Hillclimbing in the USA
Encyclopedia
In the United States, hill climbs
have a long tradition stretching back to the early days of motoring competition. Some are in the European-style and take place on long mountain courses, and in many cases spectators are either banned or heavily restricted for safety or insurance reasons.
held at Colorado Springs, Colorado
. This event has been entered by many internationally renowned drivers and multiple world rally
champions. The 12.4 miles (20 km) course finishes at a height of 14100 feet (4,297.7 m). The current unlimited class record holder is Nobuhiro Tajima
, with a time of 9:51.278. Additional races are held in Colorado, conducted by the Colorado Hill Climb Association (CHCA) during the summer months. These range in length from about two miles (3 km) to five miles (8 km) long. On Jun 26, 2011, Nobuhiro "Monster" Tajima has accomplished his goal of ascending Pikes Peak in under 10 minutes. As shown on the official Pikes Peak Timing page, Tajima obliterated his old record of 10:01.408, taking his Suzuki SX4 Hill Climb Special up Pikes Peak in 9:51.278.
on Mount Washington
, New Hampshire
is one of the oldest motorsports events in North America, first run in 1904. However, this climb has been held only sporadically since 1961. The event is being revived in 2011.
, Briggs Cunningham
, René Dreyfus
, John Fitch
and Miles Collier to name just a few. Started in 1950 as an official SCCA
event, it continues uninterrupted, as a vintage car race. Since 1973 the sanctioning body has been the Vintage Sports Car Club of America
.
The first event in 1950 was won by Bill Milliken
driving a FWD Miller, on a 6.25 mile shale road, in a time of 6 minutes, 59.4 sec, (54.2 m.p.h. average). The course was paved in 1953.
Key: R = Course Record.
, won the ninth annual Georgetown Divide hillclimb. Grant climbed in 1:44.48 sec, beating Ray Seher's existing record of 1:46 sec. Over 120 cars were entered on Old Marshall Grade in the Sacramento S.C.C. sponsored event.
, on October 13, 1906. The free-for-all class was won by William "Billy" Knipper
(Thomas
60-h.p.) in a time of 51.8 sec.
, April 30. Hoban, who holds the absolute record of 38.8 seconds, went up the hill in 39 seconds." Bernie Switkes (Porsche Carrera) won an event held there on October 15, 1967.
in a time of 112.804 sec. See: Virginia City Hillclimb.
Key: R = Course Record.
, was scheduled for July 9-10, 1966, on the 0.6 mile Corkscrew Hill course, a temporarily-closed public road. Steve Herbert, of Mansfield, Ohio, Porsche RS61, won the event in a record time of 37.4 seconds. "Herbert took the record away from Reg Howell of Dayton, who had run fastest last year with a time of 39.2 seconds."
in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania
is the oldest continuing motorsport event in the state. The mile-long course has a 110-degree turn and up to 20% grade as racers overlook the city.
Giants Despair Hillclimb is held just outside of Wilkes-Barre, PA, in Laurel Run Borough on East Northampton St. This community has been host to this event since it was first held in 1906. It is one of the oldest continuing motor racing events in the world. The Giant is rich in tradition. In its early years, all of the world’s major manufacturers sent their top cars and drivers to capture honors at the event. Early notables included Ralph DePalma
(Fiat Team) and Louis Chevrolet
driving for Buick. Rejuvenated in 1951, the list of Who’s Who in the driving world included Carroll Shelby
, first driver to break the magic minute, Roger Penske
and Oscar Koveleski. In 2002 Ron Moreck broke the 40 second mark. The hill starts out with a long gently rising straight about one quarter mile in length that leads into a fast left-hander that tests both nerves and skill. Then on to a short chute and "Devils Elbow," a sharply rising hairpin that goes off camber at its crest. Next is a series of ninety-degree turns connected by short straights. Then comes "The Incline," a meandering quarter mile stretch that rises at twenty- two degrees to the finish.
Location: Wilkes-Barre, PA
Length: 1 mile
Elevation Change: Approx. 650'
Number of Turns: 6
Record: Darryl Danko - 38.360 (2007)
hosts two events on the same stretch of road, the Pagoda and Duryea Hillclimbs. Pagoda is a shortened version of Duryea, starting at turn 2 and finishing at turn 9 of the longer course.
