Every hill counts
Every MotorSport New Zealand-permitted hillclimb is now a round of one national Championship. Race the hills close to home, build your points, and chase a New Zealand title at the live-streamed Grand Final.
Three tiers, one national title
Every hillclimb is automatically part of the Championship. Clubs keep running their events as they do now, and competitors earn points at the hills they choose to enter. Only your best results count, so you don't need to contest every round.
Every MotorSport New Zealand-permitted hillclimb. Nothing changes for clubs, and passengers are still allowed.
Premier events: one tarmac and one gravel in each island, with MotorSport New Zealand support and direct club funding.
The season showdown, run on tarmac so the widest range of cars can compete, and live streamed by MotorSport New Zealand.
How points work
Points are awarded within your class at every round, from 25 for a class win down to 3 for 20th. They're then multiplied by the tier of the event.
Standings are published on this page and emailed to competitors after every round.
Seven Championship classes
The classes are drawn from what competitors already run at hillclimbs around the country, so most people won't need to change class. If an event's classes don't match, MotorSport New Zealand regroups the results to fit.
| Class | Vehicles |
|---|---|
| A | 2WD, up to 1300cc |
| B | 2WD, 1301cc to 1600cc |
| C | 2WD, 1601cc to 2000cc |
| D | 2WD, 2001cc and over |
| E | All 4WD vehicles |
| XC | CrossCars |
| F | Classic, 30+ years old (may be combined with another class if entries are low) |
How to qualify
The Grand Final is the season showdown, worth five times the points. It's run on tarmac so the widest range of cars can compete, and MotorSport New Zealand will live stream it.
Points build across every round you enter.
Qualifying standings lock. No later events count towards qualifying.
Qualifiers confirm their entry. Any place not confirmed passes to the next driver in that class.
A field of 50+ cars, with places shared equally between the classes.
Places per class = total entry cap ÷ number of classes. No class takes places from another.
Build your campaign close to home
A national title no longer means travelling the length of the country. Pick the hills near you, then aim for a Super Round and the Grand Final.
More cars on your hill
The Championship is here to build renewed enthusiasm for hillclimbing and help clubs fill their entry lists. There are no Championship fees or levies for clubs.
Nothing changes. Run your event exactly as you do now.
- Send your results to MotorSport New Zealand. We calculate points, update standings and email competitors.
- No extra officials: no additional steward, and a Bronze Clerk of the Course is fine.
- Passengers are still allowed.
- Mirror the Championship classes if you can. If not, we will regroup your results.
- Get your permit in early to lock your date into the Championship calendar.
What we're looking for
- A quality road of good length and condition
- A field of 40+ cars, with entries open two months out
- An established event (10+ years preferred)
- One tarmac and one gravel Super Round in each island; the Grand Final is on tarmac
What host clubs receive
- Direct funding towards running costs
- Event equipment and Championship branding
- Promotion across MotorSport New Zealand social, web and email
- Pre and post-event entrant communications
- No extra officials required
Submitting an EOI doesn't commit your club. Please have it endorsed by your committee first.
Thinking about your calendar? Tarmac hillclimbs open the sport to the widest range of cars, so we're encouraging clubs to consider running more of them.
Calendar and standings
| Date | Event | Club | Tier | Surface |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Calendar coming soon. Super Round and Grand Final hosts will be announced once selected, and Qualifying Rounds will be added as permits are issued. | ||||
Standings
Class standings will appear here after the first round of 2027, and are emailed to competitors after every round.
Live stream
The Grand Final will be live streamed by MotorSport New Zealand. The link will be posted here closer to the event.
Regulations and resources
- 2027 Championship Articles: published before the 2027 season
- Club Info Pack (PDF): how the Championship works for clubs
- Super Round and Grand Final expression of interest: closes 13 November 2026
Regulation amendments
| Amendment | Published | Type |
|---|---|---|
| None yet for 2027. | ||
Common questions
When does the new Championship start?
The 2027 season.
Do I need to do anything to take part?
Enter MotorSport New Zealand-permitted hillclimbs through the organising club as you do now. Every permitted hillclimb is a Championship round.
How are points scored?
Within your class, from 25 points for a win down to 3 for 20th. Qualifying Rounds earn 1× points, Super Rounds 2× and the Grand Final 5×.
Which results count towards the title?
Your best four Qualifying Round results, your single best Super Round result, and your Grand Final result.
Can I still take a passenger?
Yes. Passengers are allowed at Qualifying Rounds, just as they are today.
How do I qualify for the Grand Final?
Standings are locked six weeks before the Grand Final. The top drivers in each class qualify, with the field of 50+ cars shared equally between classes. Qualifiers have seven days to confirm their entry.
Will the Grand Final be live streamed?
Yes. MotorSport New Zealand will live stream the Grand Final.
My club runs a hillclimb. What do we need to do?
Run your event as you do now and send your results to MotorSport New Zealand. There are no Championship fees or levies, and no extra officials are needed at Qualifying Rounds or Super Rounds.
Our event classes are different. Does that matter?
No. We would love your classes to mirror the Championship classes, but if they don’t, MotorSport New Zealand will regroup your results to match.
Who do I contact?
Jordie Peters at jordie@motorsport.org.nz.
Jordie Peters · jordie@motorsport.org.nz · 04 815 8015
NZ Gold Star Hillclimb Champions
Before 2027 the title was decided over a single weekend. These are the champions under that format.
| Season | Recipient | Vehicle |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Kingsley Jones | Skoda RS |
| 2024 | Matt Penrose | Semog Cross Car |
| 2023 | Hayden Paddon | Hyundai AP4 |
| 2022 | Matt Penrose | Semog Cross Car |
| 2021 | Jack Hawkeswood | Mazda AP4 |
| 2020 | Richard Bateman | Mitsubishi Evo |
| 2019 | Andrew Elder | Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 5 |
| 2018 | Matt Penrose | Subaru WRX |
| 2017 | Matt Penrose | Subaru WRX |
| 2016 | Graham Featherstone | Mitsubishi Evo 7 |