From Australia to the UK: The Global Journey of Wayne Penrose in Hillclimbing

From the rolling countryside of New South Wales to the legendary slopes of Shelsley Walsh, Australian hillclimber Wayne Penrose has turned a lifelong passion for engineering and motorsport into an international adventure.

Hailing from North Nowra, New South Wales, Wayne has spent decades building a formidable reputation in the world of air-cooled Volkswagen performance. His meticulous engineering skills and fearless driving has earnt him four Australian Hillclimb Championship wins and five NSW Championships in the Sports Sedan category, driving two different Volkswagen Beetles. In addition, his specialist Volkswagen performance business, Wayne Penrose Volkswagen Pty Ltd, has become renowned for producing some of the fastest and most innovative custom-built VW machines in Australia.

At the centre of Wayne's remarkable journey is an equally remarkable car: Phoenix.  When Wayne unloads Phoenix in the paddock, people inevitably stop to look.  At first glance it appears to be a beautifully restored 1974 Volkswagen Beetle. But a closer inspection reveals something altogether different. Beneath the familiar curves lies a purpose-built Formula 2-style chassis, a centrally mounted driving position and more than 540 horsepower delivered to the rear wheels. It's a machine unlike almost anything else in the paddock and it perfectly reflects the man who built it.

Yet Wayne's ambitions stretched far beyond home soil. Inspired by the rich heritage of British hillclimbing and the vibrant European Volkswagen scene, he set himself an extraordinary challenge: to ship his remarkable race car, Phoenix, halfway around the world and compete on some of Britain's most iconic hillclimb courses.

What followed was much more than an overseas racing trip. It became a journey of friendships, engineering excellence, family memories and the fulfilment of a dream that had been years in the making.  

Travelling from Australia to compete in Britain's legendary Tin Top Challenge is no small undertaking.  Yet ask him why he wanted to do it, and the answer comes without hesitation.

"It's the people, the atmosphere and the hills," he smiles. "This is where I always wanted to race.”

A Lifetime with Volkswagens

Performance has always been part of Wayne's life.  More than four decades ago he established his specialist Volkswagen engineering business, building and developing high-performance air-cooled engines. While others gradually left the industry, Wayne became known for producing meticulously engineered performance engines, earning an international reputation that today leaves customers facing an eight-month waiting list.

"Everything has to be right," he explains. "We don't rush a thing.”

His engines, producing up to 650 horsepower, have become renowned among Volkswagen enthusiasts, and motorsport has provided the perfect showcase for both his engineering and his business.

Hillclimbing entered Wayne's life in the1980s through local events held close to home in Australia.

"I've always competed in air-cooled Volkswagens," he says. "It started at small local hillclimbs and from there I was completely hooked.”

Wayne went on to win two Australian Hillclimb Championships, Two New South Wales Hillclimb Championships and numerous class wins and records with Phoenix and his previous VW race cars.

Inspired from the Other Side of the World

Thousands of miles away, another dream was beginning to take shape.

Watching live streams from British and European hillclimbs, Wayne found himself captivated by famous venues such as Shelsley Walsh, Harewood and Doune. Through social media he struck up friendships with competitors across Europe, particularly in Germany, where the air-cooled Volkswagen scene remains incredibly strong.

"I'd watch every livestream I could find, especially the Tin Top Challenge," Wayne recalls.

"Eventually I thought, one day I've got to get over there and experience this for myself."

That dream finally began to take shape in 2024. Wayne first travelled to Germany to attend an air-cooled Volkswagen race weekend before crossing to the UK to immerse himself in the world of British hillclimbing. Although Phoenix remained in Australia, Wayne spent six weeks visiting British Hillclimb Championship venues, walking the famous courses and getting to know the competitors who had inspired him from afar.

Unfortunately, one thing was missing.

"The Tin Top Challenge dates hadn't been released when I booked my flights," he laughs.

"I'd travelled all that way and completely missed it. I was gutted.”

Rather than leaving disappointed, the trip only strengthened Wayne's resolve. The warm welcome he received from the British hillclimbing community, particularly from drivers such as Steven Darley, Damien Bradley, Simon Bainbridge, Wallace Menzies and many others, made him feel part of the paddock from day one and convinced him that he simply had to return.

