Kaitangata Bob Scott Memorial Hill Climb

MEMORIES OF BOB SCOTT AND THE SCOTT SPECIAL REVIVED

Kaitangata & Districts Community Bob Scott Memorial Hill Climb, event honours the achievements of the late Bob Scott. Bob Scott won the Kaitangata Hillclimb in 1967. In a poignant touch two of his three sons will drive the famous car “The Scott Special” in today’s event.

Bob a prominent citizen of Kaitangata, served two terms as Mayor of Kaitangata and with his wife Margaret owned and operated Scott’s Garage in the 1950’s and early 1960’s.

Bob had tremendous passion for motorsport and at one stage raced an early Formula 1 Alfa Romeo fitted with a Jaguar engine.

As this car was notoriously unreliable and unsuitable for the grass track racing popular in those days, Bob decided to build a race car that would be better than the Alfa.

The Scott Special was born. Bob built and raced the Scott Special, a 4 cylinder, 1500cc engined car against V8's and 6 cylinder vehicles to win three South Island Grass Track titles.

Bob and the Special became the dominant hillclimb force in Southland, South Otago and Otago, taking the Dominion Rosebowl (trophy for the winner of the most regional hillclimbs) several times.

Bob and the Scott Special came second in a 1970 Teretonga International event against opposition containing three Ferrari powered British cars. The British cars had raced throughout Australasia that summer but Bob’s effort in finishing second meant the Teretonga race was the only outing in which they failed to finish first, second and third that season.

The British drivers were so impressed they wanted to give him the first place trophy but he would not accept it. Bob also competed at other major race circuits of Ruapuna, Christchurch and Levels, Timaru, he won many events against factory built race cars. He also raced on the sand in Nelson.

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