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Post by deadbolt on Feb 2, 2007 14:15:33 GMT -5
Hey guys! Just putting out a copy of the press release for the Hillclimb being held May 19-20 2007. Hey guys! After several months of work and negotiations, we have gotten the clearance for our hillclimb, and it is within easy striking distance to some of you! Here is the official press release: Adrenaline Junkies Return to Western North Carolina For Immediate Release: 1-20-2007 The intense, action packed sport of Hillclimbing is making its triumphant return to the Western North Carolina Area in May, 2007. Hillclimb had enjoyed a storied and exciting 39 year history in the area, when in 1995, the Chimney Rock Hillclimb was run for the final time. A suitable sight was located the following year and used until 2001, but since then, this white-knuckle,grass-roots motorsport has moved outside the general area, to the Blue Ridge Hillclimb in Sparta, NC from 2002-2006. After a 6 year hiatus, the sport returns to the area with a new venue that promises to rival the legendary Chimney Rock event. The Wolf-Ridge Hillclimb, sponsored by Prestige Subaru, will explode onto the motorsports scene on May 19-20, 2007 featuring some of the fastest hillclimb vehicles in the United States. From ground-pounding 700 HP racers to feather-light custom built "hillclimb-specials", vehicles the likes of which many people have likely never seen before will be making their valiant attempts to tame "The Big Bad Wolf." This would be the first-ever national-level motorsports event held in Madison County, North Carolina. Located just 7 miles from I-26, 35 miles from Asheville, and 45 miles from Johnson City, TN, this event promises to bring newfound visitors, tourism, and fame to the rural area. "This is one of the best venues we have looked at in many years" said Mark Mashburn, veteran hillclimb driver. Hillclimb events involve closed paved roadways, multiple turns, and measurable elevation change. Competitors are released for their attack on the mountain in intervals, and timed from start to finish. Speeds approaching 100 miles per hour, on roads with speed limits of 25-30 miles per hour are common, pushing both vehicle and driver to their limits. The vehicles running are not your common "grocery getters", extensive equipment and driver training are required in order to compete in this sport, which obviously, can be extremely dangerous. "We have to prepare the cars with significant rollover protection, fire protection, and use special fire-proof clothing in the event that something happens" commented Nicholas Seymour, local Sandy-Mush driver. Seymour also commented that there are significant licensing requirements in order to compete. "Due to the nature of this type of event, potential drivers must prove high-speed competition experience in order to drive at hillclimbs." Hillclimbing is not only a thrill for drivers. Spectators are allowed and encouraged, provided they observe official spectator areas, and follow directions of event officials. The event promises to offer a view inside a thrilling motorsport that for several years, had seemed to be only a fond memory for the Western North Carolina area. Further information about the sport of Hillclimbing, as well as more detail about the Wolf Ridge Hillclimb can be found on the official website, located at www.wolfridgehillclimb.com |
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Post by hoserracing on Feb 7, 2007 16:41:09 GMT -5
Good luck guys, look forward to attending the 2nd annual Wolf Ridge Hill Climb!
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Post by deadbolt on Feb 14, 2007 15:00:31 GMT -5
We'll look forward to having you!  |
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Post by pistonwheels on Feb 20, 2007 13:31:30 GMT -5
Had a meeting on this event this past Sunday. Was up there when it was COLD!
This event is really coming together to be terrific. Its a wonderful site and the road is very challenging. Facilities are good and the Wolf Ridge people are going above and beyond in making their facility available to both participants and sponsors.
We should have a video of the course soon - it was too icy to record one this past weekend (well, one that SCCA insurance wouldn't freak over).
I'm just not sure that once we let Sue C. set up race control in the 8,000 sq ft log home, that we'll ever get her to leave...
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Post by George Bowland on Feb 24, 2007 11:50:41 GMT -5
Drove the hill yesterday and was very surprised to see it significantly torn up in about 12 areas. Hard to understand since I rode it on my motorcycle four weeks ago and there was no pavement damage to speak of. Must be a lot of construction trucks suddenly using the road, or the weather may have played a role. The road down the backside was also torn to pieces for the first 2/10 of a mile. Its going to take a lot of patching to get it drivable.  |
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Post by ffhillclimber on Feb 25, 2007 8:28:54 GMT -5
Now this doesn't sound good. We'll be up there next weekend to scout it out. BTW should we go ahead and book a cabin and will there be any "racer's net" pricing?
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Post by hbennett on Feb 26, 2007 12:32:21 GMT -5
I see on the website there are links for the entry forms and such, but they are not active? I noticed the cabins all start with 3 bedrooms. Will there be any pricing packages available with local motels? Thanks.
