“The Nuts” may sound like a quirky rock band. But at Mount Cotton Hillclimb, it represents something far more unique. Welcome to Mount Cotton Hillclimb. It is a place where motorsport history and local ingenuity collide.
Since 1968 Mount Cotton Hillclimb has been Queensland’s premier hillclimb facility. The MG Car Club of Queensland owns and operates it. Club events occur roughly every 4 to 6 weeks. The Queensland Hillclimb Championship takes place here annually. Every seven years, it hosts the Australian Hillclimb Championship.
Picture this. A 946-metre track snakes up the side of Mount Cotton. It features tight turns and challenging corners. Two loops converge at the bottom via a hairpin turn. Now imagine a safety barrier not made of steel or concrete. Instead, it is a wall of discarded macadamia nut shells.
Why macadamia nuts? When ARMCO was ruled out, macadamia shells became the ideal solution. The hard shells take a long time to decompose. They don’t compact like gravel. The nut shells also limit damage to cars. The MG Car Club of Queensland recently added 20 tonnes of nut shells. This was in preparation for upcoming events.
Friends of Mt Cotton also support the facility. This initiative helps fund improvements. They provided a laptop for timekeepers and a generator for the timing facility and canteen.
The Mt Cotton Hillclimb has a rich history. As early as 1962, the MG Car Club of Queensland sought a suitable site. In 1964, the land at Mount Cotton was discovered. By February 1968 the first hillclimb took place. Ray Jorgensen won. He set the pace at 54.54 seconds in his RJ Repco Holden.
The Australian Hillclimb Championship first came to Mount Cotton in 1970. Paul England won with a time of 45.6 seconds. The venue has hosted the event several times since. Ivan Tighe won in 1991. John Davies won in 1995.
Mount Cotton Hillclimb continues to evolve. It hosted the first Australian Junior Hillclimb Championship. This brought hillclimbing in line with other motorsports.
So next time you’re near Brisbane, visit Mount Cotton Hillclimb. Witness the action. Feel the thrill. And remember “The Nuts”. They’re a testament to Aussie ingenuity. They also highlight the unique spirit of this iconic venue. It is a place where motorsport history is made.