Empire Hill Climb

A unique Motorsport event that attracts competitors from across the Midwest.

All sorts of race cars from homebuilt monsters, to vintage racers, rally cars, and drift cars. The Empire Hill Climb is a unique motorsport event with an old-school feel. 

The race was first run from 1964 to 1980 and is back to stay! The course for this year is about 3/4 mile with 8 turns. All this is just a short walk from the shores of Lake Michigan and the famous sand dunes.

During its original running some of the best cars of their time made their way up the hill such as Austin Healey’s, Jaguar E-Type’s, AMC Gremlin’s, Formula Ford and V’s, Triumph’s, Corvette’s, Porsche’s and even a Ferrari or two.

At the first revival the HillClimb saw an entry list ranging from a Formula Ford to a Modified Circle Track car - which actually won!  This is the seventh year of its revival and looks to be bigger and better.

The hillside offers fantastic spectating as the cars wind their way up the hill where spectators can sit nearly above the race cars – close, but safe from the action.

Parc Expose will be in downtown Empire allowing spectators get up close and personal with the race cars before they make their way up the hill.

We look forward to many years of vintage cars, modifieds, rally cars, sports cars, open wheel cars, you name it, all making their way up the hill.

As a reminder, there is NO camping (RV or tent) at the Lion’s Field in Empire over the weekend.  If you want a place to stay, check out Indigo Bluffs at https://www.indigobluffs.com. They are giving preferential rates to competitors and volunteers.  Check them out soon as spaces are filling up. Their rates are very favorable…and they are an event sponsor.