Sixteen celebrities, including former All Black prop Kees Meeuws, some Highlanders, some Otago Spirit players, some Nuggets, an ex-Black Cap and a few local radio DJs will zip around the track at Beachlands Speedway today in the I Am Hope Celebrity Challenge.
Speedway vice-president Gareth Kelk said they would be driving powerful street stock cars which would reach speeds of up to 80kmh on the tight dirt circuit.
"There’s always the potential for crashes. Nothing is totally safe when it comes to car racing."
He said this year’s celebrity challenge was special because I Am Hope founder, mental health advocate and former television comedian Mike King would also be competing in the race.
Mr King met committee members late last year, to thank them for their fundraising support of his I Am Hope charity over the past three years.
"At the same time, he asked if he could get into a car and have a go at racing," Mr Kelk said.
"We gave him some dates and he said, ‘I’ll be there’.
Mr Kelk said about $10,000 had been raised in previous events.
"If we can get another $10,000, we’ll be over the moon."
Because Mr King was attending this year’s event, Mr Kelk said there would be a lot more emphasis on mental health awareness.
"We want to make sure all the tough guys in their race cars put a sticker on their cars and feel it’s OK to talk about things that affect their mental health."
The winner would take home a gumboot trophy, but more importantly, they would have "bragging rights", he said.
"And hopefully they’ll come back again next year to defend their title."
