This Sunday, 45 race car drivers will peel their way at super high speeds around the sealed, 1-km tarmac race track at Fairbairn. They won’t be just competing to win in an exciting time trial. They’ll be raising funds for the annual HeartKids Hillclimb event.

HeartKids Hillclimb is run by local photographer Daniel Cummins in honour of his little brother, Will, who would have been 28 years of age this year. But Will passed away at age 12, after the heart defect he had since birth became too much for his body to take.

In addition to the action surrounding the car racing, HeartKids Hillclimb is a great day out. Five times throughout the event (being held 9am to 4pm), the race car drivers take passengers, including very excited kids, for free (and slow) laps around the track in the race cars.

HeartKids Hillclimb raised about $12,000 last year, bring total funds raised since the event started in 2009 to $55,000. It’s free to attend with funds raised through entry fees, sponsorships from business, raffle ticket sales and other activities.

The Fairbairn track winds up and around a big hill. There’s one race car on the track at a time with race times posted on a large screen. For the event, the full-compliment of 45 race car drivers involved do two laps with the fastest driver winning. This year a former chief engineer who used to work at Formula One will be on site racing.

Will was passionate about racing cars. He had a collection of 100 matchbox cars and a Playstation car racing game. ‘Getting his learner’s license and driving a cool black car was the last thing we spoke about,’ says Daniel, ‘but Will never made it.’

Will was born premature with a complex, chromosome syndrome. Daniel started the HeartKids Hillclimb event to honor his brother’s memory and raise awareness, funds and support for those with childhood heart disease. The drugs and technology used for the type of illness Will suffered have come a long way, but ongoing research and funding support is still needed.

EVENT DETAILS
9am-4pm | Sunday 21 February 2016 | Fairbairn Park Hillclimb Track, Sutton Road