National Hill Climb Contest Relaunched

National Hill Climb Contest Relaunched

A national hill climb series is being introduced to the MotorSport New Zealand motor racing calendar this year.

MotorSport president Shayne Harris said it is anticipated the first round will be run early in the spring and will be open to all classes of cars.

“The event will carry series status in its first year and it is our intention to upgrade it to a full championship event carrying gold star status once the competition becomes established.

“The format will involve two qualifying weekends in each island, with one day on tarmac and one on gravel with the final to be held by the end of April 2011 in the South Island.  The final will alternate between the islands in the following years,” he said. “Cars will compete on both tarmac and gravel surfaces.

“Hill climbs were hugely popular with the public and we believe they will prove so again. In the early years of hill climbing most events were held on tarmac, and the list of winning cars includes single seater Ferrari, Cooper BSA, Begg Ford and March 77B. The growth of rallying and four wheel drive cars has seen the winners list switch to saloon cars

“Hill climbing is one of the oldest disciplines on the New Zealand racing scene with the first national champion being found in 1957. It continued as a stand alone competition until 1994 when it was combined with motokhana and autocross as part of a ClubSport Championship.

“We now plan to re-establish it as a stand alone championship,” he said.

Former gold star champion Andrew Hawkeswood, who recently contested the Pike Peaks Hill Climb in the US, said reintroduction of the event is great news.

“I did Pikes Peak because there are no worthwhile hill climb events in New Zealand. I’ll certainly be interested in having a look at it,” he said.

Five times winner, Marty Roestenburg is also thrilled at the prospect.

“Conditions allowing I’d definitely have another go. It would be a great event and allows cars from grassroots to fancy machines to compete. It would be more economical than a full on rally.”
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