History of the Fleetwood Hill Climb Presentation

[Ron Mann]

I will be presenting a presentation on the historic Fleetwood Hill Climb on November 19th at 7pm at the Fleetwood Historical Society in Fleetwood PA.

If you caught the Hershey presentation...it will be cut from the same mold...a power point presentation with many never before seen photos followed by some film, not sure what film I will be using yet. I will also have some general PHA artifacts on display as well.

Agenda:
What is hill climb racing?
How did hill climb racing start in PA?
The Fleetwood Hill Climb…facts & fun.
Fleetwood’s hometown drivers.
Film of the hill from spectator angles

[mrevilracing]

Want me to do donuts outside the building while you're doing your presentation? Just my contribution to the 'history' of it all. Joe F. you can come take photos and maybe some video. Dave, you can come critique the donuts.

[dspgti]

Dave, you can come critique the donuts.

Man, do I know donuts! I'm not talking Dunkin Donuts now, I'm mean real home made, melt in your mouth, like my grandmother use to make, goodness!

That's what you mean right? Otherwise, just send video. I'll put it with my "drifting"(ill-handling cars with too much horsepower on crappy tires) entertainment selection.


Ron,

Do you have enough video. I know I have some converted 8mm or did I send that to you before?

Dave Y.

[Ron Mann]

I have plenty of Fleetwood footage...thanks! I probably will only show about 15-20 minutes of film. I had shown about 30 minutes at the Hershey presentation, and it might have been a little long for the average folk.

Do you know what year/event you have? If it is something I don't have, I'd like to add it to the archives.

[Ron Mann]

bumping this bad boy!

[Joe Foering]

Ron. I'd love to be there but, unfortunately, that's the same night as the BMR meeting and this meeting is for nomination of club officers for '09. All you BMR members who read this should come to the BMR meeting and help select (or volunteer yourself) the officers for next year. Joe

[timurf]

Wish I could be there but for the impracticality of the driving distance involved.

In thumbing through old 50s and 60s sportscar rags you come across adverts for several defunct hillclimbs. Ellenville, NY is one that I recently came across.

I'd love to have a collection of the historic routes of these old events. I'd keep a collection of these handy and try 'em out (at posted speed limits, of course) on my travels here and there. Even if it involves a little scenic detour now and then...

[Rich Sweigart]

How about it, Ron? Some historic course maps and locations?

I know that the banquet is not far from 4 such hillclimbs.
Hershey
Pine Grove
Goldmine
Ravine
Rich

[Ron Mann]

Mel has documented many of the extinct ones in an atlas. I will actually be transposing them onto a larger map that I will have at the presentation. Once I figure what is going on with my moving situation, I have a few threads I'll be starting up here soon! One will be on extinct hills in PA....so hang in there buddies!! I know I've been slouching a bit here lately...I apologize!

[Mel Horn]

All the ones I tracked down were PA with the exception of Polish Mt.

If I recall correctly, however, there was a hillclimb in NY State that was floated as a possibility in the '70s, allegedly north of RV. As Ellenville is in eastern NY (north of Middletown NY and NE of Milford PA, ) it probably wasn't it.

[Ron Mann]

Another great turnout!!!

PHA Vets in attendance included:
Ray Heisey (rolled up with me)
Palmer Smeltz
Russel Kline
Ken Beck
Bob Laepple
Jim Hahn
John Haag
Tom Knorr
John Stinsmen
Francis Hardner
Scotty & Janet Dietz
Alex Miller
Marc Gerstein

Active drivers included:
Dale & George Witman
Tim Williams

Was a good time!!

[Mazdahead]

What a great turn out for your presentation and a very good job of representing the PHA!
I hope that presentation starts something around Fleetwood again!
George and I drove up the old course after the presentation and what a great course it was!
I only have fading memories of the fleetwood hillclimb since I was only around 12 years old when my buddies dad ran an MGB.
I guess that was what started me wanting to run the hills, just took me a long time to become financially ready for it!
Did anyone notice all the SAABs running back in the day?
That would have drove Dave Yeager nuts, huh? lol

[TKnorr]

Congratulations to Ron Mann for an excellent presentation. My wife and I really enjoyed looking back.
Tom and Gail Knorr

[Ron Mann]

thanks guys...it was good to see familiar faces in the crowd!!

I'm not so sure Fleetwood could ever run again as a full hill climb. Maybe someday, they could have a single day "re-creation" or something...but I certainly have no hint of anything going on there!

The first part of the film last night was chock-full-of Swedish cars!! Saabs and Volvos a plenty!!

[dspgti]

If your videos are the same copies that I have, they were old 8mm, no sound. That's the only way you can watch all those Saab's.

[Ron Mann]

I showed portions of the Brudereck films...but I lay over some period tunes to spice it up a little!

[dspgti]

Good idea! Even if it had sound it was better to dub over and play music, any kind of music, even GANGSTA RAP! Anything but RRRRRING-a ding, ding, ding. Sorry Chuck and Mary Ann. I'm just kidding.

Dave Y.

[Tim Williams]

Nice job Ron. I believe that was one of the largest crowds they have had for a presentation! i think it was standing room only (they ran out of seats by 7:15). I wish, when you asked for a raise of hands of the drivers that ran Fleetwood, they could have stood up announced their name, what years they drove and what type of car. I would have liked to put a face with some of the names from the past. Again, great job!

[Ron Mann]

Thanks Tim...that is a good idea...not sure if some of those folks would like being put on the spot. Give me a few and I'll fill the list in with what and when the drivers above ran!!

[Ron Mann]

Palmer Smeltz: ~1963-1967. Ran Volvos. 1964 & 1965 Touring 2 year end champ. 1967 Touring 3 year end champ...over 15 class wins.