Mount Washington Hillclimb Auto Race
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The Mount Washington Hillclimb Auto Race, also known as the Climb to the Clouds, is a timed hillclimb auto race up the Mount Washington Auto Road to the summit of Mount Washington in New Hampshire.[1] It is the oldest auto race in the country, first run on July 11th and 12th, 1904, predating the Indianapolis 500 and the Pikes Peak Hillclimb.[1][2]
[edit] History
The race was held off and on from 1904-1961, then not again until 1990, when Howie Wemyss, manager of the Auto Road, Robert Brotherus, a Finnish rally driver, and 11-time Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) ProRally champion, John Buffum, brought the race back.[1]
Originally created by early auto manufactures to showcase their vehicles, the Auto Road was chosen to prove the ability of these "horseless carriages".[1][2] The inaugural "Climb to the Clouds" featured many makes of cars including Rambler, Mercedes, Oldsmobile, Stanley Steamer, Pierce, and a single Daimler, which were placed in categories based on their price.[2] Although the Daimler and the Stanley Steamer driven by F. E. Stanley were favored, Harry Harkness drove to victory in a Mercedes, which ascended the 7.4-mile (11.9 km) course in 24 minutes, 37 seconds.[2] This was quite impressive compared to the 2 hours, 10 minutes it took the first automobile to climb the Auto Road in 1899, a Stanley Locomobile.[1]
The event was won by Erwin "Cannonball" Baker in 1928 with a time of 14:49.6 seconds, driving a Franklin.[2] He won again in 1932. Carroll Shelby drove a specially prepared Ferrari roadster to a record run of 10 minutes 21.8 seconds on his way to victory in 1956.[2] In 1961, Bill Rutan drove a Porsche Carrera-powered Volkswagen to set a record time of 9:13.0, which stood until the race returned in 1990.[2] Upon the race's return, Tim O'Neil set a time of 7:45, driving a VW Golf rally car.[2] The current record is 6 minutes, 41.99 seconds, set by Frank Sprongl of Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, driving an Audi S2 in 1998.[1] The fastest speed ever clocked was 113 mph by 6-time New England Hillclimb Champion Jerry Driscoll of East Randolph, Vermont, driving a 600 hp "Hillclimb Special" in 1999.[1]
The last fullblown hillclimb race was in 2001, won by Paul Choiniere with a time of 4:59.73 on a weather-shortened course in his 500 hp methanol-fueled, all wheel drive Hyundai Tiburon.[3] In 2004 the event was restarted as a historic event, with emphasis placed on vintage cars.[3]
[edit] Sources
- ^ a b c d e f g Climb to the Clouds Cancelled for 2002. rallyracingnews.com. Retrieved on 2008-01-23.
- ^ a b c d e f g h History of the Climb to the Clouds Event. climbtotheclouds.com. Retrieved on 2008-01-23.
- ^ a b History of the Climb to the Clouds Race (continued). climbtotheclouds.com/. Retrieved on 2008-01-23.