Location: Reading, PA
Length: 2.3 miles
Elevation Change: 800'
Number of Turns: 13
Record: Floyd Schrammeck - 1:47.659 (1993)
Length: 1 mile
Elevation Change: 450'
Number of Turns: 7
Record: Jim Miller - 48.881 (2002)
Location: Trout Run, PA
Length: 1.2 miles
Elevation Change: Approx. 580'
Number of Turns: 7
Record: Darryl Danko - 51.770 (2006)
Location: Weatherly, PA
Length: 1 mile
Elevation Change: Approx. 340'
Number of Turns: 6
Record: Ron Moreck - 48.515 (1998)
Length: 1.2 mile
Elevation Change: Approx. 500'
Number of Turns: 9
Record: George Bowland - 50.708 (2008)
The American Hill Climb is one of the oldest forms of motorcycle competition, dating back to the early 1900s. Bushkill Valley in Easton, Pennsylvania
is a famous motorcycle hill climb.
The races take place during the summer months on weekends. Spectators are prohibited and the club controls this by renting the hills for their own use during race weekends. Only at Okemo are spectators permitted to watch from the starting line. Non-racers can participate in events by volunteering as workers and these workers can be 16 years old or older.
The race hills, length of course, and breakout times for each course are as follows:
, won the fifth annual TenSleep Canyon hillclimb, driving a Chevrolet Corvette
Sting Ray, in a time of 4:48.1 sec.
Hillclimbing
Hillclimbing is a branch of motorsport in which drivers compete against the clock to complete an uphill course....
have a long tradition stretching back to the early days of motoring competition. Some are in the European-style and take place on long mountain courses, and in many cases spectators are either banned or heavily restricted for safety or insurance reasons.
Pikes Peak
The most famous hill climb in the US is the Pikes Peak International HillclimbPikes Peak International Hillclimb
The Pikes Peak International Hill Climb , also known as The Race to the Clouds, is an annual automobile and motorcycle hillclimb to the summit of Pikes Peak in Colorado, a distance of over 156 turns, climbing from the start at Mile 7 on Pikes Peak Highway at on grades averaging 7% over...
held at Colorado Springs, Colorado
Colorado
Colorado is a U.S. state that encompasses much of the Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains...
. This event has been entered by many internationally renowned drivers and multiple world rally
World Rally Championship
The World Rally Championship is a rallying series organised by the FIA, culminating with a champion driver and manufacturer. The driver's world championship and manufacturer's world championship are separate championships, but based on the same point system. The series currently consists of 13...
champions. The 12.4 miles (20 km) course finishes at a height of 14100 feet (4,297.7 m). The current unlimited class record holder is Nobuhiro Tajima
Nobuhiro Tajima
, is a hillclimb racer, tuning shop owner, rally team manager and former rally driver who is best known for his participation in Suzuki's rallying program as well as his triumphs at the Pikes Peak International Hillclimb.-Racing career:...
, with a time of 9:51.278. Additional races are held in Colorado, conducted by the Colorado Hill Climb Association (CHCA) during the summer months. These range in length from about two miles (3 km) to five miles (8 km) long. On Jun 26, 2011, Nobuhiro "Monster" Tajima has accomplished his goal of ascending Pikes Peak in under 10 minutes. As shown on the official Pikes Peak Timing page, Tajima obliterated his old record of 10:01.408, taking his Suzuki SX4 Hill Climb Special up Pikes Peak in 9:51.278.
Eagle Rock
The Eagle Rock Hill Climb is the oldest recorded official hill climb ever run in the United States. Started in 1901 in what was then West Orange, New Jersey, the first race was organized by none other than Willam K. Vanderbilt Jr. It lasted for several years until safety concerns by public officials closed it down in 1906. Anniversary races were held in 1951,1956, and 1976 but were more ceremonial then competitive.Climb to the Clouds
The "Climb to the Clouds" hillclimb on the 7.4 miles (11.9 km) course up the Mount Washington Auto RoadMount Washington Auto Road
The Mount Washington Auto Road is a toll road that extends from New Hampshire Route 16 in Pinkham Notch to the summit of Mount Washington in the White Mountains of the U.S. state of New Hampshire. The road climbs from an altitude of at the bottom to at the top, an average gradient of 11.6%...
on Mount Washington
Mount Washington (New Hampshire)
Mount Washington is the highest peak in the Northeastern United States at , famous for dangerously erratic weather. For 76 years, a weather observatory on the summit held the record for the highest wind gust directly measured at the Earth's surface, , on the afternoon of April 12, 1934...
, New Hampshire
New Hampshire
New Hampshire is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. The state was named after the southern English county of Hampshire. It is bordered by Massachusetts to the south, Vermont to the west, Maine and the Atlantic Ocean to the east, and the Canadian...
is one of the oldest motorsports events in North America, first run in 1904. However, this climb has been held only sporadically since 1961. The event is being revived in 2011.
Mount Equinox
The hill climb with the longest road, that has been continuously run, in the world is the Mount Equinox Hill Climb located in Arlington, Vermont just outside of Manchester. The length of the road is 5.2 miles and the elevation change is 3,100 feet. It contains more than 40 turns and cars have been clocked at breaking 100 MPH on the long straight ending at "The Saddle". The hill climb has been run by such famous drivers as Carroll ShelbyCarroll Shelby
Carroll Hall Shelby is an American retired automotive designer and racing driver. He is most well known for making Mustangs for Ford Motor Company known as Mustang Cobras which he has done since 1965...
, Briggs Cunningham
Briggs Cunningham
Briggs Swift Cunningham II was an American entrepreneur and sportsman, who raced automobiles and yachts. Born into a wealthy family, he became a racing car constructor, driver, and team owner as well as a sports car manufacturer and automobile collector.He skippered the victorious yacht Columbia...
, René Dreyfus
René Dreyfus
René Dreyfus was a French driver who raced automobiles for 14 years in the 1920s and 1930s, the Golden Era of Grand Prix motor racing.-Early life:...
, John Fitch
John Fitch
John Fitch may refer to:* John Fitch * John Fitch , early American inventor, built the first steamboat in the United States in 1786* John Fitch , Massachusetts settler for whom Fitchburg, Massachusetts is named...
and Miles Collier to name just a few. Started in 1950 as an official SCCA
Sports Car Club of America
The Sports Car Club of America is a club and sanctioning body supporting road racing, rallying, and autocross in the United States. Formed in 1944, it runs many programs for both amateur and professional racers.-History:...
event, it continues uninterrupted, as a vintage car race. Since 1973 the sanctioning body has been the Vintage Sports Car Club of America
VSCCA
The Vintage Sports Car Club of America is American auto racing club and sanctioning body focused on competition and sports cars made before 1959. It was founded in 1958 and currently runs a year-round schedule of track, hillclimb, rally, and social events primarily on the East Coast....
.
The first event in 1950 was won by Bill Milliken
William F. Milliken, Jr.
William F. Milliken, Jr. is a former aerospace engineer, automotive engineer and racecar driver. He was born in Old Town, Maine....
driving a FWD Miller, on a 6.25 mile shale road, in a time of 6 minutes, 59.4 sec, (54.2 m.p.h. average). The course was paved in 1953.
Mount Equinox Hill Climb past winners
| Year | Driver | Vehicle | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1954 | Bill Lloyd | Ferrari | 5:04 sec | June 20. |
| 1955 | Bill Lloyd | Maserati 3-liter | 4:53.5 sec | (63.75 m.p.h.) |
| 1956 | Bill Lloyd | Maserati #16 | 4:55.2 sec | June 17. |
| 1957 | Harry Carter | Jaguar D-type #80 | 4:44.6 sec R | 5.2 miles (65.77 m.p.h.) |
| 1958 | ||||
| 1959 | John Meyer | Cadillac Special | 4:46 sec | 5.2 miles. |
| 1960 | Gordon Mackenzie | Jaguar C-type | 4:46 sec | |
| 1961 | Stutz Plaisted | Cooper F2 | 4:35 sec R | |
| 1962 | Stutz Plaisted | 4:25 sec R | ||
| 1963 | Stutz Plaisted | Cooper-Buick | 4:31 sec | |
| 1967 | Jerry Crawford | Lola T70 Lola T70 The Lola T70 was built for sports car racing, popular in the mid to late 1960s. Developed by Lola Cars in 1965 in Great Britain, the T70 was made for endurance racing... |
4:11.4 sec | |
| 1968 | John Meyer | R | (75.241 m.p.h.) | |
| 1969 | John Meyer | Lola T70 Mk2-Chevrolet | 4:11.4 sec | (73.463 m.p.h.) |
Key: R = Course Record.
