The 54-year-old put in a dynamic effort to win the "tintop" class at the Huntley Hill Climb on Avondale Road. Sunday marked the eighth and final round of the 2019 NSW Hill Climb Championships.

Penrose, in his highly modified 1974 VW Superbug, entered the round in second spot behind James Pearson.

To be crowned tintop champion, Penrose needed to win and for his rival to finish fourth - and that's exactly what happened.

"I'm over the moon, it was awesome," the Unanderra-based racer said. "To win the series on my home track feels outstanding."

Penrose said Huntley Hill was a "very challenging" track.

"It's the steepest hill climb track in NSW," he said.

"You need good horse power to pull your vehicle up the hill."

Penrose's victory came nearly 34 years after he had a near-death experience.

A 20-year-old Penrose was asleep in a camping area at Mt Panorama in 1985 when an out-of-control hooning driver ran over him.

He suffered a fractured skull and spent weeks in hospital.

"The spinning wheel of the car hit me, I could have been killed," he said.

Penrose said that horrific incident made Sunday's win sweeter.

"You take life for granted until things like that happen," he said.

"Life is not a dress rehearsal. We're not here for a long time, we're here for a good time."

Close to 50 drivers were treated to ideal weather conditions at Huntley Hill over the weekend.

A small amount of rain fell on Saturday's practise day, but the sunshine returned for race day on Sunday.

The Wollongong Sporting Car Club hosted the weekend's round and Penrose wasn't the only Illawarra local to taste success.

Club president Jo Bell won her 3D Sports Sedan 1301-2000cc class and was also crowned a state champion.

Riley MacQueen, 18, won the road registered (non-log booked) over 2500cc class and was named fastest junior for the series.

Warren Bell finished first in the time attack 2WD category.

Ben Ford won the non state registered under-2500cc class and Cameron Brown finished third.

Nathan Monkhouse won the non state registered over-2500cc class from fellow locals Dean Penrose, Jackson Chantrey and Alison Monkhouse.

Wollongong Sporting Car Club member Robert Bell finished runner-up in the formula libre over 2000cc category.

Greg Jones was second and Mick Arts finished third in the 2A open closed sports over 1600cc class.

David Hussey also finished third in his late model improved production class and Ian Chantrey took third place in the 3D sports sedan over 3000cc category.

Penrose said spectators enjoyed some thrilling action on Sunday.

"Everyone seemed to have a wonderful day," he said.

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