2005 GIANTS DESPAIR HILLCLIMB:

DÉJÀ VU…ONLY BETTER

“This season’s events just get better and better.” That’s what I said last year in the report on the 2004 Giants and that observation is even more appropriate this year!

Eighty-seven drivers (sixteen more than last year) competing in forty-one classes set thirteen class records during nine timed runs over the weekend with no major incidents or lengthy delays.

The untiring efforts of Tim Royer, the Danko clan, and the event officials and workers made the ninety-ninth anniversary of Giants Despair a great success- this driver can’t wait for the hundredth in 2006!

The expanded camping and pit areas filled fast on Friday, and the crowded Registration indicated that it was going to be a busy and exciting event!

Saturday dawned sunny and clear and, after the Driver’s meeting, familiarization runs began, to be followed by timed runs. Unfortunately, into each life a little rain must fall, and the Group Two drivers were the unfortunate recipients of the brief but heavy showers that occurred during the days’ timed runs. To my recollection, two out of the three runs that Group Two made were marred by rain. Fortunately for Group One, however, the showers had passed and the course had dried when they started their runs.

Saturday night’s party at the Fire Company gave ample opportunity to eat, drink, and tell “war stories” to your fellow enthusiasts about your car and your driving prowess.

Sunday made up for the rains of Saturday by being a beautiful, sunny day! While warm, the day seemed to be less humid, which was a great relief after the torrid weather of the two previous events. Drivers were given an opportunity to make six timed runs, again with no major delays or incidents. The day ended with the recognition of the workers and the trophy presentations, bringing to a close the fourth event in this years fantastic TIME TRIALS Series.

The following class records were set over the course of the event: in ASP, Stephen Sincavage set a class record of 48.904 in his Corvette; in DSP, Greg Kasprzyk at 55.669 in his BMW; in HP, Mike Ancas in a Honda at 61.481 and in SSC in a Neon at 58.913; in CSR, Skip Levengood at 51.177 in a Toyota; in DSR, Joe Rausa in a Cheetah at 48.207; in GT3, Paul Behofist in a VW at 52.785; in GTL, Bob Oswald, Sr. at 53.613 in his VW; in HIST1, Rich Rock in a TVR at55.918; in HIST3, Darryl Danko at 51.658 in a Guerney Eagle; in ITE, Gordon Wise in a Mazda at 47.261; in RALLY, Al Corazza at 52.233 in a Subaru; and in STMOD2, Jeff Fazio in a Toyota.

FTD was set by Darryl Danko in a FORM ATL at 43.559.

The following are some observations of the weekend… Morg Wilson takes a great picture- wet or dry. Mike Ancas had another double, only this time in different cars. This series is rife with family competition…daughters against fathers- Adrienne Vrabel vs. her father George; grandpops and granddaughters- Don and Crystal; husbands and wives- John and Jane, Keith and Grace; brother against brother- the Maloneys and the Oswalds; father vs. son- the Pitmans… a “shrink” would have a field day! Leonard Picton’s beautiful Turner brought back memories of racing in the sixties. Butch King kept his promise and brought some genuine maple syrup so JoAnne made pancakes…they were tasty! Rob Cassaday and Steve Tumolo are pushing each other to faster times. Paul Behofist drives a very strong and pretty car. Darryl Danko reportedly stopped on the hill in his Guerney Eagle and still turned a 51! The folks at “turn around” make waiting at the top a welcome interlude.

Thanks again to all that helped to make Giants Despair the fourth in a series of successful TIME TRIALS events for 2005.

Rose Valley Hillclimb is next! See you on the hill!

Joe Foering, #37