"I told everyone I'd be back in 2026," Wayne laughs. "And this time I'd be bringing Phoenix. I'm not sure they believed me then, but as anyone who knows me will tell you, if I say I’m going to do something, I do it."

True to his word, as soon as the 2026 Tin Top Challenge calendar was published, Wayne began putting his plans into motion. Flights were booked, the logistics of shipping Phoenix across the world were carefully organised, and before long his remarkable Volkswagen was on its way to Britain ready to tackle the iconic hills he had dreamed of driving for so many years.

Making the Impossible Possible

Returning with Phoenix in 2026 was a logistical challenge few competitors ever have to consider.

The car was shipped from Australia on Feb 26th many months before Wayne boarded his own flight. It arrived safely on May 17th along with race wheels, tyres, tools, spare parts and everything needed to compete throughout the British season.

Much of that wouldn't have been possible without the generosity of friends.

Wayne speaks warmly of Spencer Pritchard from The Old Dub Shop in Bristol, who was not only there to pick up Phoenix from customs, but also stores her safely and helps prepare her between events. He also went the extra mile by sourcing a Volkswagen T4 transporter for

Wayne that becomes his home and garage store whilst travelling around the country.

"There are so many people who've helped make this happen," Wayne says. "Hillclimbing really is one big family.”

More Than Competition

One of Wayne's fondest memories didn't come from standing on a podium.  It came from simply sharing the experience.

Back in 2024 Wayne competed at Shelsley Walsh and it became an unforgettable family occasion, with his son and a crew of eight other friends travelling from Australia to join him.

"My son's an airline pilot who trains young pilots, so finding the time to come over wasn't easy," Wayne says proudly. "He's also my technical support, and having him there meant everything."

The group all stayed together at Campbell Cottage beside the start line.

"We'd race during the day, then spend the evenings together over dinner, chatting about the day's runs. That's what I'll always remember."

Although Wayne has won championships back home, it seems that it is these special, shared experiences with family and friends, that really matter most.

A Community Like No Other

Having raced on opposite sides of the world, Wayne believes British hillclimbing has something truly special.

"The support here is unbelievable," he says.  "If somebody has a great run, everyone celebrates it."

In particular, watching the leading drivers congratulate one another after an event at Doune, left a lasting impression.

"Watching the quickest drivers climb out of their cars and celebrate each other's success was fantastic. There were hugs, pats on the back and plenty of laughter. The respect, kindness and camaraderie between them was incredible, and it's something that has stayed with me ever since.”

The scale of British hillclimbing also surprised him.

“When I first went to Harewood it had around 160 entries. Back home we'd usually see about 30 or 35 cars at a championship round.”

Germany impressed him just as much.

"They love seeing different engineering, and the enthusiasm for air-cooled Volkswagens is incredible.”

The Beetle with a Secret

While Phoenix retains the unmistakable silhouette of a classic Beetle, little else remains original.

Beneath the bodywork sits a bespoke Formula-style chassis, race suspension and Wayne's own engineering solutions.

Perhaps the most unusual feature is the seating position.

"I'm right in the middle of the car."

Unlike conventional left- or right-hand-drive competition cars, Wayne drives from the centreline, giving the car the feel of an oversized racing kart.

"It feels absolutely incredible."

Its performance is equally remarkable. During competition in Germany, Phoenix reached 243 kph comfortably the fastest air-cooled Volkswagen in the field, with the next quickest competitor recording 192 kph.

A Hillclimb Dream Fulfilled

Despite travelling the world, one venue occupies a special place in Wayne's heart.

"Shelsley Walsh."

His admiration began long before he ever competed there.

“This year I actually made a special trip just to walk the course again. Just being there was emotional."

As a long-time member of the Midland Automobile Club, finally taking the start at Shelsley Walsh with Phoenix, fulfilled a dream he'd held for years.

"It's narrow, it's steep, it's incredibly fast and the history is everywhere. You can feel it, it’s tangible.”

For Wayne Penrose, every journey from Australia to Britain represents far more than another race meeting. It is the chance to compete alongside friends, experience some of the world's greatest hillclimbs and continue living a dream that began on small Australian hills more than forty years ago.

And as long as Phoenix keeps climbing, that dream shows no sign of slowing down.