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Post by tedebayer on Apr 28, 2011 8:42:46 GMT -5
The Central Carolinas Region of SCCA is proud to announce a new hillclimb site
and a new hillclimb event
to be run June 11th and 12th this year. Take a DEEP BREATH and hold it before you read this… INTRODUCING….. Chasing the Dragon Hillclimb – Robbinsville, NC
• 2.2 Miles long course near the famous Tail of the Dragon with over 1000 feet of elevation
• a great mix of blind sweepers and straights in some of North Carolina’s most beautiful forests
• waterfalls next to start line and a scenic overlook deck at top
• “formula car” friendly but grippy asphalt with no potholes or uneven surfaces
• guard rails and earth walls from start to finish
• likely the largest group of spectators at a hillclimb in years! Drivers – Registration will open soon. Records available but only one per class Courseworkers – Free accommodations and food. Sign up soon! Spectators – welcome at no charge More information to follow at www.ccrscca.comWhy did we ask you to hold your breath? Because if you held your breath as long as you can, you’re not even half way up THIS course! Come grab the dragon by the tail! Attachments:
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Post by markt on Apr 28, 2011 9:38:37 GMT -5
Great job, Ted and all the BoD, opening doors when others close...nice job...we'll be there
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Post by tedebayer on Apr 28, 2011 9:48:51 GMT -5
Thanks Mark for getting this door open. When you first brought up the idea 2 years ago, I thought you were crazy. Now? I am CERTAIN of it... but it's MY kind of crazy! Attachments:
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Post by lagunamiata on Apr 28, 2011 10:36:58 GMT -5
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Post by tedebayer on Apr 28, 2011 13:07:53 GMT -5
I want to make sure everyone understands... For the last month, we have been meeting up there with Forestry Commission, local Government and Dept of Transportation officials. They have been awesome to deal with and we really appreciate their support! (They do read this site and we do want to let them know... we could not run this event without their help!) The state of TN would not allow us to block off the road completely. We found a road that stems off the Cherohala Skyway (near the famous Tail of the Dragon) that is 4.4 mile road through the edge of the Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest with a dead end at an observation deck. It is the same kind of windy roads as Tail of the Dragon and the local Tourism Authority and www.killboy.com are behind it 100% ... in fact, one of the killboy gang may be driving in it. Come watch the event, enjoy the forest and take a ride on the Tail of the Dragon! It's a weekend you will look forward to each year. It is a fast 2.2 mile course... a lot of sweeping blind turns (20 of them) and several straight aways where cars can wind out. There's a small waterfalls behind the start gate and the forests are beautiful. I will be posting a video soon. This may be one of the greatest sports car hillclimbs since the old Chimney Rock. We are working toward having a series of hillclimbs in the Southeast with corporate sponsors ... this event will really set the stage. If you have ever thought of getting involved in hillclimbing, come work this one (free lodging and food) or come watch. It's a growing sport and a LOT cheaper than road racing....plus if you break something, it's your fault. No one out there but you and the mountain... and you ARE THE ONLY ONE MOVING. ; ) |
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Post by drum3 on Apr 28, 2011 16:51:16 GMT -5
If you guys need some workers , you can count Suzanne and Me in. Just shoot me an email at lildrummer82@yahoo.com and let us know what you need . This is an awesome addition to the local events list !
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Post by clarise on Apr 28, 2011 17:20:54 GMT -5
me!!!!!me!!!!!me!!!!!I want to help When????Where????I'm in.....clarise
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Post by infernoz28 on Apr 28, 2011 18:15:10 GMT -5
I am going to do my best to be there. If i cant work it at least to watch. I have been hoping for years that chimney rock would come back to life but this has to be the next best thing.
