Also one of the resort’s most exciting spectacles, Saturday’s Coronet Peak Hill Climb has been run since 1972, apart from one long break, by the Queenstown Car Club.
This year’s event will feature up to 40 competitors driving up the final, windy 2.7km stretch of the skifield access road.
A star attraction will be world rally ace Hayden Paddon’s team with a one-off replica of a special piece of motorsport history.
Another out-of-towner is multiple past winner, Dunedin’s Glen Frew, while local drivers include Simon Jones, Stephen Rooney, Steve Walak, Geoff Lange and Adam Fanderlinden, who’s only just got his long-term project Silvia back on the road.
"It’s been a big year for our club with growing numbers for entry-level motorsport events," club vice-president Matty Pester says.
"It is fantastic to be able to give something thrilling back to the locals, as well as those who want to step up to that next level as a competitor."
Racing starts about 10.15am with competitors given at least three timed runs, if not four — the course-record 79 seconds was set by Andrew Waite in Highlands Motorsport Park owner Tony Quinn’s Ford Focus in 2017.
Spectator areas include by the main hub at the midway point, or uphill, hillside viewing points.
There’ll be coffee and food available for purchase.
HP Academy’s again the title sponsor.
