The Mt Keira Challenge will be held on April 20-22 and will feature a 1.9km route along Mt Keira Rd, where road luge riders are expected to reach speeds of up to 85km/h.

Among the riders will be Kiama's Nic McKirdy, who has just been named 2011 Australian Classic Luge champion.

The 32-year-old, who has travelled the world chasing the sport, said the three-day race represented the first world cup luge event to be held in the region.

The event, which has been sanctioned by Wollongong City Council, is being organised by the Australian Skateboard Racing Association, with assistance from the International Gravity Sports Association.

McKirdy said divisions would include the classic luge and street luge events.

He said the classic luge was where street luge originated.

"In classic, what they've done is pretty much restricted every aspect of the board and that keeps the cost down and provides a more even playing field where the emphasis is on the rider as opposed to the equipment," McKirdy said.

"They're predominantly made of wood and you're looking at $300 to put it together.

"With street luge, the sky's the limit. Most of the boards run six to eight wheels, they're usually made of metal and composites and range from $800 up to around $8000."

McKirdy said the Mt Keira event would include live entertainment. The Mt Keira Scout Camp had been booked for rider accommodation.

He said about 30 street luge riders in the Illawarra and Greater Sydney area were expected to compete in the event.

"The fact I get a world cup race right on my back door, having grown up in the area, this is really going to be a highlight for me. I'm very excited," McKirdy said.