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Post by dondrennon on Apr 28, 2011 19:35:55 GMT -5
Folks who will be joining us as volunteer race staff: Look for more details to be posted on the region website. This course is a good bit longer than anything we have ever attempted, and we'll need all the help we can get. In the meantime, you can contact me with any specific questions about serving as course workers at ddrennon@gmail.com
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Post by tedebayer on Apr 28, 2011 22:06:36 GMT -5
Thank you Don! If you have ever worked an event with Mr. Drennon, you already know, you are working with a PRO. If you are new to course working, Don will be glad to place you on a corner with experienced people where you can contribute, learn and have fun. We will not put you in any position you are not comfortable with ... but next to the driver's seat, courseworking TRULY IS the best seat in the house! We will be moving workers around so you'll get a different view of the course both days. Corner working, communications, timing & scoring, spectator area monitor, paddock, pit... we have lots of places and appreciate your help. It gives the drivers a lot of piece of mind knowing we have good people watching the course, ready to help and keeping us safe. THANKS! This is the group that helped at out last Hillclimb at Eagle's Nest (Don is right in the middle). Thank you for all your effort last year! More fun ahead!  Attachments:
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Post by tedebayer on Apr 28, 2011 22:33:24 GMT -5
Here's a video of the course... I wasn't kidding about it being fast.  Attachments:
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Post by tedebayer on Apr 28, 2011 22:35:53 GMT -5
HERE's the course...enjoy!!!!
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Post by z3elda on Apr 28, 2011 22:55:22 GMT -5
Holy Hillclimb Batman! A couple of rough spots, but should be a FAST one for sure.
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Post by rednels on Apr 28, 2011 23:02:04 GMT -5
What are the requirements as far as driver credentials and safety equipment? Roll cages and such....
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Post by tedebayer on Apr 28, 2011 23:35:45 GMT -5
Go to www.sedivtt.com and take a look at the tab Time Trial Info. There are links to all the TT rules for SEDIV and SCCA. • FULL Time Trial License required for Level 4 Events DRIVER SAFETY GEAR: • Nomex firesuit • Nomex Gloves • Nomex Socks • Leather or fireproof shoes • SA Rated helmet • Arm Restraints • Head and Neck restraint (recommended) CAR STUFF: Minimum 4 point Roll bar 5 or 6 point safety harness Fire extinguisher SCCA logbook (issued by the Regional Scrutineer) To get your full TT license you can either do 2 flat track events with a novice permit and have the chief instructor sign the form, then send your permit to SCCA along with the Physical examination forms with a check for the license, or you can do a Time Trial school , get signed off by the Chief Instructor or Chief Steward and send your form into SCCA along with the Physical examination forms from your Doctor along with payment for the license and you will be a licensed Timed Trialer. Some tracks and all hillclimbs require a full license in order to compete. Licenses MAY be granted based on previous experience (wheel to wheel) NASA TT or RR licenses are accepted. |
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Post by rednels on Apr 29, 2011 0:16:27 GMT -5
Sweet I have my NASA TT and Racing license.
Do we know the cost to enter yet?
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Post by huntersrun on Apr 29, 2011 7:31:25 GMT -5
Question...how can it be a hillclimb without any Hairpin Turns! Or any real turns...looks more like a drag race rather than a hillclimb...do you actually have to lift anywhere? Looks like to win here you need HP, great handling not so much... For sure if you want to go fast this is the one....
Just my obserevations from the video...
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Post by lagunamiata on Apr 29, 2011 8:26:55 GMT -5
Apparently it's more like a PHA hillclimb road that what we're used to.
But with 1000ft of elevation change, it's DEFINITELY a climb!!
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Post by markt on Apr 29, 2011 8:50:07 GMT -5
It's unlike what we've seen around here, that's for sure but, if you've done Crow Mountain, AL you know what it's like to hit the dip in the road at the apex while cranking triple digits...just grab your seat with both cheeks and hold on...
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Post by highwayracer on Apr 29, 2011 10:09:45 GMT -5
I'm in. Who else is going?
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Post by highwayracer on Apr 29, 2011 10:16:29 GMT -5
Is the road from the poster part of the actual course? I know that the video was shot with a very wide angle lens, which tends to make the turns look more open, but there doesn't appear to be anything on the video anywhere near as tight as in the picture. And, by time stamp, approximately where on the video are the projected start and finish lines?
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Post by tedebayer on Apr 29, 2011 12:29:02 GMT -5
Yes, this picture is from the course shot with a digital camera. It was taken looking down the road instead of up the road... that's why it looks downhill and different than any motion shot on the video camera with wide angle lens.
Yes, it is a hillCLIMB. The wide lens video may deceive you a bit but some of the turns ARE more aggressive than they appear... many are blind sweepers and the 2.2 mile length will take a while to learn. If you will look at the bottom of the video screen about 15 seconds in, you will see in green the words "START LINE!!" You will also see in Red print the words "FINISH LINE!!" towards the end of the video as you enter the last straight ending in the loop. There is a good cool down section leading to the loop where we will turn around and stage for the ride back down.
