PA Hillclimb

1997 & 1998 - Yet another special…this time the big S3 Mazda powered Reynard of Ron Moreck takes two Duryea FTD's in a row. Moreck's terror of FTD's on the hills in the '97 & '98 season is dominating! He runs a 1:56.332 & a 1:50.456 respectively.

1999 - Darryl Danko makes his mark at Duryea. Darryl runs the Swift formula continental to Duryea's peek in a 1:59.378. The streak continues for open wheeled cars.

2000 - A new decade…but a familiar face is back on top of Duryea. Kerry Hitt comes back again, in what else but a Corvette and takes FTD honors running a 1:49.828. Now take a moment and scroll back to 1973, to Kerry's first FTD outing a Duryea…check the times, the drivers and the cars. This would be Kerry's final FTD at Duryea….well for now! 12 FTD titles…True King of Duryea?

Ron Mann wrote:2000 - A new decade…but a familiar face is back on top of Duryea. Kerry Hitt comes back again, in what else but a Corvette and takes FTD honors running a 1:49.828. Now take a moment and scroll back to 1973, to Kerry's first FTD outing a Duryea…check the times, the drivers and the cars. This would be Kerry's final FTD at Duryea….well for now! 12 FTD titles…True King of Duryea?

Ron,
I don't know if this is a urban legend, but I heard that Kerry was clocked at 170mph+ at the finish in 2000. Is this true?
Stan

I remember hearing 130+ in the 90's.

I can not confirm that Stan...but I could ask him!

2001 & 2002 - Yet another back to back FTD'er…Barry Griffith runs the Danko Gas Swift FC to two FTD titles back to back. 2001's 1:56.924 is followed by a 1:54.889 in 2002. **thanks to Stan for the help on this correction!**

The fast time for Kerry was recorded at the finish line with a radar gun. It was 154 MPH, I do not recall which year but that year the last runs were run in a heavy fog and kerry came through the fog at 111 MPH. That was scarry as he went by the finish line and you could see him for about 2 sec.

Rick Kase

Whoa!!!

2003 & 2004 - After being so close, so many times Merlin Miller breaks the crest of Duryea with a 1:54.473 in 2003. He too will go back to back taking his GT-2 Sunbeam Tiger up Duryea drive in 1:56.460 in 2004.

Ron Mann wrote:2001 & 2002 - Yet another back to back FTD'er…Barry Griffith runs the Danko Gas Merlyn club Ford to two FTD titles back to back. 2001's 1:57.924 is followed by a 1:54.889 in 2002. I don't have a photo of Barry in the CF…so a photo in the FC that he ran the wheels off will have to do!

Ron,
Not to disrespect Barry, because I still believe he is and always will be "Mr. Formula Ford", but I think you have some misinformation here. The Club Ford record is 120.960 sec. or 2:00.960 set in 1992 and still stands, according to the posted records. I was going after it this weekend, even though I must run Historic 3, but for the lack of a wheel. I still plan to come up to hang out with my PA buds and crew for George Bowland. My new, to me, 2003 Miata needs a road trip. See ya'll Friday.

Good catch Stan...glad you have my back!! The photo is correct up there...Barry ran the FC in 2001 & 2002 I have the wrong class and car in the text

maybe....just maybe I was checking you guys!!??

2005 - Merlin's streak is ended by Daniel Rutan of Connecticut…the son of Bill Rutan, Daniel has hill climbing in his blood!! He takes the heavily modified VW Scirocco to the summit of Duryea in 1:51.207. As stated before…with this FTD he and his Father became only the second Father & Son to take FTD honors at a PHA hill climb.

2006 & 2007 - Merlin's streak starts right back…two more FTDs in a row!! Once again the Tiger is tops…2006 he runs a 1:54.998 & last year he runs a 1:54.405

2008 - Good luck to ALL the drivers be safe…I'm nut running, but I hope to see you Sunday!!

Ron,
Just to keep you up to date: As of Saturday Aug.16, George is only 2/10 off the overall record at Duryea. He only made two passes, although I lobbied for a third run. Conditions are SO GOOD. Perhaps the best in over a decade. High of 80 degrees and 45 % humidity. Come up tomorrow.
Stan Vann

For those who were not there the fantastic Duryea record that stood without anyone getting close for 15 years has been eclipsed -- no, not eclipsed, it was shattered! George Bowland cranked out a 1:45.528 on his 3rd run up the hill, breaking the old record by over 2 seconds. Congratulations, George. The old guys are coming on --

Brgds,
Bob D

A new King…and a new record…George Bowland, congratulations! I'm glad I made it up! Also a bonus to meet Lyle Heck…1970's FTD winner!

THE NEW RECORD IS SET AT 105:528

bump.....

Ron,

The article you wrote for this years Duryea program is at the printer and should be ready on Wednesday. What that means for the rest of us is that there is more than just advertising in the program this year

Thanks Ron!

Rich Rock