Mount Hotham to host world's longest hillclimb

The mountaintops and valleys of the alps around Victoria's Mount Hotham will reverberate with the sounds of high-performance cars for two full days in November, as the region hosts both a hillclimb event that is longer than the USA's famed Pikes Peak, and an 11-stage 250km rally expected to attract as many as 200 entrants.

Organised by motorsport promoter Auto Corse Group and the Mount Hotham Alpine Resort Management Board, the dual-purpose event aims, to "provide an experience that would be a true test of man and machine like no other," according to event director and former Targa Tasmania designer Stuart Benson.

The hillclimb, which finishes on Mount Hotham, 1837 metres above sea level, with a 1300-metre elevation gain over a total distance of 29km – or 10km more than Pikes Peak – throws up no less than 241 corners.

Contestants will get an adequate opportunity to familiarise themselves with the climb as they will attack the course six times during the weekend, covering 171 competitive kilometres in the process.

The Hotham Auto Corsa Alpine Tarmac Rally will be held simultaneously, with as many as 200 cars competing over 11 stages comprising 250 competitive kilometres.

Based also in Mount Hotham, the rally will take in Falls Creek and closed roads around nearby towns including Harrietville, Mount Beauty and Omeo.

According to multiple Australian Rally Champion Simon Evans, who has already signed on for the rally, "the roads of Hotham are one of Australia's best kept secrets. These events will include some of the most technical and challenging tarmac roads I've ever driven and the scenery is just incredible."

Both the hillclimb and the rally will include a stretch of Victoria's Great Alpine Road, which is the highest sealed through-road in the country.

Jon Hutchins, who is CEO of the Mount Hotham Alpine Resort Management Board, said "The natural vistas and sealed condition of the Great Alpine Road give it the potential to rival and even surpass Victoria's other iconic travel route, the Great Ocean Road. As a year round destination the North East of Victoria offers excitement and natural attractions for both domestic and international visitors."

The event is expected to attract an additional 5000 bed stays during what is known as the "green" season in the Victorian alps.

Chair of the Mount Hotham Alpine Resort Management Board, Deb Spring, said "This is an exciting opportunity for our community to really take ownership of these events, which I believe are a much-welcomed addition to the Australian motorsport calendar."

The event will be held over the weekend of November 13-15 this year. For further details, visit the Autocorsa website.

Pictured: Virgin Australia airlines co-founder Rob Sherrard’s (blue) Dodge Viper GT3, Phil Blake’s rare 1964 FIAT Abarth OT 1600 (yellow)