Climb to The Eagle

The first Friday in November is iconic for those that remember the F1 Grand Prix’s that ran at the Adelaide Parklands Circuit. While it was a fantastic motorsport event, there were many extra events that helped make the Grand Prix a week-long party! The Climb to the Eagle was one of those events. John Blanden (C-Type Jaguar) organised a run from Hutt Street to the Eagle on the Hill Hotel for special interest and historic racing cars to drive on the city streets up the “old” road to the Eagle-On-The-Hill for a morning tea. This event has continued since the Grand Prix left our state and has become a great motoring morning. This year’s event was the 37th Anniversary of the Climb to the Eagle and is a tribute to not only the founder (John Blanden) but to the 11 years of the Grand Prix in Adelaide. Cars started at the Victoria Park Historic grandstand (due to the COVID testing station on the old Grand Prix Main Straight) with approx. 200 cars. The entrants headed via Hutt Street, Glen Osmond Road to the South Eastern Freeway, turning off at Devil’s elbow for the old road, past the Eagle on the Hill Hotel, and then headed to the Blackwood Football Club Grounds for Morning Tea. The second part of the day known as the “Southern GP Run” involved a drive to and lunch at Victor Harbor, in respect of the previous Grand Prix held at the Victor Harbor Circuit. Jaguars out numbered all other makes with 28 cars, 17 MG’s, 12 Porsche, 11 Mazda’s, 8 Austin Healey’s, 6 BMW’s and a then a mixture of Alfa’s, Ferrari’s, Aston Martins and Mercedes all the way to Holdens and Fords. However, other than Jaguars, there were some very lovely cars including some very special 1920’s Amilcar’s. The weather was kind to us and another great day out for those that didn’t have to work.

Graham Franklin Events Coordinator

Cars started at the Victoria Park Historic Grandstand and stretched right around the track. It was quite a sight.