An overwhelming response from interested competitors for April’s Repco Race to the Sky has delighted the organising team at Highlands Motorsport Park headed by general manager Mike Sentch, who has just okayed the release of public ticket sales.

“It’s exciting to have so much interest from over 150 prospective competitors,” says Mr Sentch. “More than 80 competitors from across the car, quad, off-roader and motorcycle divisions have already paid the entry fee, and more arrive every day.

“With entries closing on 17 March, an official entry list won’t be ready until after that date, but fans can be assured there are plenty of well-known drivers and riders from around New Zealand and across the Tasman vying to take on world-renowned Race to the Sky champion Nobuhiro ‘Monster’ Tajima for the race win and the ultimate title of ‘Repco Race to the Sky King of the Mountain Champion’.”

A second prestigious title of the ‘Repco Race to the Sky Fastest Kiwi’ will go to the New Zealand resident driver or rider who records the fastest overall time during Sunday’s finale and they’ll receive the Possum Bourne Memorial Trophy.

“Spectator interest is definitely starting to ramp up with many questions via calls and emails to our office and our social media channels,” Sentch says.

“With tickets now on sale, we’re delighted that fans can now confirm their plans to attend the Repco Race to the Sky and see for themselves the successful resurrection of one of New Zealand’s – and the world’s – most iconic hillclimb races.”

Now the world’s longest gravel hillclimb event, the Repco Race to the Sky will comprise six divisions; three for cars – international hillclimb, a national hillclimb and rallycourse – with eight subcategories, and one division each for off-roaders, quad bikes and motorcycles.

The event schedule sees competitors spend Friday doing reconnaissance runs in their road cars on the course which uses 14.5 kilometres of the private access road to the Southern Hemisphere Proving Ground climbing from the floor of the Cardrona Valley approximately 1500 feet to approx. 5000 feet above sea level – this is a competitor-only day. Throughout Saturday and into Sunday morning, competitors complete their practice and qualifying runs before the all-important finals on Sunday afternoon to determine the division winners and place-getters. The King of the Mountain Repco Race to the Sky finale sees the ten fastest competitors – from any division – strive to post their very best time of the weekend in this one last race up the mountain to earn that King of the Mountain title.

The team from Highlands is setting up a very Highlands-style, family-friendly venue in the best viewing site. Dubbed ‘The Paddock’, spectators can enjoy food and market stalls, and entertainers and activities for children while watching the competitors in action streaking through those 135 corners to race up the famed Cardrona Valley hillside.

Event sponsor Repco has created an exciting opportunity for two lucky customers to win one of two weekends for two people at the Repco Race to the Sky. Simply by spending $50 or more in any Repco store around New Zealand during March and then texting the word REPCO, their receipt number and name to 244, a customer could win a prize package for two people including flights, accommodation, VIP hospitality and hillclimb rides at the Repco Race to the Sky event and special guest passes to Highlands Motorsport Park. Full terms and conditions available from www.repco.co.nz/racetothesky.

Tickets are now on sale online from Ticket Direct [http://www.ticketdirect.co.nz/event/details/123736/repco-race-to-the-sky-day-1] or from the Highlands Motorsport Park offices. An adult one-day pass, valid for Saturday or Sunday, costs $50 and a two-day adult pass $80. Children under 16 years of age have free entry when accompanied by a paying adult. Commemorative programmes can be purchased on-site for $10.

More information about the Repco Race to the Sky and all regular Highlands Motorsport Park attractions is available on the venue’s website www.highlands.co.nz, the event website http://www.racetothesky.co.nz/, or visit the Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/HighlandsMotorsportPark.