It was the first time Ararat had hosted the event and organisers including members of the Ararat Car Club have declared it an overwhelming success.

Mostly sunny weather provided the perfect backdrop for the 75 competitors - including 17 locals and eight 'come and try' participants that converged on One Tree Hill for the weekend of racing.

Among the highlights was Kevin Mackrell in his V8 powered four wheel drive Datsun. Mackrell bettered his own track record to post a new time of 36.81 seconds.

Best of the locals was Nathan Cann in his Porsche 944. Cann placed second in the Marque Sports Cars over 3001cc category.

Daryl McRae in his Holden Commodore was third in the Improved Production two wheel drive over 3001cc category and Brad Bond in his Holden Commodore placed second in the Non Log Booked Cars section.

Ararat Car Club president and Clerk of Course Chris Harwood said after drivers and officials' briefings were completed it didn't take long for the action to get under way.

Mr Harwood said most competitors posted their personal best times in the first run of the day.

"With the track dry and the sun out it looked like the times would be good for the first run and we saw Kevin Mackrell (55) blow off the cobwebs to post 41.25 with Glenn Latter (19) 43.35 and new comer to Ararat, Simon Fiel (151) 43.88 not far behind," he said.

"By run two conditions were getting hotter and the times were getting better with Latter 42.34 and Fiel 43.89."

Mackrell was at this stage still adjusting his vehicle and missed a turn in the second run.

In run three he attempted to better his own track record but missed with 37.79, Fiel was next with 42.36 and Latter 42.58.

It was late Saturday before run four commenced, and as a result some competitors sat it out.

Fiel and Latter were still at it, Simon managed a time of 42.18 but Glenn posted a time of 41.83 putting him in second place heading in to day two.

Mr Harwood said conditions cooled considerably on Sunday providing some competitors with optimism ahead of run five, the first of the day.

"Mackrell again showed he was the man to beat with 38.64 but Andrew Weber (140) did 40.42 with Latter 43.44 and Fiel 42.52 close behind," he said.

Mackrell continued his good form in run six with 37.73, Weber broke a drive belt and Fiel posted 41.78 to gain the edge over Latter 42.94.

Mr Harwood said by the time the final run of the weekend came around all of the competitors were determined to beat their previous best times.

"Mackrell had the perfect run to smash his track record (37.53) set in November to post 36.81 and challenge the others to catch him," he said.

"Weber broke an axle so was not able to complete his run, Fiel did and posted 41.43 just ahead of Latter 41.67."

A lot of organisation went into last weekend's event at One Tree Hill, Ararat Car Club's Andrew Calvert said most things went to plan and even a late change to use water filled barriers instead of hay bales proved to be a success.

"No real complaints - and nothing major went wrong," he said.

"We had a good crowd... because of the large entry, and a lot of cars to look at, the pits were extremely busy all weekend with people looking at cars, which was fantastic.

Mr Calvert said there was no understating the importance of Ararat being chosen as host for round one of the State Hill Climb Championship.

"Like a lot of championships, as the year goes on, people lose interest and entries decline, so it was good to have the first round and attract such a large entry," he said.

"Plus - we did a first by holding a presentation dinner at the Ararat Hotel on Sunday night. This had never been done before, we did this to make the most of the long weekend.

"The dinner was more successful than we planned - we had 74 people attend."

Mr Calvert said the fact the motor sport event was held on the Australia Day long weekend contributed to it being hugely successful.

"Because of the long weekend, many competitors stayed the extra night and had a look around the town before heading home on the Monday, this is good for the club and the town.

Mr Calvert said another of the positives from playing host to the event is that Ararat region residents were given a seat to motor sport action.

"It is very important, being able to compete in a safe environment, in a State Level Championship, right here in Ararat," he said.

"We also have a large number of volunteer officials who don't compete, but help out all weekend because they are still involved that way."

The Ararat Car Club's next event will be held mid year, with the date to be advised. If anyone wishes to be involved, they can contact the Ararat Car Club via Facebook.

"Everybody had a great weekend and special thanks go to all the volunteers/officials that helped run this event," Mr Harwood said.

"The Ararat Car Club would like to thank all the sponsors that also helped make this event a success."