Region Hosting National Finals of the Hillclimb Championship

Former national rally champion Richard Mason from Masterton will also contest the Valley View hillclimb leg in preparation for his tilt at the New Zealand Rally Championship this season which commences with the Rally Whangarei on April 30. Current leader of the National Hillclimb Championship is Sloan Cox from Rotorua on 300 pts, Michael Tall , Kaitangata 292, Marcus Beaufoy, Gisborne 247, and Dave Loughlin, Tauranga 230.

Media Release

Region Hosting National Finals of the Hillclimb Championships

Wellington Car Club, celebrating its 70th anniversary, will host the two day final of MotorSport New Zealand’s National Hillclimb Championship on 17-18 March. The first leg will be the gravel section at Valley View Road at Totara Park in Upper Hutt on the Saturday with the spectacular Alexandra Road on Mt Victoria the scene for the final tarmac stage.

The club has run hillclimbs on the demanding 1.5 km Alexandra Road route for over 50 years and while the cars have changed, the course remains deceptively challenging to get the best possible time. Top competitors are expected to cover the distance in under 45 seconds.

New Zealand’s top hillclimb specialists have contested qualifying rounds in the North and South Island.

Entry to the event is not restricted to championship contenders, but only they will receive points toward winning the National Championship, which is one of the sport’s oldest clubsport events.

The 15 championship contenders will lead a field of 35 cars on the gravel section, with numbers swelling to 55 on the tarmac.

There are no restrictions on the type of car that can be entered, the only limitation being that it must be equipped with the required safety equipment and run on treaded road tyres. From sports car to full rally spec four wheel drive turbos, the range will be impressive.

Valley View Road will be closed from 7.30am on Saturday and Alexandra Road the following day, with practice on each road commencing at 9.00am. Competitors then make three timed runs. There will be plenty of action as cars will start at one minute intervals so spectators will be well entertained all day. Entry to the event is free and spectators can view the cars from many locations.
The start at Valley View Road is accessed from Totara Park while on Alexandra Road the cars start from the Constable Street end.

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