The Hunter Valley Off Road Racing Association (HVORRA) was formed to promote the sport of Off Road Racing in Australia.
HVORRA holds 1 major event annually, known as the prestigious Milbrodale Mountain Classic. This event is a charity event, organised to provide Chosen charities Kids a chance to ride in a race vehicle while enjoying a fun day which includes a BBQ lunch (catered by HVORRA). All
funds raised are donated to the charities and has been a very fulfilling day for these families. The second event is HVORRA's main annual event that began in 1985. This premier event is a part of the NSW Off Road Championship, long course series and Tri Challenge Series. The event has become a prestigious race with many competitors seeking the Man of the Mountain title awarded to the fastest single lap of the 96km long course heat. The Hunter Valley Off Road Racing Association was founded in 1987 after Ian & Jan Hedley thought an off road track in their local area would be a good idea. The Hedley’s spoke to local land owners Errol and Rod Smith who were willing to allow an off road track to be built on their farm land. The first two years saw the Sydney Recreational Vehicle Association (SORRA) organise the “Classic” but as membership grew in HVORRA, members believed they had the expertise to stand alone and run the Milbrodale Mountain Classic themselves. In 1990 “Animal Leap” was an added attraction for off roaders. After a trip to America, the Hedley’s came back with the idea of building “Animal Leap” a towering 17 metre drop (named after a similar jump at America’s Glen Helen Recreational Ground). Unlike a normal off road jump which is basically a ramp, the Animal Leap is a 17 metre (50 foot) drop where the track dips at approximately 70 degrees from a higher level of track to a lower level. Drivers say they cannot see anything in the approach to the jump and when you reach the edge you cannot see the track at all. Early events saw celebrity drivers come to take on
the Mountain, some successful, some not so lucky. In 1988 Dick Johnson posted the fasted prologue in class, then suffered electrical problems in Jan Hedley’s F150. On Sunday he started rear of the field, working his way through to second place, only
to DNF after breaking a rear axle housing and losing a wheel. Other celebrity drivers were; Andrew Miedecke (driving Ian’s Bronco) who was leading the class until he came to grief by attempting to avoid a disabled car on the track, striking a large rock. George Fury presented a major threat to Les Siviour and finished 2nd, just four seconds behind the Australian Champion. Mark Skaife drove Barry Johnson’s Class 1 Buggy, impressively finishing 2nd in class and 3rd Outright .Glen Seton posted some quick times but was unable to complete the course. Others celebrities to drive at the Classic have been Tony Longhurst and Kevin Waldock. The Hunter Valley Off Road Racing Association has produced several Australian Champions, including Jan Hedley (Class 5) Robert Pagan (Class 5) Neville Boyes ( Class 1) Graham Smith (Class 5) & Grahame Baxter (Class 7 & Class 8). The running of the Milbrodale Mountain Classic could not be done without the support of our professional Hunter Valley Off Road Racing Recovery Crew, led by Murray Slana. Murray and his crew are an elite group who are responsible for the recovery of any vehicles broken down or crashed over the weekend. The local community is also a valued asset to our event, with the Milbrodale School, Bulga Community Hall, and Bulga Bush Fire Brigade assisting with the event throughout the weekend.
2011 will be the 25th Anniversary of the Milbrodale Mountain Classic. The Classic is being run on the last weekend in August, and club members are busy thinking of ways to celebrate this milestone.
