Engin Apaydın on the Podium at Orhangazi

The Orhangazi Hill Climb, round five of the 2018 Turkish Hill Climb Championship, organised by the Bursa Otomobil Sporları Kulübü, was held on 6-7 October over three runs on the 5.25km course on the Orhangazi Hamzalı Köyü road.

The event featured 23 competitors across four national categories and eight local categories. Competing in Category 2 in his new Renault Clio Ragnotti, sponsored by HANKOOK Tyres, 2014-2017 Turkish Hill Climb Champion Engin Apaydın finished more than a minute clear of his closest rival, setting the second-fastest times in his category on all three runs with 3:03.58, 3:00.68 and 2:58.00.

Apaydın, who set the best times in his category in practice, said he had suffered suspension problems in the car on its first outing. He explained that he pushed at the highest pace the car's limits allowed and improved his time on every run, finishing fourth overall and second in Category 2 and signalling that he will be more competitive in the rounds to come.

Engin Apaydın will continue his Turkish Hill Climb Championship campaign with the Sakarılıca Hill Climb, organised by the Eskişehir Otomobil Sporları Kulübü in Eskişehir on 3-4 November.