Redevelopment of Rob Roy

MG Car Club Victoria management

In 1992 the MG Car Club was successful in obtaining a 10-year lease on the property, and reconstruction began, which involved re-laying the entire surface, improving access roads, and the installation of guard rails on the causeway. The result was a faithful re-creation of the original track.

During this period an immense amount of voluntary work was put in by MG Car Club members in all areas of its reconstruction. To cover some of the enormous costs involved, the Friends of Rob Roy was born where a foundation membership, limited to 500, was offered giving subscribers a ten-year period of exclusive free spectator entry among other benefits. This was fully subscribed very quickly, and the bulk of the finance was available in a very short time.

In February 1993 the first "Return to Rob Roy" Historic Meeting was run with outstanding success and a huge spectator attendance. In November 2021, the MGCC ran its 30th Historic and Classic Hillclimb at Rob Roy and the popularity of the event from both competitors and spectators alike has never waned.

The Club has a volunteer group of members known as the ‘Wednesday Warriors’ who maintain the facility. Recently the Mayor of the Shire of Nillumbik remarked “that they could never maintain the property the way the MG Car Club does” 

Resent resurfacing and track modifications

State Government awarded the MG Car Club Victoria a grant of $500,000 to help resurface the historic Rob Roy Hillclimb track, and spectator amenities.  Further to this grant, the Club has contributed cash and in-kind services for professional project management, engineering, architecture, building, civil works and manual labour which takes the total of the project cost to more than $1million.

In conjunction with the track resurfacing, Motorsport Australia requested that an optional chicane be added to the original track layout to slow down the speeds at the track for modern racecars which are too fast for the 1937 original layout. The original track layout will also remain for appropriate competition. Furthermore, the return road is now sealed and a separate crossover on the causeway has also been constructed to allow separation of returning competitors from the track.  Other improvements include sealing of the internal roads, a dedicated tyre cleaning area before the start line, and a level starting pad.  All of these improvements will make it safer for our volunteer officials, as well as a better experience for our competitors.

Improved amenities

Spectator amenities have also been improved with shelters constructed adjacent to the original Octunda (a rotunda built for MG enthusiasts as a nod to the MG Octogon badge). There are also viewing stands and picnic tables.  The club volunteers (the Wednesday Warriors) have been working at the property for many years now, and have landscaped and mowed the venue to improve the picnic areas, especially under the Oaks.  The Turn 2 viewing area is now likely to add some additional excitement with the chicane placed directly in front of the viewing area.

For those who have not visited Rob Roy for some time, you will appreciate the upgrades as either a competitor or as a spectator.  For those who have never been to the historic Hillclimb venue, the jewel in the MG Car Clubs crown, you will be impressed at the venue and what it has to offer for historic motorsport and modern club sport.