Alternative Fuels in Hillclimb

[Bergsteiger 71]

Reading the full road test of the TESLA electric sports car in this month's R&T got me wondering something. Does anyone have knowledge of non-gasoline cars competing in Pennsylvania hillclimbs? Steam, diesel, electric, CNG? Considering that your history goes back to the earliest automobiles, some may have shown up in the early days? Any turbo diesels or hybrids in recent memory?

[Ron Mann]

I do have some records of an actual class for alternative fuels....I'll have to dig a bit.

Also...back in they day...there was some steam powered rides rolling up Giant's Despair!

[mrevilracing]

That'll be cool to see! Steam powered?? Oh hillclimb historical god, please post that..........

[Rick Kase]

We also had an electric car run Giants several years ago. It was the year that the party was at the horse racing track, J W Orrs bet on a horse with electric in its name and made several hundred dollars - naturally he was required to buy breakfast on Sun mornung.

Alternative fuels requiring a pressure type fuel tank are currently not allowed.

[Ron Mann]

"While all of the regular events were limited to gasoline cars, two steam cars succeeded by special dispensation in trying for records, and as both of them did much better than their gasoline rivals, the good times made by the latter cars were relegated to second place so far as the record breaking features of the day were concerned. The best time was made by Walter C. White in an exhibition run which his 30 horsepower White Steamer against last year's record. Mr. White climbed the 6,000 foot hill, with its grades varying from 12 - 20 per cent, in the admirable time of 1:49 4-5, beating the bet time of a year ago by 0:14.35.

The second best time was made by a 20 horse power Stanley steam car in the special event for runabouts restricted to cars from the Quaker City Motor Club, Philadelphia. The car was allowed to run by special permission of the club and was driven by D. Walter Harper, it won in 1:56.45
(New York Times May 31, 1907)

What is interesting about this…the steam cars were truly "The Fastest of the Day" but Jimmy Ryall is credited the FTD running 1:59.25.

Photo is a Stanley Steamer from 1908, John Jennings...taken at the first section of Giant's Despair.

[Ron Mann]

I have record of an "Alternative Fuel" fuel class offered at Giant's in 1995. It was won by a Dan Ellis of West Pittston in an Escort (I assume a Ford). This could be the electric car Rick mentioned. It's best run was a 92.924.

sorry...no pixs...

[Rich Sweigart]

Ron,

Do not forget that most early Formula 3s (500) ran on alcohol and the Danko Indy car runs on methanol.
We have had a ton running on oil and gas(2 strokes).

Rich

[Ron Mann]

good point...Rich!!

[Number 56]

I've been to a lot of the Saturday night parties and as the night gets late and the beers go, I think some run on BS. That would be a alternate fuel!

[dspgti]

What about the Danko Formula car running on an "Alternative Fuel"?

Is anyone paying attention to the IRL (Indy car). The ethanol fuel is now being supplied from South America ? That's okay, let's let them expend their resources. We will figure out how to get fuel for our race cars. Ethanol, methanol, methane, Propane, Hydrogen, electric magnetic impulse, hot air, wave motion or gravity (my first race down Duryea) we will find a way.

Dave Y

[Ron Mann]

It would be easy to figure out who runs on hot air!

[dspgti]

That's not hot air, that's exhaust gasses.

[Bergsteiger 71]

Wow, great history with the steam cars - neat picture. It did occur to me that fuels are kind of a regulatory thing in the GCR

Still, if someone makes a competitive production car (whatever it runs on) the rules will have to accomodate it!

Is it spring yet ?