Georgetown, California
On June 26, 1966, Allen Grant, driving an A.C. Shelby CobraAC Cobra
The AC Cobra, also known colloquially as the Shelby Cobra in North America, is an Anglo-American sports car that was produced during the 1960s.-History and development:...
, won the ninth annual Georgetown Divide hillclimb. Grant climbed in 1:44.48 sec, beating Ray Seher's existing record of 1:46 sec. Over 120 cars were entered on Old Marshall Grade in the Sacramento S.C.C. sponsored event.
Ellenville, New York
In 1957 Vernon Bennett driving a Jaguar XK140 won an event here in 2:00.4 sec on a 1.5 mile course.Rochester, New York
A hillclimb was held at Dugdale Hill, Rochester, New YorkRochester, New York
Rochester is a city in Monroe County, New York, south of Lake Ontario in the United States. Known as The World's Image Centre, it was also once known as The Flour City, and more recently as The Flower City...
, on October 13, 1906. The free-for-all class was won by William "Billy" Knipper
Billy Knipper
William P. Knipper was an American racecar driver.A hillclimb was held at Dugdale Hill, Rochester, New York, on October 13, 1906. The free-for-all class was won by Billy Knipper in a time of 51.8 sec. -Indy 500 results:- References :...
(Thomas
Thomas Motor Company
E. R. Thomas Motor Company was a manufacturer of motorized bicycles, motorized tricycles, motorcycles, and automobiles in Buffalo, New York between 1900 and 1919.-Motorized Bicycles, Tricycles, and Motorcycles:...
60-h.p.) in a time of 51.8 sec.
Hobo Hill, New York
Hobo Hill, New York, 1967: "Dick Hoban's Porsche RSK was the fastest of 46 cars at the Hobo Hill hillclimb, Bellvale, N.Y.Bellvale, New York
Bellvale is a wooded hamlet in the town of Warwick in Orange County, New York, United States. Situated in the morning shadow of Bearfort Ridge along New York State Route 17A, Bellvale was the site of an iron forge destroyed by British Army soldiers in 1750; many of its homes and other structures...
, April 30. Hoban, who holds the absolute record of 38.8 seconds, went up the hill in 39 seconds." Bernie Switkes (Porsche Carrera) won an event held there on October 15, 1967.
Virginia City, Nevada
The first annual Martini Trophy Hillclimb was scheduled for 23-24 May, 1964. The event was won by Stan Peterson driving a Lotus 19Lotus 19
The Lotus 19 or Monte Carlo was a mid-engine sports-racing car designed by Colin Chapman of Lotus and built from 1960 until 1963. The 19 was a widened version of the successful Formula One 18.-The Lotus 19:...
in a time of 112.804 sec. See: Virginia City Hillclimb.
