551 & the de Portago accident at the 1957 Mille Miglia2. Switzerland did not lift its motor racing ban until 20073.
In Newcastle, the King Edward Park event was reborn as part of the 1963 Matara Festival.
Next week's Mattara Hill Climb will be the last at King Edward Park. Roads through the park are being re-designed & will no longer be suitable.
The last event will also be the first to include electric vehicles.
http://www.theherald.com.au/story/3383816/electric-end-to-mattara-hill-climb/
Brett Sutherland's electric Radical SR8 at Sydney Motorsport Park, Eastern Creek, John Bowe driving
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1 Le Mans, accident 1955
2 "Alfonso de Portago", https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alfonso_de_Portago
3 "Switzerland lifts ban on motor racing", https://en.wikinews.org/wiki/Switzerland_lifts_ban_on_motor_racing / Brett Sutherland battery electric vehicle BEV EV electric race car electric cars in next week Mattara Hill Climb last King Edward Park Tesla Roadster owned by Matt Higgins Mattara Hill Climb last power up King Edward Park two electric cars scenic course ending an era with future hill climb organiser Rob Rowe Novocastrian Brett Sutherland battery powered Radical SR8 won two races against petrol powered NSW SuperSports State Championship astounding acceleration electric cars major advantage hill climb event braking are weighed down with batteries electric pioneer will be a road registered Tesla Roadster compete event long weekend October roads paths King Edward Park hill-climb event first competition 1951 1957 government motor sport 1963 Mattara Hill Climb held every October long weekend historic hill climb winning cars Newcastle MG Car Club moving future events new course Ringwood near Raymond Terrace electric cars Smart City Initiative forum free public event City Hall encourage discussion technology innovation smart city Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes /
