Steve Schaeffer wrote:
>
> Hey All,
> Just thought I'd spread the word of an extremely fun and (for us) unique
> SOVREN event that was held this past weekend. Nearly 60 cars participated
> in a revival of the Mary Hill Loops Road hillclimb in eastern Washington
> State. Fellow digesti Dick Buckingham can tell you more of the actual
> details, but speaking as a participant I just can't tell you how pleased I
> was with the event. The road was about 2.1 miles in length with a 1000ft
> (305m) elevation gain. The event was held along the huge golden
> wheat-covered volcanic bluffs of the Columbia River.
>
> We had a concours on Saturday about 5 miles from the hillclimb, so we had
> the state troopers essentially close the road down and give us a guided
> transit to the museum. Imagine following nearly 60 vintage race cars of all
> types down public roads. I was following a Formula Vee and had a Porsce 906
> on my tail. We caused quite a ruckus pulling into the Sam Hill Museum
> grassy area.
>
> The hillclimb road has the distinction of being the first asphalt paved road
> in this state, dating back to 1913. The hillclimb was an SCCA event from
> 1955-1963 when the road was washed out. The road has been repaved and is
> now closed off to the public, it is on private lands. SOVREN secured the
> road and organized this revival hillclimb. For an event not held for 36
> years or so, they did a hell of job with all the logistics of getting cars
> and spectators up and down the road (there was no loop back, just THE road).
>
> The course wound its way through the steepest of culverts. We were warned
> that on some turns there probably wasn't a long enough cable to reach the
> car once it had gone down the culvert. After walking the course, I saw that
> they weren't kidding, we were staring death in the face on this hillclimb.
>
> Driving the course was just wonderful, imagine finding the twistiest
> switchback road you could find and having your way with it. Most of the
> approx. 27 corners were quite blind, which limited speeds considerably.
> Nobody had 'home course' advantage on this track, so it really was a test of
> driver skill and how comfortable you felt with your car at the limit
> (Sunbeam Tigers need not apply! :) ) I got into 3rd gear a few times, but
> mostly a 2nd gear track that really rewarded a locked rear end. I was able
> to dirt track it around several corners, all in view of the folks up above.
> It was 2:27 of pure adrenaline rush, nothing like it. Got to watch those
> cold tires and brakes the first few corners.
>
> I'll try to post a few photos on my website soon.
>
> Steve S.
> Seattle, WA
> '67 Alfa Romeo GTV
> Just another satisfied customer
For any Easterners interested, SCCA still sponsors a series of
hillclimbs and Solo 1 events on the East Coast primarily in PA. We have
been running the series for years in a vintage car and it's great fun.
It you want to give it a try, contact me for more info.
John Hamilton
VainGlory Racing
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