Hershey Hill Climb

[JPSmit]

I stumbled on these this morning - So much to love here.

In the first video, I am fascinated as much by the parking lot (remembering too that people drove there - drove - and drove home)

Rarely in the early 60's in the USofA would you see so many foreign cars in one parking lot - making me realize how different a world sports car driving would have been in those days. (Interestingly in the earlier videos, the only domestic breed is Corvette making me think they were more sports car than muscle car in people's eyes - and Muscle cars were only just being invented in 1964)

At any rate, enjoy the simplicity and even the colour of the film.

 

[JPSmit]

 

[Gliderman8]

I’ve been there many times as it’s very close to where I live. Lots of vintage cars to see.

 

[DNK]

One of our forum brethren used to run it all the time

 

[Bob McElwee]

Very enjoyable, thanks JP. I wonder if any of the spectators ever were injured, no way they could be that close to the course now days. Also would have loved if it would have had sound. And finally - white walls!

 

[3798j]

My first Hershey Hillclimb was 1965, from then I didn't miss one until the Hershey Hotel pulled the plug after the fall 1970 climb. The course was the backroad leading up to the hotel. There were two climbs held a year (Spring & Fall) hosted by the Appalachian Sports Car Club and part of the Pennsylvania Hillclimb Association. As many as 200 entrants and 10,000 spectators. It was absolutely wonderful. The tree lined course was pretty safe for the fans...not so much for cars and drivers (worst injury I recall was a broken leg). Back then, Corvettes were definitely considered as the high powered competition in SCCA A & B production for the Cobras. Guess I should also add this road is less than 4 miles from my home.

 

[John Turney]

A Ford Falcon station wagon in 1960.

 

[3798j]

From 2008 to 2019 the hillclimb returned. Now named The Ascent, it was held in conjunction with the concours, The Elegance. No classes but runs were timed. Luminaries like Chasing Classic Cars', Wayne Carini (his TR4) brought vehicles. Even though it was more for fun and nostalgia, drivers being drivers made hard runs.

 

[DrEntropy]

Most entertaining! Wonder how many of those machines have survived.

In the mid and late fifties the parents attended the Cumberland events. I got to go with them only once, in '59. There are 8MM movies ~someplace~ but I've no idea where. Some of the folks who raced there went on to become well known. Some regionally, a couple, internationally.

 

[pdplot]

Brought back memories. I have some 16mm footage of races from several airport races from the late 1950s. Maybe I can get them posted here. Ferraris, Scarabs, Sadler Special, etc.

 

[Silverghost]

Where might someone find the participant list for these? There's a chance - a chance - the Mercedes Gullwing in the 1960 event was my Dad. I know he owned one about then and was a big fan of the Hillclimb. He took me once when I was 6-7? That would have been 69 or 70.

 

[3798j]

Where might someone find the participant list for these? There's a chance - a chance - the Mercedes Gullwing in the 1960 event was my Dad. I know he owned one about then and was a big fan of the Hillclimb. He took me once when I was 6-7? That would have been 69 or 70.

This might help...It's the website of the Pa Hillclimb Association. Click on "AllTime Competitor List"...it's a pdf showing names of who participated.

http://pahillclimb.org/pha-past-results/

 

[DrEntropy]

I see a few names on that list I recognize. Doc Wyllie and wife Peg, as two. He worked for Gulf Research in Pittsburgh, had a Mini faster than blazes in the later years. A lot of the other drivers considered him a bit arrogant, called him "Doctor God".

Missed a pal of dad's, guy named Pete Sachs. T-Series in the early fifties, a bit later a Jag XK-120. Rides in those things as a kid seem to have influenced me somewhat. <BEFG>

Pete worked in the lab with dad. In the late fifties he sold the Jag, bought a Rambler station wagon and a scintillation counter, struck out to the northwest to hunt uranium. Not heard from after that.

 

[pdplot]

Only recognized one name from the old days - Gerry Storch. Ran a TD as I recall. I didn't know him personally. I only ran two hillclimbs in the Tr3 - Cloudbank (O. Rundle Gilbert's driveway overlooking the Hudson River just north of the Bear Mountain Bridge) and Belknap/Laconia New Hampshire. Cloudbank was dirt, lined with huge boulders. Fearing for the safety of my only ride, I *****footed up the track and finished well out of the money. My friend Jim Silberman took first in his Alfa Veloce - and met his future wife Audrey. Belknap - took 3rd in Class. Jim won his class and Bart Levenson was 2nd in his Alfa. First, second and third. There's a picture of us holding up fingers 1,2 and 3 somewhere. Ah to be 23 years old. I only wish I knew then what I know now...