First Hill Climb at Ovacık Proves Eventful

The second round of the 2015 Turkish Hill Climb Championship was organised by the Istanbul Automobile Sports Club (İSOK) on Saturday 8 May. Contested over three runs on the 4.2-kilometre asphalt course at Şile-Ovacık, the event drew 17 competitors from Bursa, Ankara, Istanbul, Izmir and Antalya across four separate categories.

Organised with Mapfre Genel Sigorta as title sponsor and with the support of Ford Otosan, İTO, TÜYAP, TTOK and Şile Municipality, the event began with practice runs. The Ovacık course, used as a special stage in rallies in previous years but hosting a hill climb for the first time, was well supported by motorsport fans.

In Category 1, which featured four competitors, Bursa's Burak Başlık took the win in a Fiat Palio, followed by Istanbul's Gürkal Menderes in a Nissan Micra. Çağlar Ünüvar from Ankara took the final podium spot in a Renault 11 TXE, while another competitor in the category, Engin Apaydın, was unable to finish due to a gearbox failure.

In Category 3, young Ankara driver Refik Bozkurt crossed the line first, with Bursa's İsmet Toktaş, driving a Honda Civic Type-R, second. Third place went to Bursa's Osman Uğur, who refused to miss the event despite breaking his right hand ahead of it.

In Category 4, last year's champion Ümit Ülkü set the fastest time of the day and won the category in a Porsche 997 GT3. Halid Avdagiç, representing Avitaş Motorsport, a name known around the world for the design and production of Control racing cars, took second in this category. Selim Bacıoğlu, back behind the wheel after a long break, was unable to finish after an electrical failure on his new Peugeot 207.

In Category 2, the classification was not announced and no trophies were awarded after a protest lodged following the event was referred to appeal.

The Turkish Hill Climb Championship continues with the third round, organised by the Aegean Automobile Sports Club (EOSK) in Aydın on 30-31 May.