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Hillclimbing (also known as hill climbing, speed hillclimbing or speed hill climbing) is a branch of motorsport in which drivers compete against the clock to complete an uphill course.
It is one of the oldest forms of motorsport, since the first known hillclimb at La Turbie near Nice, France took place as long ago as 31 January 1897. The hillclimb held at Shelsley Walsh, in Worcestershire, England is the world's oldest continuously staged motorsport event still staged on its original course, having been first run in 1905.[citation needed]
Hillclimbing usually provides good spectator access and viewing of the action. While the sport is very competitive, it is also has a friendly atmosphere and attracts men and women competitors of all ages.[citation needed]
A very different kind of hillclimbing is done with offroad motorcycles going straight up extremely steep hills. The winner is the one which could climb the highest, or in the case more than one made it to the top, the fastest. This kind of motorsport, which requires skill as well as bravery, has a long tradition in the USA and has been popular in France and Austria since the 1980s. The Austrian event in Rachau focused on crowd entertainment, and inspired many similar events.[citation needed]
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Europe
Hillclimbs in continental Europe are usually held on courses which are several kilometres long, taking advantage of the available hills and mountains including the Alps, except in Germany, and off course in those countries which have no share of this region. The most prestigious competition is the FIA European Hill Climb Championship.
British Isles
In the British Isles, the format is different from that in other parts of Europe, with courses being much shorter (Harewood Hillclimb is the UK's longest permanent hillclimb at 1448 meters) - more akin to uphill sprints - and almost always taking under one minute for the fastest drivers to complete. For this reason, cars and drivers do not generally cross between the British and continental European championships.
Hill Climbing is also relevant to motorcycle sport; the governing body is the National Hill Climb Association[1]
France
The French hill climb championship, or Championnat de France de la Montagne, has been one of the most competitive of the European national series, attracting many new F2 and 2-litre sports cars during the 1970s and early 1980s. Notable champions from this period include Pierre Maublanc (1967 and 1968), Daniel Rouveyran (1969), Hervé Bayard (1970) and Jimmy Mieusset (1971, 1972, 1973 and 1974). The best-known Course de Côte are Mont Ventoux and Mont-Dore.
Italy
In the italian championship, also known as Campionato Italiano Velocità Montagna, there are the most long and challenging hillclimbs like Trento-Bondone, Coppa Bruno Carotti (the italian races in FIA European Hill Climb Championship), Pedavena-Croce d'Aune, Monte Erice and Verzegnis-Sella Chianzutan, which are also the most known. Hillclimbing in Italy became famous in the 1970s, early 1980s, between 1994 and 2000 and at the end of the 2000s, especially in the last 2 periods thanks to TV services, magazines and live internet commentaries. The most famous italian drivers, who won a lot even in Europe, are Ludovico Scarfiotti (famous Ferrari driver who won the F1 race in Monza 1966), "Noris" (he won almost every race in Italy until 1972, when he died), Domenico Scola (who runs a Sport Prototype even now at the age of 80), Mauro Nesti (over 20 championships between Italy and Europe, from the 1970s to the 1990s), Ezio Baribbi (three times Italian champion), Fabio Danti (1994 Italian champion, 1995-96 European champion, died in 2000), Pasquale Irlando (Italian champion in the early 1990s and European champion in the last 1990s, the one who turned the Osella PA20 in the monster we all know), Franz Tschager (three times European champion in the early 2000s), Simone Faggioli (the real Italian champion of the 2000s) and Denny Zardo (Italian champion in 2005 and 2008, European champion in 2003, he wins with every car he drives)
Malta
Hillclimbing is a very popular sport on the island of Malta. Numerous events are organised annually by the Island Car Club. Participants are divided according to their type of vehicle into various categories ranging from single seaters to saloon cars.
Romania
Hillclimbing is popular in Romania among drivers with limited financial resources. It has a long tradition in the country. The first major event was the Feleac course, in Cluj. From 1930, it was a round in the European Hill Climb Championship. The record of the Feleac was set by famous German racer Hans Stuck in 1938, driving a 600 bhp (450 kW) Auto Union Grand Prix car. Stuck stormed through the 7 km gravel course in 2'56". Despite several attempts in the 70s, Stuck's record was never beaten. In recent decades, the course was widened in order to be suitable for intense traffic and therefore is considered inappropriate for auto racing. Today's hillclimbing in Romania is referred to as Viteză în Coastă or Campionatul Naţional de Viteză pe Traseu Montan (VTM). In 2006, the Romanian National Hillclimbing Championship had 7 events, each containing two rounds (each scoring separately) held on Friday and Sunday respectively, with Saturday being a rest day. The seven events were Câmpulung Muscel (April 7/9), Braşov (April 28/30), Reşiţa (May 19/21), Bálványos (June 9/11), Abrud (July 28/30), Reşiţa (8/10 September) and Râşnov (September 29/October 1).
Sweden
In Sweden, hillclimb events are run along different lines, with dirt bikes and four-wheel drive machines literally driving up the side of a roadless hill.
