Tony Quinn is already beginning to plan a return visit to tackle the famed Pikes Peak hillclimb following a successful debut last month.

The Australian GT Championship owner was among a selection of invited competitors to feature in the 100th running of the American hillclimb event.

Equipped with his modified Ford Focus hillclimb car, he finished a credible 18th outright and fifth in the top class, despite limited knowledge of the famous 156 corner, 20km Rocky Mountain course.

The Scottish-born businessman clocked a personal best time of 10:20.78s.

While happy with his efforts, Quinn is determined to return next year to lower his time in the Ford Focus.

“There is so much to learn from doing that event the first time,” Quinn told Speedcafe.com.

“The next time should be a whole lot better.

“I qualified way too well but I think what let us down was there is a whole lot of pressure just to finish the thing.

“We didn’t have tyre warmers so the tyres were very cold and third corner in I nearly stacked it, so I had to take it easy really.

“It is really cool when you come up the hill and then when you go down all the public is there celebrating. It is very cool.

“I’m determined to go back next year and do a time in the nine minute bracket.”

Quinn returns to the more familiar surroundings of Australian GT this weekend where he will pilot an Aston Martin Vantage GT3 at the Castrol Edge Townsville 400.