Mt. Ascutney, VT

[Mr2]

I"ll be attempting this hillclimb next weekend 5/16-17.
Just wondering if anyone else has done this event, and perhaps share some words of wisdom.
More info here: http://www.hillclimb.org

[Mel Horn]

I believe Sue Saltsburg and Dave Arron have run Ascutney.

[Joe Foering]

In fact, they are running it this year!

[Mr2]

Good to hear! Now that you mentioned it, I recall seeing a thread about "running an old Jag" on their forum.
I've been watching some vids of others. It looks narrow, fast, and long; kinda like 3 Hershey's.
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_t ... 1&oq=ascut
I just have to never forget, I've must be able to drive back home!

[Mel Horn]

It looks narrow, fast, and long; kinda like 3 Hershey's.

More like 10...

You might also inquire about the road surface, it might not be as smooth as what we're used to...

[Sue Salsburg]

Fabio - we were going to run but have decided against it. David is just too busy with his customers to be away that long right now. What I can tell you: 1) the road has been recently paved about 2/3 of the way, top still bumpy. The turns are not overly tight at all & are well marked with arrows. 2) Some of the friendliest people you'll ever race with & the camping/setting is worth the trip. 3) the class structure is impossible to figure out - just go & have fun. 4) I haven't checked this year, but in the past, there was no insurance comparable to SCCA. The corner workers are perhaps not as well trained as PHA & the stations are not line-of-sight. I went over quite a drop & no one knew where I was for way too long. That's why they insist you have a horn! 5) lots of runs & almost no ego/micro management/power struggles. Good luck & let us know how it goes. Sue

[Mr2]

Sorry to hear you two won't make it. Thanks for your insight.
I did Mt. Okemo with this group last year, and it was a blast.
Yea, the roads really are "rally" material: frost heaves, pot-holes, crossing dirt,
and tree moss as their safer barriers!
Hopefully an uneventful roadtrip. I'll share the results/video.

[mckee]

I first raced Ascutney in 1972 and have done it a few times since. It is perhaps the most challenging of the VT courses. The 31 turns are numbered but so many of them are blind, one has to be extremely careful until one knows the course -- it takes a couple of years to do that. 31 turns are too many for my old mind to remember so I avoid the event these days and instead road race at NHMS. The road was repaved 2 years ago up to turn 23. From the bridge (turn 23) on up to finish is so rough in a live rear axle car you will have trouble keeping your feet on the pedals. Unless you have 4" ground clearance you should not attempt this course. Cutting too close to turn 15's apex one will find a sharp rock hiding in the grass next to the pavement. The repaved section has a steep crown like Rose Valley and one can exceed 120 MPH in several places -- not a good mix for the uninitiated. There are no guard rails -- just a wall of trees, rocks and ravines. Do not cut corners on this course. Keep all 4 wheels on the pavement.

Most newbies wreck on this course so I cannot recommend restraint too much. Take it easy until you know the course and are sure which way the bumps will toss you. You will also need a full cage (high front and rear hoops) and an oil pressure controlled electric fuel pump shutoff to pass tech. Mechanical fuel pumps need nothing. Fire extinguishers must have a metal nozzle. Check the rules at the NEHA web site: www.hillclimb.org. Tech will generally give you a pass on minor items the first time around. Stock autos and street legal (registered) slightly modified cars need no safety equipment except a fire extinguisher unless they exceed 'break out times'. Well driven Porsches and Subaru WRXs/ST1s, Evos, etc. can break out. If you break out, you are sent home. Caged cars have no breakout limitations.

There is a great campground at the park and the NEHA folks are extremely friendly and will go out of their way to make PHA folk feel at home. There is also a 'valve cover derby' being run during the breaks, so if you can build a racer out of an old valve cover and roller blade wheels (not more than 10 lbs) you get two events for the price of one. I believe they will also run some sort of TD rally after the course closes at 5 pm. There generally is a party in the campgrounds and many times everyone is invited to a huge dinner during the course of the weekend. Lunches are include with your entry fee.

Good luck,
Bob D'Amore

[Mr2]

Bob, thank you very much for your specifics. I hoped you or "Blazer Butch" would shed some light on this event. Thanks again!

[mckee]

Here are some excellent in car videos from Mt. Ascutney last weekend. Alex Grabau took these from his race car. He did have a mild "off" on one run but was able to recover and run again. He did an excellent job of capturing the excitement of his runs. Not sure what his car is -- either an Evo or ST1?

Please note how narrow the roadway is and the complete lack of guardrails. If anyone wonders why I make the long tows to PA. in preference to the closer VT. hills, these videos should give some clue as to why -- self preservation.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2znfuvvnfRc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aGZby_4LRm0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VMoB-QmOufg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=az2FbwVO4iE

Good luck to everyone this weekend in WV.,

Bob D'Amore

[Mr2]

Yea, Alex got FTD! Ran under 3min!! 500+hp, right-hand drive.

Ok, here's my 3:23 sec run. I'm delighted I survived my first attempt on this hair-raising course!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KVtoif6NDxg