hrdstrt

Hello. This past year we were faced with the difficult decision to put the Mt. Washington Hillclimb on hold. It was not an easy decision for us to make and neither was this one. We have decided to cancel the Mt. Washington Hillclimb indefinitely. Please read the press release for more information. We are doing everything we can to get the word out, because as you know this decision will effect many people. Please assist us by passing this info along to the volunteers, workers and spectators. Questions about this decision can be directed to us via email or phone 603-466-3988. Thank you.

Tim Chapman
Director of Special Events & Functions
Mt. Washington Auto Road
Great Glen Trails Outdoor Center
603-466-2333 ext.141
www.mt-washington.com


CLIMB TO THE CLOUDS IS HISTORY



Pinkham Notch, NH - The Mt. Washington Hillclimb auto race, also known as the "Climb to the Clouds," has once again been taken off the schedule of events held at the historic Mt. Washington Auto Road, America's oldest man-made attraction located in Pinkham Notch, NH. The event is a timed auto race up the Mt. Washington Auto Road to the summit of 6,288-foot Mt Washington, the highest peak in the Northeast.



The announcement to discontinue the event was made by Mt. Washington Auto Road General Manager Howie Wemyss following many months of discussion within the company. "This is a very tough announcement for us because we feel so strongly about the event, but ultimately it comes down to making a business decision. History is very important to us, so we do not take this decision lightly - and all of the drivers, car clubs, volunteers, and fans of the event are affected by this decision. We really enjoy holding this event, but the race is very expensive and labor-intensive for the Auto Road- even with the help of sponsorship and volunteers. At a time when the company is moving forward with the rebuilding of a new lodge for the Mt. Washington Auto Road and our partner company Great Glen Trails Outdoor Center, we are taking a look at how we do everything. We just couldn't justify the expense and effort it takes to run this event and maintain a quality level we are proud of. "



First run in 1904 and recognized as America's oldest motorsports event, the "Climb to the Clouds" pre-dates the Indianapolis 500, first held in 1911 and the inaugural Pikes Peak Hillclimb of 1916. The race was held on and off through 1961 and then took a 29 year hiatus. "In a way, we're actually keeping to the history of the race, it was held in '04 and '05 and then again until the 20's, so the race has come and gone - it took 29 years to bring it back the last time," Wemyss said. "Circumstances change, but for now and the immediate future, we will not hold an auto race."



The race was originally created by early auto manufactures to showcase their new inventions. The Mt. Washington Auto Road was considered to be the ultimate site to prove the ability of these now historic vehicles. In the first "Climb to the Clouds", Harry Harkness drove a Mercedes up the 7.4 mile course in 24 minutes, 37 seconds. This was considered to be remarkable when compared to the 2 hours, 10 minutes it took F. O. Stanley in the Stanley Locomoble, the first automobile up the Auto Road in 1899.

Over the years, the event grew to include a very broad range of vehicles represented in nine different classes and drivers from all over the world. Frank Sprongl's course record of 6 minutes 41.99 seconds set in 1998 and Jerry Driscoll's incredible top speed of 113 mph in 1999 stand as two of the more memorable "runs" on the Auto Road.



Plans for a 100-year anniversary commemorative event for 2004 are being developed. "We envision several days, maybe a week of events. We won't hold a race, but would focus on its history and the vehicles that made the race so compelling," Wemyss explained. "We will announce our plans for an anniversary event by December of this year."



Opened in 1861, the Mt. Washington Auto Road hosts thousands of visitors each year who reach the summit of Mt. Washington by way of the Auto Road, driving their own vehicles or taking a guided tour in an Auto Road van. For more information about the Mt. Washington Auto Road, visit www.mtwashingtonautoroad.com or call 603-466-3988.

hrdstrt

Rumor has it that the last hillclimb, Audi dropped its sponsorship pledge from $50k to $25k, making the event a losing proposition for the owners of the Toll-road.
My feeling is that Audi was nervous, that there brand might not be the fastest to the top. Without a factory team, it would be tough proposition for any independant audi driver to continue win the event, with the exception of Sprongel, and even the Killer B is starting to lag behind more current technology.