There was a time in SCCA history when closed-circuit road courses were not scattered across the country. Early in SCCA history, members wanted to test the abilities of their cars and themselves. Time trials were an early favorite, one of the formats being hillclimb. The concept was simple: close the road; time each competitor; whoever gets to the top first, wins.
Hillclimbs continue to this day, although not to the same degree as in decades past. Two of the most notable remaining SCCA hillclimbs are Pagoda (Reading, Penn.) and Giant’s Despair (Laurel Run, Penn.). The most widely recognized annual hillclimb is the Pikes Peak International Hillclimb, drawing drivers from around the world to climb the famous mountain.
Mr. Regular of Road & Track recently sat down with one of the drivers of the hillclimbing glory days, John Sterling Bolton. They discussed what cars would attend, racing routes, spectators, and more. Read about their converation here.