Ben Nevis Golden 1200 attracts key nationwide partners

The Ben Nevis Station Golden 1200 Hillclimb has already secured the support of several key commercial partners to help deliver New Zealand’s newest hillclimb event when it takes place on 7 and 8 March this year.

Event founder and director Hayden Paddon has been working with naming rights sponsor and event host Ben Nevis Station for several months. The working high-country station offers luxury accommodation and a range of outdoor experiences perfectly suited to their unique, scenic location in the remote back country Nevis valley.

Paddon says: “Firstly, without the support of Phil and Aaron at Ben Nevis Station and sharing their vision to make this event possible, this whole concept would never have got off the ground. We are proud to be hosting this event in their backyard next to their exclusive five-star accommodation retreat in the Nevis Valley.”

The event has also secured key support from automotive parts supplier Repco New Zealand, global brand action photography equipment and app supplier GoPro, and internet provider Gravity. Hyundai New Zealand also continue their key support of New Zealand motorsport as the official car partner to the event.

“Hyundai New Zealand, Gravity, Repco, GoPro and Winmax Brakes are playing a huge role in this event to help us build this from scratch to mould into an iconic New Zealand motorsport event,” said Paddon. “It’s great to have Repco alongside this event who last partnered the 2015 Repco Race to the Sky and are working with us on the return of that iconic event, along with GoPro in helping us build this new and exciting event.

“After their recent WRC Rally New Zealand partnership announcement, it’s great to also see Hyundai New Zealand supporting another iconic local motorsport event. We’re pleased to have Gravity onboard, helping us take an event that is in remote country, to stream and showcase around the world.”

The team at PRG, which is managing the event in association with three local motorsport clubs, have been working hard on the commercial partnerships which allow at least 90 competitors to line up at the start line on Ben Nevis Station on the second weekend in March.

“We are delighted to also be working with several local Cromwell businesses including Design Windows and The Gate, Central Apartments Cromwell, Highlands Motorsport Park, Civil Engineering and R&R Hire to help bring the Golden 1200 to life. Winmax Brakes, a company I have had a strong partnership with some for time, is also supporting the event.”

With an entry list featuring several outstanding competitors such as Tony Quinn with his purpose-built Pikes Peak hillclimb car, Ashley Forest Rallysprint winner Sloan Cox, Alex Kelsey and his outrageous Peugeot MC2, Race to the Sky star Ian Fitch on his SuperQuad and Paddon himself with his Hyundai AP4 rally car, the Golden 1200 hillclimb is looking set to be a top notch motorsport event. Timing and results will be live-streamed from the event along with regular video and news updates from the dedicated media team. The event will also feature a 30min highlights package screened on TV3 CRC Motorsport show in the weeks following the event.

Spectator access to the designated viewing zones is free this year and offer spectators high octane motorsport among Central Otago’s breath-taking scenery. Access and parking will be via the Nevis Road from Bannockburn.

Competitors and spectators are already booking accommodation in nearby Cromwell and Bannockburn. Camping will be available on Ben Nevis Station with more details to be shared soon.

Regular information about the Ben Nevis Station Golden 1200 Hillclimb is shared on the Paddon Rallysport Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/paddonrallysport/ or look for the Golden 1200 button on the Paddon Rallysport website www.paddonrallysport.co.nz.