Longest running annual paved hillclimb in North America concludes at Knox Mtn today

Gearheads gathered to Kelowna’s favourite mountain over May long weekend to see how fast they could race up Knox Mountain Park.

The Leavitt Machinery’s Knox Mountain Hillclimb recorded its 62nd year of smoking tires and red-hot engines tearing up the mountain for North America’s longest-running annual paved hillclimb.

There were 62 cars registered for the event with more than 70 participants — some of which were sharing vehicles — barrelling up the mountain over Saturday and Sunday in a Time Attack race trying to beat the all-time speed record held by John Haftner in his Tui SuperVee at 1:37.065 in 2007.

The wheelmen and wheelwomen raced for the King and Queen of the Hill trophies, respectively, with every vehicle class earning awards for finishing in a podium position.

Driver Aran Cook currently holds the fastest time up the 245-metre incline at 1:45.311, completing the 3.5-km long track with his black Arco X10.

According to Bryan Fulton, chief organizer of the event for over a decade, this hillclimb is the last of its kind still running in Canada, therefore winners will get more than the typical Queen and King of the Hill trophies.

"In addition to the local queen or king of the hill trophy they also get the CACC hillclimb championship trophy," Fulton said.

"In the world of Time Attack and Hill Climb for Canada this is as big as it gets," he added, noting that for him and his team the event is a labour of love.

The event finishes tonight at 5:30 p.m. with an Awards presentation by the Tennis Courts at Knox Mtn Park between 6 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Knox has been closed to recreational users over the Saturday and Sunday to make way for the racecars.

For more information about the event, click here.

Edit: A previous version of this article stated the hillclimb was the longest paved hillclimb in North America, it has been revised to clarify the longest-running paved hillclimb in North America.