Yes...I promise you... you'll have to lift. If you don't, it will be a shorter course for you.
If you look at European hillclimbs, PHA hillclimbs, western US hillclimbs... you will find none like Chimney Rock or Wolf Ridge which is heavy with hairpins and switch backs. You also won't find any with roads used that were as rough which caused many of our formula car drivers to be unhappy when we "wore the rivets off the bottom of their cars." Some actually quit coming to hillclimbs. The CCR Board Members have spent a LOT of effort over the last two years to find spectator friendly hillclimb sites with ALL of our drivers in mind ... and several more sites are in the research stage. This one is fast but top speed will be lower than our drivers have seen at THE straight at Crow Mountain, lower than the long straight at CMP and the majority of the hillclimbs I have seen or heard about in the PHA series. (Note : the PHA courses are an average of 1 mile long.)
IF you are concerned with speed, the length, the width, the elevation or disappointed with course composition... we hate to lose you as a driver. This beautiful site and road has been approved by SCCA and as much as we would like to, we can't find a place that will fit everyone's expectations and unique needs. Based on overwhelming response so far, all drivers have been positive and thrilled to have a safe, quality site to run at a driver entry fee half of what other parts of the US charge for a hillclimb. Spectator and course worker response also has been amazing and we expect a LOT of people for this event. We look forward to sharing this event with you.
For our Robbinsville, Deal's Gap and area sponsors and community organizers who read our site, thanks again for your all help in making this great event possible! We are continuing to look for more sponsors so please pass on any recommendations of businesses we can speak with!
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Post by huntersrun on Apr 29, 2011 12:56:46 GMT -5
Ted,
I know that the CCR BOD would not have this event if it was not safe, just wanted to voice my concerns based on the video..you know that I will support this event, as for Jess and I driving, Not this time...Funding will be tight since we are getting back from a visit to see my dad in Fla on the Tuesday before...we will be there to help out for sure!
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Post by highwayracer on Apr 29, 2011 13:13:28 GMT -5
Thanks Ted.
I suspected the picture was from the course. It shows clearly that some of the turns are sharper than they appear in the video. Wide angle lenses, especially in video, can be deceiving. I think its gonna be a blast!
I'm there, as is my son if we can get all of his paperwork done.
As for having to lift, you do remember that I have an IT7, right?
;D ;D
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Post by highwayracer on Apr 29, 2011 13:36:16 GMT -5
Watching the video as posted above, the start is at about 0:40 and the finish is at about 4:10.
For those watching the video, assuming 2.2 miles over 3 minutes 30 seconds, thats about 38 mph average. At speed, those turns may be a little tighter than they look, don't you think?
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Post by tedebayer on Apr 29, 2011 13:37:33 GMT -5
Good deal guys! Thanks for your support!
Larry... I'm still saying you'll have to lift... but I'm also betting your brake pads will last all weekend! ; )
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Post by markt on Apr 29, 2011 13:38:33 GMT -5
"This will require a trip to see the actual road prior to the event", I told my wife, Sue. To which she replied, "Why don't we cruise up on May 14th? That would be a great way to spend our anniversary."
It will be 34 years together and NO you can't have her! We'll be in the Crystal Blue '02 Miata if anyone else it heading up that way.
Is there a Mexican restaurant in Robbinsville?
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Post by highwayracer on Apr 29, 2011 13:43:58 GMT -5
You're driving the parts car? ;D ;D I'm going up to see it, too, but I'm not sure I can wait that long. |
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Post by tedebayer on Apr 29, 2011 13:44:44 GMT -5
Pacifico Mexican Restaurant
(828) 479-8448
Robbinsville
429 Bypass
Robbinsville, NC 28771
Tell them Ted sent you... and you are the one that told Ted "There is no Mexican Restaurant in the world that can make a dish so hot I can't eat it!"
(If you know Mark, you know this is probably a true statement. I still like to make challenges for him ... )
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Post by markt on Apr 29, 2011 14:00:50 GMT -5
If there is such a thing as a luxobarge Miata, that's it, leather, bose stereo, power winders, the whole schmear.
As far as the Pacifico, I'm there buddy...I'll let you know how the chicken taco salad is...
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