1952 Duryea Hill Climb...history lesson!

[Ron Mann]

DURYEA CLIMB
MG Club Reopens Famous Hill Climb Course Once Used By Duryea at Reading, Penna.
By Bill Callahan
Motorsport magazine; March 1952


For the first seven years of this century, 1900 to 1907 inclusive, Charles E. Duryea, credited with the development of the first automobile in the United States, used a twisting, winding lane on the outskirts of Reading, Penna., to the test the hill climbing ability of his new inventions. At the end of that seven years the ability of Mr. Duryea’s products no longer was questioned and the lane which once echoed to the cheers of the local populace reassumed its dusty, rural quiet.

Reading grew and the one time lane and testing ground became a city street. In honor of the man whose products had made it a famous meeting ground for the townsfolk of Reading, the city fathers named the lane Duryea Drive and incorporated in a city park developed at the foot of Mt. Penn which it runs. Progress dictated that the lane be hard surfaced in keeping with the other streets and parkways of this thriving city but its general contours, grading and other features were retained intact.

Last fall the MG Car Club with the cooperation of City Council, largely represented by Jerome J. Staab, and individual members of the Sports Car Club of America and Motor Sports Club of America revived this famous hill climb with such success that if the City of Reading has anything to say about the event will become an annual affair. The MG Car of America through its Pennsylvania Centre deserves full credit of adding this meet to the growing list of motor sport affairs.

Duryea Drive is 2.4 miles in length from the park to the Tower Hotel, with eight hairpin turns in its first 1.6 miles. The over-all rise from start to finish line in this year’s event was about 600 feet. As previously stated the roadway is hard surfaced. Heavy able guard-rails line the outer edges of the roadway to prevent cars from dropping off the Cliffside in event of loss of control. From this standpoint the course is as safe as a hill climb can be made. Another feature is that the entire drive can be shut off without inconveniencing residents along the route as there are ample alternate roads.

Proximity of this course to the town itself is another desirable feature since there are restaurants, rest rooms and other facilities handy at all times. Food and refreshments also are available at the Tower Hotel at the top of the hill. The local police, radio groups, fire department, etc., are most cooperative in helping to police the course and expedite the runs.

At the revived event last fall there were 43 entries and drivers were permitted as many tires as they could get in during the allotted time, with their best time for the day counted rather than an average of all runs. The course was open at noon the previous day to provide ample practice time.

For sheer ruggedness and fish-tailing climbs the Duryea course does not compare with the dirt surfaced, rock strewn pull up the sides of Mt. Equinox at Manchester, VT., but it has potential for equal the thrills for both spectators and contestants with many advantages of convenience and safety which Equinox cannot offer. While we would not like to see Equinox abandoned we feel that Duryea Drive will become of increasing importance in the annual motor sports calendar as an additional national event.

The race last fall was not run under the most ideal conditions. Probably it was slated too late in the season and a snow laden sky threatened to unburden itself throughout the run. Slight flurries did fall on top of Mt. Penn in the late afternoon.

Alexis Irene DuPont of Montachanin, PA set the best time of the day topping the rise in 2:42.2 in a Cooper. The Cooper is not classified as a sports car so the best time for the day for sports cars was set by W. E. Hansgen of Westfield, New Jersey, in a Jaguar XK120 at 2:43.9. Hansgen also got first place in his class.

J. G. Sabal, Coryopolis, PA in a Chrysler powered Allard made the climb in 2:45 to take first place in Class I. He was followed by Bill Spear of Southport, CT, in a Ferrari America, at 2:47. A Nash-Healy, making its first try in a hill climb event, came in eighth on a time basis turning in a 3:03.2. It was driven by Richard Thompson Jr. of Washington, D.C. The Best time for an MG was set by Guy Atkins, Greenvale, L. I., New York in a supercharged TD at 3:13. Bruce Baily of Maplewood, New Jersey brought his MGTC up the hill in 3:17.

The best time for an MGTD stock was set by Ted Johnson, East Orange, New Jersey who made the run in 3:19.4. Hal Stetston of Mamaroneck, New York, who entered his Stetson Special, which is a home grown Mercury-powered job, made the climb in 2:55.5, running next in line to Bill Spear.

The finish position in relation to elapsed time follows:

1. A. I. DuPont, Montachanin, PA - Cooper……2:42.2
2. W. E. Hansgen, Westfield, NJ - Jaguar XK120…..2:43.9
3. J. G. Sabal, Coryopolis, PA - Chrysler-Allard….2:45.0
4. Bill Spear, Southport, CT - Ferrari 4.1……2:47.0
5. Hal B. Stetson, Mamaronack, NY - Stetson Special…..2:55.5
6. Bill Brudureck, Shellinton, PA - Jaguar XK120……2:59.0
7. Bob Smith, Allentown, PA - Jaguar XK120…..2:59.4
8. Richard Thompson Jr., Washington, DC - Nash-Healy…..3:03.2
9. George Caswell, Bloomall, PA - BNC……3:05.8
10. Peter Iselin, New York, NY - HRG Offy…..3:06.0
11. Dave Felix, Philadelphia, PA - Caddilac-Allard…..3:06.6
12. Alfons Koster, Sayville, NY - HRG……3:10.8
13. Guy Atkins, Greenvale, NY - MGTD-S…..3:13.0
14. Vern Rogers, Corinth, NY - Jaguar XK120…..3:14.6
15. Bruce Baily, Maplewood, NY - MGTC……3:17.0
16. Dick Yates, Washington, DC - MGTD Mk II……3:17.6
17. Richard Thompson Jr. Washington, DC - MGTC Mk II…..3:17.8
18. V. A. Corrandini, Maplewood, NJ - Muntz-Jet……3:19.1
19. Ted Johnson, East Orange, NJ - MGTD stock……3:19.4
20. Bill Linchelge, Falls Church, VA - MGTD……3:21.2
21. Bill Spear, Southport, CT - Porsche…….3:21.3
22. Richard Tollin, Wayne, PA - MGTD…….3:23.4
23. Ulio Batista, New Haven, CT - MGTD…..3:25.3
24. Ray Leibensberger, Allentown, PA - Riley…..3:27.5
25. Bob Jones, North Wales, PA - MGTD……3:27.6
Anese Ash, Mt Vernon, NY - MGTD…..3:27.6

[Mel Horn]

I believe that the W.E. Hansgen on the list may well be Walt Hansgen of Le Mans and Indy experience.

[Ron Mann]

You are correct! He was pretty active at Duryea and Giant's back then!