Ashe County’s own Andy Lindley and his Toyota MR2 recorded the fastest time in his class last year. Drivers To Compete This Weekend In Hillclimb The 2005 Alleghany Chevrolet Blue Ridge Sports Car Hillclimb is set to kick off this weekend on May 14 and 15. Drivers from across the country will converge on Sparta to race the clock up the twisting turns of this Blue Ridge Mountain venue. Spectators are invited to watch for free as these drivers compete for the best time in their class and the King-of-the-Hill trophy for the fastest time during the two-day event. Timed runs are scheduled for both days, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The staging area is on Doughton Mountain Road at its intersection with Cheek Mountain Road. Doughton Mountain Road intersects NC 18 8.5 miles south of Sparta and 5 miles north of the Blue Ridge Parkway intersection in Laurel Springs. Signs direct spectators to the staging area. There is no admission charge for spectators, but a fee is charged for parking. Concessions and shuttle service to vantage points along the track will be available. Sparta is easily accessed from I-77. Take US 21 north, exit 83, near Elkin and follow it 30 miles up the up the Blue Ridge Mountains. The NC 18 intersection is the second traffic signal. This event is organized by the Central Carolinas Region of the Sports Car Club of America. The Central Carolinas Region sponsored the Chimney Rock Hillclimb for almost a half century. The event had a shorter run at Beech Mountain. This is its third running along Doughton Mountain Road. The Alleghany Chevrolet Blue Ridge Sports Car Hillclimb is great family fun. Spectators are advised to bring comfortable lawn chairs and appropriate clothing. May temperatures in these mountains can range from a comfortable shirt-sleeve spring day down to a cool nip. Hillclimbs are run, rain or shine. For directions and lodging information, go to www.sparta-nc.com or call the Alleghany County Chamber of Commerce, 372-5473 (local) or 800-372-5473 (toll-free long distance). More information on the event can be found at www.blueridgehillclimb.com.