Howard
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Post by pistonwheels on Feb 26, 2007 19:30:46 GMT -5
Drove the hill yesterday and was very surprised to see it significantly torn up in about 12 areas. Hard to understand since I rode it on my motorcycle four weeks ago and there was no pavement damage to speak of. Must be a lot of construction trucks suddenly using the road, or the weather may have played a role. The road down the backside was also torn to pieces for the first 2/10 of a mile. Its going to take a lot of patching to get it drivable. George, Yes, Tim at WR is aware that the road has taken a beating in several places and it is a combination of weather and trucks. They are going to wait until the freezing weather is over before tackling it but he has assured us that it will be repired before the may event. |
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Post by pistonwheels on Feb 26, 2007 19:33:11 GMT -5
I see on the website there are links for the entry forms and such, but they are not active? I noticed the cabins all start with 3 bedrooms. Will there be any pricing packages available with local motels? Thanks. Howard There is a motel in Mars Hill. We'll see if they'll offer a discount rate. As for the "cabins" - this really undersells these buildings. They are more like very nice log homes. I would suggest you get together with one or two other folks and rent one. We have a request in for a discount on these and are waiting for a response, but personally I think that the price for what is offered is very reasonable. |
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Post by pistonwheels on Feb 26, 2007 19:39:06 GMT -5
I wanted to add that in talking with the WR people, they are very committed to making this a great event. The concept of "As good or better than Chimney Rock" is their starting point.
They are putting Wolf Ridge second in many ways, to give SCCA guys a great event - giving us priority on many things - such as use of the Lodge on Saturday if we need it.
We may not get everything perfect on our first event there, but the WR people are working to get damm close to 100% and I sincerely hope many racers will turn out to support this effort.
The road, the general site, the views, are all terrific. Its the site you have been asking for. Maybe a more challenging road than you'll wish!
Rent a Log "Cabin", and get one with stunning views of the surrounding mountains. Take a camera for sure!
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Post by 7thson on Mar 6, 2007 18:02:59 GMT -5
They put a video of Wolf Ridge up on Youtube. |
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Post by Mike Burke on Mar 23, 2007 21:03:06 GMT -5
Hello,
When will the entry/registration info be available for the Wolf Ridge Hill Climb?
Thanks,
Mike Burke
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Post by oldgiracer on Mar 27, 2007 11:06:23 GMT -5
Mike, et al:
I plan to have registration up on myautoevents.com by the end of this week (Mar. 30). I know this event is generating a lot of interest and we are thankful. As the chair of this event, we are very determined to make it a great event for everyone involved. The entire complex is absolutely right for this event and the cooperation of all involved is just super. Our on-site organizers are doing a terrific job and pulling the wagon like the Budwieser Clydesdales. Be ready, it's coming!
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Post by oldgiracer on Apr 5, 2007 22:10:03 GMT -5
We finally have the sanction for Wolf Ridge Hillclimb! SCCA club racing office is swamped so it took longer than expected, lost fax in Topeka, etc. No matter, I've requested Dick McCollister to activate registration tomorrow on My Auto Events.com and Rich will link the information to the CCR web site and Jerry will place a link on the official hillclimb site. As for the cabins at Scenic Wolf Ridge, the best we could do was the listed prices from their web site. Remember that these are privately owned cabins and rented through an agency. For motels, there is a nice Holiday Inn Express just over the border in Tenn. that looks very good. South of Wolf Ridge is Mars Hill and there is a Comfort Inn right on the exit. That's about a 15 minute drive. Their prices vary. Please read the supps carefully as this will be run a little differently in that the paddock area is at the top of the mountain rather than the bottom and it is requested that entrants park their trailers at the bottom of the mountain leaving room at the top. Also, be prepared to have your car at the top of the mountain Friday afternoon/evening for Tech inspection and public display. We will be using a return road on the back side of the mountain to speed up the entire process and we should get in more runs than anyone has experienced before. In order to maintain this procedure, I'm asking that we all behave as adults and not speed on the road. Street vehicles will be controlled on the back road and we plan to have police coverage as well. We hope you will come out and enjoy the mountains and watch what we think will be a great event.
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Post by oldgiracer on Apr 6, 2007 9:48:47 GMT -5
Registration is up and running on myautoevents.com
You may register on-line or mail in your registration to Sheryl Findlan--on-line registration is preferred.
Entries are limited to 100 cars for this first event, so get registered ASAP!
Any questions e-mail me: tojawent@bellsouth.net
Tony
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Post by lagunamiata on Apr 6, 2007 21:16:59 GMT -5
I just added a link to the on-line registration to the CCR site. It's on the front page and the hill climb page.
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Post by pistonwheels on May 2, 2007 18:54:30 GMT -5
If anyone is still looking for a place to stay while attending the WR Hillclimb, I still have rooms available at the NuWray Inn in Burnsville. Its about one mile further than staying in Mars Hill and there's a couple of great 'back routes' to the hillclimb site to practice on!
