Drivers gearing up for this weekend’s Knox Mountain Hillclimb in Kelowna

Knox Mountain park in Kelowna will be closed to regular traffic this weekend while powerful cars whip up the windy road during the annual hillclimb contest.

Heading into its 64th year, the Leavitt Machinery Knox Mountain Hillclimb is the longest running paved hill climb in North America, according to a media release.

It’s a 3.5 kilometre track with approximately 245 metres in elevation and an average grade of 6.7%.

Some of the most competitive drivers from the Pacific Northwest travel to Kelowna in hopes of being crowned “king of the hill” among the various car classes. Cars run one at a time in an effort to complete the course as fast as possible.

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Anything beneath two minutes is considered exceptional, the all-time record for the course is 1:37.065. The only way to achieve a top time is by reaching speeds above 160 km/h on the short straights.

Members of the public are invited to watch the action at Knox Mountain Park on Saturday, May 20, and Sunday, May 21. The races happen between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.. There will be live music on Saturday night and a beer garden. The podium and awards ceremony will happen on Sunday night.

For spectators, the cost to attend is $20 per day or $30 for the weekend. Kids 15 and under are free with an adult.

Click here to see the weekend schedule.

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