PA Hillclimb

May 10th 1906…the winner Hugh N. Harding of New York in a 45 HP Daimler. The car was actually entered in two events: Cars $9,000 and under & the Free For All…it won both. It ran a 2:11 in the $9,000 class & a 2:16 in the Free For All. Over 40,000 people watched the English built Daimler hit the 26% grade on a bitterly cold day (New York Times coverage May 11 1906)

May 30, 1907 - Jimmy Ryall driving a locally built Matheson car won the "Free For All" event at Giant's Despair. His 60 HP Matheson got him to the top with a time of 1:59.

Willie Haupt piloted his Chadwick 6 to the peek of Giant's Despair in 1908 with a time of 1:38…which was a new record. PA born Haupt would later start in 4 Indy 500 races.

Learn More here...although they state he won in 1907..but that is wrong( I have printed results):
http://www.historicracing.com/drivers_a ... phaIndex=H

The 1909 Giant's Despair Hill Climb boasted another great driver to reach the pinnacle of the mountain. David Bruce-Brown took his Benz up GD in a time of 1:31 again, breaking the hill record.

learn more here:
http://www.historicracing.com/drivers_a ... phaIndex=B

"Mephistopheles" makes it's mark on Giant's Despair in 1910. Driven by Ralph Depalma, yet another one of the era's greatest drivers, this 200 hp Fiat monster lowered the fastest time down to 1:28. This car and driver have a very celebrated path…...

Learn More:

http://www.historicracing.com/drivers_a ... phaIndex=D


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fiat_Mefistofele

There was a break in the action at Giant's after 1910. Due to the large crowds (reported over 100,000) the liability was getting to be too great. In 1916 the event was rekindled one last time prior to WWI.

Fred H. Junk was the victor in 1916…he drove The Chalmers Special with a time of 1:41.0. In that same year, he won the 230ci and under class at Pikes Peek. Couldn't find much on Mr. Junk…but the engine he used is in the Museum of American Speed.


Learn more about the engine:

http://www.museumofamericanspeed.com/Co ... E011.shtml

Now…get into your time machines…past World War I, The Great Depression, and World War II. After the war, the sports car craze really picked up. GI's got the taste for little sports cars while serving in Europe and started to ship them…dealerships starting to carry'em and so on. Where there was enthusiasts, there were clubs…when you have clubs…you need activities!! Giant's Despair was rekindled in 1951!! The rules and the length were changed a bit…but, of course we had the fastest!

Dellevan Lee of Grosse Point Michigan was the man at the 1951 Giant's Despair Hill Climb. He drove his Cadillac-Allard to the summit in 1:07.5. With this time Del "sets the bar" for the "modern" era.

In 1952 Giant's Despair's fastest was non other than Phil Walters, of West Palm Beach Florida, driving a Cunningham CR4K broke the previous year's record. Phil ran a 1:02.3



Learn more about Phil:
http://www.historicracing.com/drivers_a ... phaIndex=W

The 1953 event saw the return of Dell Lee as the one to beat…returning the Allard he ran a 1:04.3. His time was good enough to be the fastest but for the first time in the modern era the record was not broken.

Just a little more info on the trophy that you see being presented.

"The John Wells Hollenback Trophy—symbol of supremacy on Giants’ Despair. First presented by the late John Wells Hollenback, Wilkes-Barre sportsman and coal magnate, to the Wilkes-Barre Automobile Club in 1908. The fastest time recorded will have the right to have his name engraved upon this trophy so signifying. The Hollenback Trophy was made by Bailey, Banks and Biddle, Philadelphia, jewelers in 1908.

This trophy was awarded until 1962 when another award was given(talk about that one when we get there). If I'm not mistaken...this award is kept in some type of government building in Wilkes-Barre....anyone??

In 1954, yet another celebrated road racer tops the field at Giant's Despair. A. Erwin Goldschmidt takes his 4.5 Ferrari to the top in 1:01.26, breaking the 1952 record set by Phil Walters. Goldschmidt…as you recall from the Duryea thread was successful there in 1952, but in an Allard.

Learn more:
http://www.racingsportscars.com/driver/ ... t-USA.html

Ferrari roll on…Duncan Black (Black & Decker fame) takes another Ferrari to FTD honors at the 1955 Giant's Despair Hill Climb. His time of 1:02.4 makes him the fastest for the event but Goldschmidt retains the record. Note the MD tag on the front...street car!!

Learn more:
http://www.racingsportscars.com/driver/ ... k-USA.html

1956 was the first time that the Giant's Despair record went under a minute…for the third year in a row, it goes to a Ferrari but, this time it is piloted by someone you might have heard of…Carroll Shelby of Texas. Mr. Shelby took his GP Ferrari to the summit in a time of 58.768, a new record and one that will be tough to beat. It is also the first open wheeled car...that is from the modern era.

learn more:
http://www.historicracing.com/drivers_a ... phaIndex=S

The 1957 Giant's Despair Hill Climb is very interesting. Dr. Louis Winkler of Bethlehem piloting a Corvette was awarded the Hollenbeck trophy as the fastest competing…his time was recorded as a 58.35, which was a new hill record…BUT…he was not awarded the record. Written accounts state that there was a question that the timing equipment was accurate. ???? I don't know…and unfortunately at this time, I have no photographs of Dr. Winkler nor his car. I'll keep looking!!

In 1958 we saw the return of the Allard at the top of Giant's Despair. This time it is driven by Bob Bucher. His FTD winning time is 1:00.933. The Ferrari streak is over…but the record (excluding the Winkler run) stays with Shelby.


Learn more:
http://www.racingsportscars.com/driver/ ... r-USA.html

As we start to exit the 50's you must admit that this list of drivers is pretty impressive!? 1959 just keeps on rolling…Roger Penske joins the ranks of this elite group of drivers when he takes his Porsche RSK up Giant's in 59.1734. He goest under a minute but fails to break the record.

learn more:
http://www.historicracing.com/drivers_a ... phaIndex=P

The 60's begin and the one thing you'll notice from 51-59 there was never a back to back winner!! But someone was coming…and in 1960 that man was John Van Meyer or as it is more commonly see printed John Meyer. He bursts onto the scene in one of the most memorable specials of the 60's, the Meyers Special and takes down the record set by Shelby in 1956(or was it Winkler ). John sets the new record with a run of 57.587

With respect to the Winkler "record", I'll bet Oscar Kovaleski could shed some light on what went on that affected who held the record...politics?...Never!

note has been sent...we'll see what Oscar comes up with.

Mr. Meyer, of Locust Valley Long Island, returns again in 1961. He, along with the Meyers Special, better his record at Giant's by running a 56.576. He his the first to defend FTD honors in Giant's Despair history. Chasing him at this event…Bud Faust & Al Loquasto.