Mention SCCA to get a 25% discount on our regular rates for a TWO-night stay. Get 15% for a one night stay.
We'll do a special early breakfast for all participants on Sat and Sun.
Bring your own beer (we're in a dry county) and sit out on our porch or deck in the evening and enjoy the heritage and hospitality of this landmark Inn.
Check out www.nuwrayinn.com/ for more details. Or call 800-368 9729 between 9 and 5.
Regards,
Martin.
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Post by dstan on May 10, 2007 15:28:20 GMT -5
A friend and I just did a run up there today to see it.
All I can say is WOW what a road!!! + the pavers were up there
patching the road, so it looks a great Venue to come. can't wait to see those cars flying up it
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Post by markt on May 10, 2007 17:45:24 GMT -5
Pavement sounds so great!
Hope to see you in '08
With points for to take
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Post by dstan on May 10, 2007 20:31:31 GMT -5
you go mark with the Haiku
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Post by markt on May 21, 2007 11:00:51 GMT -5
Results? How'd y'all do? Run smooth? Date for next year???
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Post by deadbolt on May 21, 2007 19:21:55 GMT -5
It was a great event! Thank you to everyone that came out! The developers already are talking about the next event so hopefully within about a month we will have a date for next year's event. Those of us that helped organize need a week or two to decompress and relax a bit.
If anyone has any pics or videos that they can send me for the website please email them to me if possible at smokymtnracer@yahoo.com
Thanks again for a great first event!
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Post by huntersrun on May 21, 2007 20:44:13 GMT -5
What a great weekend. I enjoyed meeting all and took some really good pictures. Go here huntersrun.photoreflect.com For the racers at the event let me know what picture you like and I will email you the first one for free. Any others will have to purchased thru the site. Enjoy, Richard Hunter |
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Post by Quattro on May 22, 2007 8:27:03 GMT -5
Great event! I hadn't worked a hillclimb since Chimney way back when...
The organizers did an awesome job and after working out a few bugs on Saturday, Sunday went very smoothly.
After corner working both days I'm still a little wound up. Pretty cool being 10 feet off the race line and having these folks coming screaming up the mountain straight at you.
Good people, great venue, awesome weather, killer food, and everyone went home in one piece....sounds like a success to me!
;D
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Post by crash477 on May 22, 2007 9:28:16 GMT -5
Yeah this was my first Hill Climb, and I loved it. Working it was fun! Like Greg said, being 10 feet of the line and hearing them come screaming up the mountain, then see them pop around a corner, and then disappear around another corner, hearing them scream up to the top.. it was awesome!
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Post by Steve Eckerich on May 22, 2007 12:57:08 GMT -5
Dang it feels good to have hillclimbing back in the mountains!! I can not begin to thank those enough that helped work this event. All of us were new to hosting a hillclimb and all our great workers made us look good. New site, new timing equipment and somehow we all pulled it off. This will be a first class venue going forward. A special thanks to the Tennessee for working with CCR to allow this race the same weekend as Nasheville. Look forward to working together in the future. Last time I watch a hillclimb instead of driving--still have withdrawl symptoms.
Steve Eckerich
asst. RE CCRSCCA
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Post by C4Shane on May 22, 2007 16:41:47 GMT -5
What a blast of an event....and I only worked there (well, not completely true - I also slept, ate, ate, ate...geez the food was great!!)
I did take a couple of competitive laps up the hill, hauling screaming spectators --- But, I think my time was bested by another white van...
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Post by George Bowland on May 22, 2007 16:45:41 GMT -5
One of the most enjoyable weekends and THE most challenging hillclimb I have seen in my 25 years of running up mountains. Worker group was exceptional down to the last person and to get eight runs at a first time event was astounding. I could have run eleven if I had taken all the opportunities, but cold road temps and slow cool down times reduced my ability to run them all. I sure hope we have a larger field for the next one and I will be one who will promote it every chance I get. Thanks to all who made it possible and to CCR for their willingness to tackle such a huge project. Driving these events is such a exciting challenge and none of them would exist without a huge group of hard working, well trained volunteers.
George
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Post by ahoglen on May 22, 2007 20:55:45 GMT -5
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Post by ffhillclimber on May 22, 2007 22:41:34 GMT -5
I agree, this was the most challeging hillclimb I've ever driven and the most enjoyable. We had scouted it in early March and I was very concerned with the condition of the road from heavy truck damage. However I was pleased to see how well the areas had been patched and repaired. As a formula car driver I also would like to say how much I appreciated the effort to build and place tire walls in the most dangerous areas. The facilities and accomodations could not have been better. The number and quality of course marshals was amazing. I was wondering if they could put on a event anywhere on the east coast because everyone seemed to be at the Wolf. Thanks to all the workers, hosts, and organizers for a truely great first event. I hope we have found a home for many years to come.
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