Mt Washington: Climb to the Clouds
 

After a 10 year hiatus, the Mt Washington Climb to the Clouds Automobile Hillclimb will return to New Hampshire's Auto Road June 22-26, 2011. I attended the event a number of years ago, nice drive to the White Mountains in NH and great event to start the summer.

From the web site:

" Carroll Shelby, driving a specially prepared Ferrari roadster in 1956, posted a record-setting run of 10:21.8 on his way to victory. "

" The Mt. Washington Auto Road is considered by many hillcimb racers to be extremely technical with a narrow road surface that averages just over 16 feet wide. In addition to being very narrow with precipitous drop-offs that vary from side to side, the road is also incredibly steep, with an average 12% grade and gaining slightly more than 4,600 feet in total elevation change from the start line to the finish line. The road surface is mostly tarmac with approximately one mile of gravel and contains more than 100 turns and switchbacks as it snakes its way to the 6,288 foot summit of the Northeast's tallest peak.

Utilizing the same 7.6 mile road as the original 1904 event the 2011 Climb to the Clouds Hillclimb will play a key role in the Mt. Washington Auto Road's year-long 150th anniversary celebration as the oldest manmade tourist attraction in the United States. "

http://www.climbtotheclouds.com/

Don,

Thanks for the cool post. We have been up that road in a daily driver and its
scary!!!!!

What you say!!!! Yep, did that run some years ago now. there was fog at the top that made it very interesting.

burned out a set of Brembo pads on the way backdown and I thought going up was fun.

Rich

Strongest winds ever recorded in the lower 48 were at Mt. Washington (231MPH). The weather station is manned year round. Nasty place during the winter.

If you want to prepare in advance, try the Mount Equinox Skyline Drive in south western Vermont, close to the NY border:

http://www.equinoxmountain.com/skylinedrive/index.htm

In both cases, part of the enjoyment is spending time in the pit area:

http://www.equinoxmountain.com/skylinedrive/race.htm

Climb to the Clouds
 

Several years ago I had the chance to run my Contemporary 289 FIA up the hill at speed, what a ride. I've also raced a GT350R replica up the mountain several times.

Took the daily driver up many years ago. Going down is scarier then going up. I am sure I wore the brakes out on the way down. Nice views from the top when the weather is clear.

Steve: We have been up that road in a daily driver and its scary!!!!!

jdean: Going down is scarier then going up.

Sure is, makes you think twice about continuing. Can't imagine running at full speed, knowing the consequences of a mistake.

For those that have never been to the top and don't want to drive, there is a van driven by experienced drivers. Don't forget to look at the unguarded drop offs, while clinging to the seat. The beginning of the road at the start point is very deceptive, then the fun begins.

Either way, time your run, keeping in mind the current record is 6:41:99, sure places the ascent in perspective.

I have dreams of that road.... Closest thing we have around here is Deer Creek & it's only 2 miles to the top. But, we can drive/Ride it any day of the week!

Hi, Mass and conn, Cobra People, I live in Avondale AZ . I've been a Cobra owner for the pass three years and injoy every time , I get behind the wheel . Here in AZ were comming into grat driving season the weather is a little cool at night but the day time is beautiful . This is the first time I've converst out side of AZ and hope to do more with people of same interst . Im from Massachusettes,Blackstone Milford area. Don Morse.

Just a reminder of the event, June 22-26

The 7.6 mile " Climb to the Clouds " on the Mount Washington Carriage Road ends at an elevation of 6,288 ft.

The official record is 6 minutes and 41.9 seconds. The fastest time is unofficial since it was not set during competition: 6 minutes and 20.47 seconds.

Climb to the Clouds | The 2011 Climb To the Clouds Hillclimb

I gotta go see that one day!

Did you see our pal Carroll has the 56 record RECORDS | Climb to the Clouds

I also spotted a couple of the locals on the entry list huh Pat
ENTRY LIST | Climb to the Clouds

When I last attended, the pits were open to the public at N/C. Just great viewing the wide variety of cars, from the historic driver/mechanic vehicles to the modified and purpose built modern race cars.

" Taming a Mountain Road With Horses and Cars "

Taming a Mountain Road With Horses and Cars

UPDATE:

" Subaru Rally Team driver David Higgins crushes Mt. Washington Hill Climb record:

It's the season of the hill climb, those few months of the year when even the tallest mountains shed their snowcaps and open up for all manner of driver and race car. There's the Spectre 341 Challenge in Nevada, Pikes Peak in Colorado and the Mt. Washington Hill Climb in New Hampshire, which... "

Subaru Rally Team driver David Higgins crushes Mt. Washington Hill Climb record - AutoWeek

Beat the record by 30 seconds on a road that kills! I assume there have been some improvements to the road over the years?

Two other highway events:

Spectre 341 Challenge:

In the driver's seat for the Spectre 341 Challenge - AutoWeek

Silver Sate Classic:

Homepage Main Menu: Flat Out On A Public Highway! (home.htm)

Event Descriptions

" Subaru Rally Team USA driver David Higgins set a new record at this year's Climb to the Clouds at Mt. Washington in New Hampshire on July 26.

Higgins, driving his Subaru WRX STi rally car, made the run up the 7.6-mile mountain road in 6 minutes, 11.54 seconds--shaving nearly 30 seconds off the old record time, which was set by Frank Sprongl in 1998.

This video includes Higgins answering questions and his record-breaking run, as seen from inside and outside the car. "

Read more: Video: David Higgins's record-breaking run at Mt. Washington Climb to the Clouds - AutoWeek