Chimney Rock, North Carolina
Chimney Rock Hill Climb, North Carolina, 1956-1995: "The first races were 2.7 miles, had 18 turns, and one mandatory stop approximately halfway up. In 1960, the trek was reduced to 1.9 miles and 13 turns; the dreaded halfway stop was eliminated. In 1976, safety issues cut the course down to 1.8 miles."Chimney Rock Hill Climb past winners
| Year | Driver | Vehicle | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1956 | ||||
| 1957 | ||||
| 1958 | Phil Payne | Davis Special | ||
| 1959 | Buddy Horton | Elva Elva (car manufacturer) Elva was a sports and racing car manufacturing company based in Bexhill, then Hastings and Rye, East Sussex, United Kingdom. The company was founded in 1955 by Frank G. Nichols. The name comes from the French phrase elle va .-Racing cars:... -Climax |
4.00.3 sec | April 25/26. |
| 1960 | Ted Tidwell | Elva Mk.V | 2:30.6 sec | April 24. |
| Bud Schuster | Lotus Le Mans | 2:28.8 sec R | ||
| 1961 | Spencer Greenhill | Lotus FJ | 2:21.0 sec R | |
| Frank Harrison | Nov 25/26. | |||
| 1962 | Frank Harrison | Cooper FJ | ||
| Frank Harrison | Lola FJ | 2:16.6 sec R | Nov 24/25. | |
| 1963 | Frank Harrison | Lola-Ford 1,500 c.c. | 2:15.8 sec R | May 4. |
| Ted Tidwell | Porsche S-90 | 2:20.4 sec | ||
| 1964 | Ted Tidwell | Porsche S-90 | ||
| Ted Tidwell | Porsche 904 GTS | 2:11.2 sec R | Nov 28/29. | |
| 1965 | Ray Newman | Lotus 18 | 2:19.12 sec | April 24/25. |
| Dec 4 Cancelled. | ||||
| 1966 | John Scott | A.C. Cobra 4.7-litre | 2:10.5 sec R | April 24. |
| Nov 27/8. | ||||
| 1967 | Ted Tidwell | Bobsy-Porsche | 2:26.4 sec | April 22/23. Wet. |
| 1968 | John Scott | Cobra | 2:12.0 sec | April 27/28. |
| 1969 | John Scott | Cobra | 2:09.144 sec R | April 20. |
| 1970 | Ted Tidwell | Zink Formula B | 2:23.546 sec | May 3. Wet. |
| 1971 | Harry Ingle | Zink Super Vee Formula Super Vee Formula Super Vee was a type of open-wheel motor created to act as a platform for the promotion of VW products, playing much the same role in the 1970s as formulae such as Formula Renault play today. The idea for Formula Super Vee is generally attributed to Josef Hopen, who worked as the Special... |
1:59.142 sec | May 1/2. |
| 1972 | Harry Ingle | 1:57.314 sec R | ||
| Harry Ingle | Zink Super Vee | |||
| 1973 | John Finger | Formula Super Vee | ||
| 1974 | John Finger | Formula Super Vee | 1:51.806 sec | |
| 1975 | Gary Davis | Volkswagen Special | April 26-27. | |
| 1976 | Gary Davis | Volkswagen Special | 1:54.8 sec | |
| 1977 | ||||
| 1978 | John Finger | |||
| 1995 | April 28-30. Final event. | |||
Key: R = Course Record.
Bellefontaine, Ohio
The 13th annual running of the Bellefontaine Hillclimb, seven miles east Bellefontaine, OhioBellefontaine, Ohio
Bellefontaine is a city in and the county seat of Logan County, Ohio, United States. The population was 13,069 at the 2000 census. It is the center of the Bellefontaine Micropolitan Statistical Area, as defined by the United States Census Bureau in 2003...
, was scheduled for July 9-10, 1966, on the 0.6 mile Corkscrew Hill course, a temporarily-closed public road. Steve Herbert, of Mansfield, Ohio, Porsche RS61, won the event in a record time of 37.4 seconds. "Herbert took the record away from Reg Howell of Dayton, who had run fastest last year with a time of 39.2 seconds."
Pennsylvania
Hillclimbing in Pennsylvania is organized by the Pennsylvania Hillclimb Association (PHA).Giants Despair Hillclimb
Giants Despair HillclimbGiants Despair Hillclimb
The Giants Despair Hillclimb is a hillclimb established in 1906 just outside Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania in Laurel Run, Pennsylvania, United States. The contest was first run in conjunction with Wilkes-Barre's centennial celebration. It is the oldest continuing motorsport event in Pennsylvania...
in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania
Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania
Wilkes-Barre is a city in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania, the county seat of Luzerne County. It is at the center of the Wyoming Valley area and is one of the principal cities in the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre metropolitan area, which had a population of 563,631 as of the 2010 Census...
is the oldest continuing motorsport event in the state. The mile-long course has a 110-degree turn and up to 20% grade as racers overlook the city.
Giants Despair Hillclimb is held just outside of Wilkes-Barre, PA, in Laurel Run Borough on East Northampton St. This community has been host to this event since it was first held in 1906. It is one of the oldest continuing motor racing events in the world. The Giant is rich in tradition. In its early years, all of the world’s major manufacturers sent their top cars and drivers to capture honors at the event. Early notables included Ralph DePalma
Ralph DePalma
Ralph De Palma was an Italian-American racecar driving champion, most notably winner of the 1915 Indianapolis 500. His entry at the International Motorsports Hall of Fame estimates that he won about 2000 races...
