The event, organised by Hunter Valley Off Road Racing Association, is renowned for being the best off road event in Australia with a first class racing format, facilities and track.

But it is the elusive Man of the Mountain title that hot-blooded competitors seek out when they come to Singleton.

The trophy is awarded to the driver with the fastest lap time recorded for the long course, which covers 96 km.

The event, run in an anti-clockwise direction, is designed to test drivers’ skills and car preparation over a variety of surfaces and rough terrain with conditions playing a major part.

With vehicles starting four abreast, some exciting racing is expected as the vehicles race wheel to wheel over the first jumps and into a tight s-bend.

“These close starts are certainly not for the faint-hearted and should result in some real action for the spectators,” said Hunter Valley Off Road Racing Association president Jan Hedley.

The Milbrodale venue not only offers drivers a superb track to compete but great views for spectators who come to cheer on their teams.

“The venue has great spectator value with the majority of the short course being within sight from spectator areas,” she said.

Eight different classes are offered with three different tracks to choose from including short, medium and long course.

Classes include Pro Buggy, Prolite Buggy, Super 1650cc Buggy, Sportsman Buggy, Performance 2WD, Extreme 2WD, Production 4WD and Extreme 4WD.

Prizes up for grabs include fastest prologue, best presented vehicle, best female performance and the Nigel Beeston Encouragement Award as well as outright and class winners.

Hedweld Engineering are the major sponsors of this year’s event.