Switzerland
Motor racing was banned in Switzerland in the aftermath of the fatal collision between cars at the 24 Hours of Le Mans race in 1955. However, this prohibition does not extend to events where drivers compete only indirectly via the clock. Events such as rallies, hillclimbs and slaloms are very popular, including the FIA European Hill Climb Championship. The most known hillclimb races are the Gurnigelrennen, the course en côte Ayent - Anzère and the course en côte St. Ursanne - Les Rangiers.
North America
United States
In the United States, hill climbs in the European style take place on long mountain courses, and in many cases spectators are either banned or heavily restricted for safety or insurance reasons. The most famous hill climb in the US is the Pikes Peak International Hillclimb held at Colorado Springs, Colorado. This event has been entered by many internationally renowned drivers and multiple world rally champions. The 12.4-mile (20.0 km) course finishes at a height of 14,100 feet (4,300 m). The current unlimited class record holder is Nobuhiro Tajima, with a time of 10:01.41. 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.
The "Climb to the Clouds" hillclimb on the 7.4-mile (11.9 km) course up the Mount Washington Auto Road on Mount Washington, New Hampshire is the oldest motorsport event in North America, first run in 1904. However, this climb has been held only sporadically since 1961.[1]
Pennsylvania
Hillclimbing in Pennsylvania is organized by the Pennsylvania Hillclimb Association (PHA)
www.pahillclimb.org
The Giants Despair Hillclimb in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania is the oldest continuing motorsport in the state. The mile-long course has a 110-degree turn and up to 20% grade as racers overlook the city.[2] 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 brake the magic minute), Roger Penske, Oscar Koveleski, etc. 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.
Length- 1 mile
Elevation Change- Approx 650'
Turns-6
Record- Darryl Danko 38.360(2007)
The scenic route on the hill overlooking Reading, Pennsylvania 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-mile (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 - The British cars get their revenge at this event, which 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
Hill Record Jim Miller - 48.881 (2002)
"Rose Valley" Hillclimb is 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, thanks in part to the warm welcome extended to all by this small rural community. 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
Hill 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
Hill 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
Hill 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.
Canada
Canada's best known hillclimb event is the Knox Mountain Hillclimb, held in Kelowna, British Columbia. It a 3.5 km paved road, climbing 245 m elevation. It has run annually since the 1950s, attracting drivers from the Pacific Northwest.
México
Hillclimb races were held in México in the 1960s and 1970s in places like El Chico, Puebla and Lagunas de Zempoala.
In July 27, 1969, the best Mexican driver in México (Pedro Rodriguez wasn't racing in the National Championship), Moisés Solana, died in the "Hill Climb Valle de Bravo-Bosencheve".
Since that time, hillclimbs have not been held in México.
Oceania
Australia
Hillclimbing in Australia dates back to the early 1900s, and was most prevalent in the city of Melbourne, at locations such as Templestowe Heidelberg and Rob Roy. The course at Templestowe still exists today in the Domain Wetlands. The course was never trafficable due to the massive incline known as "the wall", with an incline ratio of 1:2.5 is thought to be the steepest bitumen surface in Australia[2], and so was only used during race events. Burgundy Street in Heidelberg was used for early Hillclimbs.
The course at Rob Roy hosts race meets regularly, including rounds of the Victorian Hillclimb Championships . It is located just off Clintons Road, Christmas Hills in an area of Smiths Gully known as Rob Roy.
Mt Tarrengower near Maldon in Central Victoria has an annual Hillclimb hosted by the Victorian Vintage Sports Car Club, Bendigo Light Car Club and the Historic Motorcycle Racing Association of Victoria. The event is held on the 3rd weekend of October. It is now a "classics" only event - after a serious accident in the 1970s. Vintage motorcycles are now a feature of this event. Reigning "King of the Mountain" for motorcycles is Mick Pannayi on a Featherbed Norton 750 twin.
South Australia features Collingrove, the annual Mount Alma Mile and the annual Legend Of The Lakes Hillclimb. The
New Zealand
Hillclimbing is a popular club event in New Zealand, although a number of international competitors and foreign motor racing enthusiasts attend the premiere hillclimb event on the New Zealand motor racing calendar.
Race to the Sky is based near Queenstown. Held every Easter since 1998, it starts from the floor of the Cardrona Valley and runs uphill for 15 kilometres through 137 corners to the top, climbing from 1,500 ft (460 m) to 5,000 ft (1,500 m) averaging a 1:11 gradient.
The driver with the greatest number of "Race to the Sky" outright wins (8) is Nobuhiro "Monster" Tajima, driving his custom built Suzuki Escudo hillclimb special vehicle.
The organisers have stated the 2007 event will be the final Race to the Sky.[citation needed]
See also
References
- ^ http://nhca.co.uk/Home/nhca.htm NHCA
- ^ Nardone, Ralph (May 30, 2006). "Giant's Despair Hill Climb marks centennial". Northeast Business Journal (Northeast PA Business Journal). Archived from the original on 2009-06-16. http://www.webcitation.org/5hZkCj1Nj. Retrieved 2009-06-16.
External links
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