Gravel sprint enthusiasts in Central Otago are in for a treat this weekend.
The Central Otago Motorsport Club is hosting a new sprint event, the Little Valley gravel bent sprint, in Alexandra on Sunday.
Between 10am and 4pm, rally cars and four-wheel-drives will be tearing around a section of
unsealed Little Valley Rd.
Co-organiser Graham McNabb said the sprint was designed to be an entry level event for racers, but was also for spectators and anyone who might like to get involved.
''We want people to come along and see that it's accessible to most people.''
The club, which has about 150 members, decided to run a gravel sprint to add to the variety of events it holds throughout the year.
Four classes of cars are catered for: up to 1600cc, 1600cc to 2000cc, above 2000cc, and a 4WD class.
About 30 drivers are taking part in the gravel sprint and will do four or five timed runs of the 2.5km ''twisty'' course, in vehicles fitted with roll cages.
A bent sprint defines a race that bends or curves. Entries for the gravel sprint have closed, but people were encouraged to come and watch, he said.
It will take place on Little Valley Rd, 8km south of the Manuherikia Bridge, beyond the Alexandra Clock on the Hill.
There will be designated areas for spectators. There will be no public access to the part of road where it was being held between the hours of 8am and 5pm and no detour.