(Fiat Team) and Louis Chevrolet
Louis Chevrolet
Louis-Joseph Chevrolet was a Swiss-born American race car driver of French descent, co-founder of the Chevrolet Motor Car Company in 1911 and later, the Frontenac Motor Corporation in 1916 which made racing parts for Ford's Model T.-Early life:Born in 1878 in La Chaux-de-Fonds, a center of...
driving for Buick. Rejuvenated in 1951, the list of Who’s Who in the driving world included Carroll Shelby
Carroll Shelby
Carroll Hall Shelby is an American retired automotive designer and racing driver. He is most well known for making Mustangs for Ford Motor Company known as Mustang Cobras which he has done since 1965...
, first driver to break the magic minute, Roger Penske
Roger Penske
Roger S. Penske is the owner of the automobile racing team Penske Racing, the Penske Corporation, and other automotive related businesses. A winning racer in the late 1950s, Penske was named 1961's Sports Car Club of America Driver of the Year by Sports Illustrated...
and Oscar Koveleski. In 2002 Ron Moreck broke the 40 second mark. The hill starts out with a long gently rising straight about one quarter mile in length that leads into a fast left-hander that tests both nerves and skill. Then on to a short chute and "Devils Elbow," a sharply rising hairpin that goes off camber at its crest. Next is a series of ninety-degree turns connected by short straights. Then comes "The Incline," a meandering quarter mile stretch that rises at twenty- two degrees to the finish.
Location: Wilkes-Barre, PA
Length: 1 mile
Elevation Change: Approx. 650'
Number of Turns: 6
Record: Darryl Danko - 38.360 (2007)
Duryea/Pagoda
The scenic route on the hill overlooking Reading, PennsylvaniaReading, Pennsylvania
Reading is a city in southeastern Pennsylvania, USA, and seat of Berks County. Reading is the principal city of the Greater Reading Area and had a population of 88,082 as of the 2010 census, making it the fifth most populated city in the state after Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Allentown and Erie,...
hosts two events on the same stretch of road, the Pagoda and Duryea Hillclimbs. Pagoda is a shortened version of Duryea, starting at turn 2 and finishing at turn 9 of the longer course.
Duryea Hillclimb
The Blue Mountain Region SCCA hosts the longest hill in the PHA series. Named for the obscure automobile maker and following the same route that Charles Duryea used to test his cars, this is a 2.3 miles (3.7 km) hill located in a beautiful city park in downtown Reading. With a history dating back to 1951, festivities this year will include a celebration of the 100th anniversary of the automobile. Possibly the most diverse and challenging hill in the Northeast, Duryea boasts 11 turns (most of which are negotiated in the first half of the course) coupled with some high (140 mph) speeds at the top.Location: Reading, PA
Length: 2.3 miles
Elevation Change: 800'
Number of Turns: 13
Record: Floyd Schrammeck - 1:47.659 (1993)
Pagoda Hillclimb
This is run on the same mountain as Duryea. Named after the Pagoda which decorates turn 10, this is a handling course which offers all the challenges of turns 3-8 (including the famous turn 6), while leaving out the high power final straight of Duryea.Length: 1 mile
Elevation Change: 450'
Number of Turns: 7
Record: Jim Miller - 48.881 (2002)
"Rose Valley" Hillclimb
Located just north of Williamsport, PA, off Route 15 in the town of Trout Run, PA. This event is usually held in late July or early August. It began life in 1967 and has been a favorite of many drivers. This is a hill with a dual personality. Leaving the start line you get up to speed very quickly as there is only a slight elevation change on the bottom portion of the hill. You encounter several turns that are fast and leave one to decide whether to brake or to brake and downshift are required for a fast run through this lower section. Suddenly, as you exit the last of these turns, you are met by the second phase of this hill - Big Bend - a steeply rising hairpin turn. From here on its uphill through series of kinks and bends that require your utmost attention before reaching the finish line.Location: Trout Run, PA
Length: 1.2 miles
Elevation Change: Approx. 580'
Number of Turns: 7
Record: Darryl Danko - 51.770 (2006)
Weatherly
