Hill Climbs

[newms]

My brother and I spent many days in the late 60s early 70s running up and down the hills in the woods next to weatherly and giant's despair while dad was either running his 1968 911L or we were all spectating.  I remember seeing oscar kovaleski put his mcclaren can am car into the woods and come hobbling out of the smoldering wreck with a broken leg...In those days we saw 904s and 906s and 356 speedsters all the time...plus real cobras and fire breathing vettes and the like...not to mention the many sprites and healeys and such.  Also remember speed trialing at someplace called bone stadium and also hillclimbs at hobo hill in NY state. 

I would enjoy catching up with anybody about those days.  Dad passed in 1973 and we have too few photos and memories.  He did make the cover of der gasser once in the 911 in a photo taken by vern lyle!  Hmmm...I thought I had that issue here somewhere...Anyway, thanks for the memories.

Rick Newman

[dmano]

Brian Minkin wrote:

Hill climbs are not as mellow as AX. They have some real risk and danger. Far more then DE or even club racing in my opinion.

If your not in the woods you are not driving hard enough, old hill racer once told me.

[jgrausa]

dmano wrote:

Brian Minkin wrote:

Hill climbs are not as mellow as AX. They have some real risk and danger. Far more then DE or even club racing in my opinion.

If your not in the woods you are not driving hard enough, old hill racer once told me.

It is always nice to see more P-cars at the PHA events. A couple years ago, Leif Wain in his GT2 was second behind George Bowland (perennial SCCA A Mod champion) at the Polish Mtn Hill climb outside Cumberland, MD (same people who put on the Cumberland Historic AX events).

There are many attractive features of hillclimbing with PHA:

1) It is mostly a social event, lots of stories, bench racing and "if I only had........." and of course plenty of adult refreshment.

2 The driver is soley responsible for any damage incurred. This is true 99% of the time, the other 1% may involve wildlife on the road. Last year I passed what I thought was chunk of tree in the middle of the road at about 90+mph. When I relayed info to event officials, they informed me that it was a turtle that had moved quickly off course. Other sightings include deer, turkeys, groundhogs, squirrels and yes a black bear. Any of the aforementioned "obstacles" could prove a significant hazard when at speed.

3) There is a distinct camaraderie as competitors assist fellow competitors when mechanical issues arise

4) It is relatively in-expensive

5) The variety of cars is truely amazing. Gear heads will enjoy walking the pits and talking to drivers in between their sessions.

6) At Weatherly, the whole town comes out for the event. It is not un-common for a kid to walk up to a driver and ask for his autograph in the event program. We oblige and then put the kid in the driver's seat while his mom takes a pic. Big grins all around.

Here is a pic of my ride at Pagoda. Got to admit, its a rush to drive a sports racer on a public street.



Joe

[betegh9]

jgrausa wrote:

dmano wrote:

Brian Minkin wrote:

Hill climbs are not as mellow as AX. They have some real risk and danger. Far more then DE or even club racing in my opinion.

If your not in the woods you are not driving hard enough, old hill racer once told me.

It is always nice to see more P-cars at the PHA events. A couple years ago, Leif Wain in his GT2 was second behind George Bowland (perennial SCCA A Mod champion) at the Polish Mtn Hill climb outside Cumberland, MD (same people who put on the Cumberland Historic AX events).

There are many attractive features of hillclimbing with PHA:

1) It is mostly a social event, lots of stories, bench racing and "if I only had........." and of course plenty of adult refreshment.

2 The driver is soley responsible for any damage incurred. This is true 99% of the time, the other 1% may involve wildlife on the road. Last year I passed what I thought was chunck of tree in the middle of the road at about 90+mph. When I relayed info to event officals, they informed me that it was a turtle that had moved quickly off course. Other sightings include deer, turkeys, groundhogs, squirrels and yes a black bear. Any of the aforementioned "obstacles" could prove a significant hazard when at speed.

3) There is a distinct camraderie as competitors assist fellow competitiors when mechanical issues arise

4) It is realtively in-expensive

5) The variety of cars is truley amazing. Gear heads will enjoy walking the pits and talking to drivers in between their sessions.

6) At Weatherly, the whole town comes out for the event. It is not un-common for a kid to walk up to a driver and ask for his autograph in the event program. We oblige and then put the kid in the driver's seat while his mom takes a pic. Big grins all around.

Here is a pic of my ride at Pagoda. Got to admit, its a rush to drive a sports racer on a public street.



Joe

Nice Joe.............It's about time you chimed in on our forum. Now we can pick on you!

[pahillclimber]

Rick,

Try emailing Ron Mann, PHA Historian,rmann@hersheys.com . He might have some pictures of your Dad. He has sent me a few pictures to me of my Dad and Mom over the years.

Rich

[jgrausa]

Hi Nick:
The season is almost here. Hershey AX this weekend with SCCA, Sat 92 pre regis as of tonight, Sunday 77 pre-regis. I may opt for Sunday as it looks warmer and less crowded. I have a new ride, sold the little red car, my wife would not ride in it. Now I have PS, PB, PW, A/C, power seats, electric windows AND a power top!! '94 968 cab. In its day, a competitive B Stock car. Lately RX-8 have ruled the class. They moved us to C stock for this year and the Boxsters moved to B. Should make for an intersting season.

Joe

[newms]

Not exactly Joe...the 1997-2004 base 986 will be in CS with you and the RX-8's and the rest of the old BS cars.  Good luck with your 968, I hope it turns!

And thanks for the thought Rich, will do.

 

RN

[betegh9]

jgrausa wrote:

Hi Nick:
The season is almost here. Hershey AX this weekend with SCCA, Sat 92 pre regis as of tonight, Sunday 77 pre-regis. I may opt for Sunday as it looks warmer and less crowded. I have a new ride, sold the little red car, my wife would not ride in it. Now I have PS, PB, PW, A/C, power seats, electric windows AND a power top!! '94 968 cab. In its day, a competitive B Stock car. Lately RX-8 have ruled the class. They moved us to C stock for this year and the Boxsters moved to B. Should make for an intersting season.

Joe

Joe,
A friend of NNJR has the same car.......He is using R888's on 15" wheels and was a blast at thunderbolt this last weekend...... check the Shattenbaum thread here on this forum.