Newcastle’s MG Car Club will host this year’s Daydawn Electrical Australian Hillclimb Championship at the Ringwood Park Motor Sport complex at Raymond Terrace, starting today.

First held in 1938,  the championships’ ­former winners include Australian driving ­legend and three-time Formula 1 champion Sir Jack Brabham.

Publicity officer Peter Robinson said the club was proud to have been chosen as hosts.

“We’re in for a very busy weekend,” he said.

“The last time it was in the Hunter was in 1972 so it has been a long time.

“It usually goes to big racing places like Bathurst.”

More than 100 competitors will take to the newly renovated track with practice today and tomorrow.

Racing will be held over the weekend.

Robinson said the track, which has been extended by 300m, would prove a difficult test for drivers.

“It is a very tight track, it’s tight and twisty,” he said. “It will bring all the lesser powered cars right into it. Cars will still get up to ­probably 140 or 150 km/h.”

Robinson said some of the top Hillclimb cars were among the fastest in Australia.

“They might not be suited to this track but they have enlarged Formula 1 motors and weigh nearly half as much (as a Formula 1 car),” he said.

“They accelerate quicker so it should be very exciting.”

Victorian Greg Ackland is expected to be among the main challengers after being the quickest at the 2013 championships at Mount Cotton in Queensland.

Ackland is a stranger to the Raymond Terrace track but his nimble, self-built machine could be suited to the conditions.

Another former national champion, Brett Hayward, should also feature after winning this year’s NSW title.