The season starts and ends with the Weatherly Hillclimbs. These two events are held on the outskirts of Weatherly, PA, a quiet little town that has been hosting these events since 1960. If engineers designed a public road to be a thrill ride, this is it. The hill consists of uphill straights leading into hairpin turns, one called "the Wall" that has to be seen and driven to be believed, followed by a hairpin turn, a short run to another hard right hand turn and then the "Jump" where most cars leave contact with the pavement. From this point the rest of the hill consists of a short straight leading to a long sweeping turn to the finish that tests your tires grip on the road as well as your nerve. This hill is a rush from start to finish.Location: Weatherly, PA
Length: 1 mile
Elevation Change: Approx. 340'
Number of Turns: 6
Record: Ron Moreck - 48.515 (1998)
Polish Mountain
Although situated approximately one mile south of the Mason-Dixon line near Gilpin, MD, this is a PHA championship event.Length: 1.2 mile
Elevation Change: Approx. 500'
Number of Turns: 9
Record: George Bowland - 50.708 (2008)
The American Hill Climb is one of the oldest forms of motorcycle competition, dating back to the early 1900s. Bushkill Valley in Easton, Pennsylvania
Easton, Pennsylvania
Easton is a city in Northampton County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 26,800 as of the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Northampton County....
is a famous motorcycle hill climb.
Vermont
The New England Sports Car Club Council (NESCCC) is formed by three smaller clubs; the Killington Sports Car Club (KSCC), the Sports Car Club of New Hampshire (SCCNH), and the Sports Car Club of Vermont (SCCV). The groups sponsor a series of hill climbing events on paved mountain access roads in Vermont using common rules under the New England Hillclimb Association (NEHA). These events are staggered start, timed trials and club members as well as novices are welcome to participate provided their car passes a technical inspection and the driver meets the guidelines. In addition to numerous other safety measures, the driver must be over 18 years old, drive with a Snell® approved helmet, and have a 2.5 lb ABC fire extinguisher in his vehicle. The club's liability insurance for the race events covers a driver's damage to another car or any emergency medical treatment a driver may require. Other safety measures are outlined in the club's rules and regulations. The council meets yearly to review, update, and change these rules and regulations. One rule is that a car need not have a roll cage and other additional safety measures unless they exceed a course's breakout time. If a racer exceeds the breakout time more than once, they are required to have a roll cage in their car.The races take place during the summer months on weekends. Spectators are prohibited and the club controls this by renting the hills for their own use during race weekends. Only at Okemo are spectators permitted to watch from the starting line. Non-racers can participate in events by volunteering as workers and these workers can be 16 years old or older.
The race hills, length of course, and breakout times for each course are as follows:
- Ascutney in Windsor - 2.9 miles, breakout time 3:20
- Bolton - 1.8 miles, breakout time 1:32 (has not been run since 2004)
- Burke in Lyndonville - 2.1 miles, breakout time 2:30
- Okemo in Ludlow - 2.7 miles, breakout time 2:43
- Philo in Charlotte - 1.1 miles, breakout time 1:20
Rib Mountain, Wisconsin
On June 15-16, 1957, the Milwaukee region of the S.C.C.A. held their first national event at the highest point in the state of Wisconsin. John Kilborn (Ferrari Monza) set fastest time of the day in 1.299 minutes. The organizers used a novel system of timing, measuring in minutes to three decimal places.Ten Sleep, Wyoming
On August 15, 1965, Phillip Lyman, of Ten Sleep, WyomingTen Sleep, Wyoming
ŋTen Sleep is a town in Washakie County, Wyoming, United States. It is located in the Big Horn Basin in the western foothills of the Big Horn Mountains, about 26 miles east of Worland and 59 miles west of Buffalo....
, won the fifth annual TenSleep Canyon hillclimb, driving a Chevrolet Corvette
Chevrolet Corvette
The Chevrolet Corvette is a sports car by the Chevrolet division of General Motors that has been produced in six generations. The first model, a convertible, was designed by Harley Earl and introduced at the GM Motorama in 1953 as a concept show car. Myron Scott is credited for naming the car after...
Sting Ray, in a time of 4:48.1 sec.