PA Hillclimb

Attention, drivers, workers, family & friends: The PHA Banquet is November 12, 2011 at the Holiday Inn Hershey/Harrisburg. It is at exit 80 of Interstate 81. As in the past, there will be a business meeting before the banquet. The banquet will have a tropical island theme. Watch "latest news" on this site for more info.

All hands,
I forgot to mention: Just because there is a tropical theme for the banquet does not mean there is a costume contest...at least not official or for prizes. We are hoarding our loot for grog and chow. At least the tropical dress will be comfortable. And, if you disapprove, it is ok to wear a tuxedo, a business suit, or whatever. Please, no greasy jeans and tee shirts.

Is there a block of rooms set aside? If so what is the contact info?

Yes, a block of rooms is set aside. Call the Holiday Inn for reservations and mention Pennsylvania Hillclimb Association.

FV95 wrote:Call the Holiday Inn for reservations and mention Pennsylvania Hillclimb Association.

Aloha John,
Could you please provide the phone number for the Hershey Holiday Inn? Do you know the PHA special rate we are supposed to receive? Just want to know so we are sure we are getting the PHA special rate.

Thank you!
Mary Anne

PS: Carving out my coconuts as we speak!

Holiday Inn - 717-469-0661.

Rate is $99.

If I am correct, there were 10 king rooms and 20 doubles. Just be sure to verify the $99 rate when you book.

Aloha Stevil,
Thanks for the info! Of course the invitation came in the mail at the same time.

I must get back to carving my coconuts, they are rather big, so it's going to take some time. Question is, should I carve happy faces on the front??

Mary Anne

Only eleven rooms left as of 1:40pm today

If you are in the area, and would like to visit PHA Museum & Archives...I can be open 1-5ish. As always, I do have a family gathering the same day...so I will not be at the banquet.

Drop me a PM if you think you'd like to visit...If I don't hear from anyone....I'll be heading out of town earlier.

The deadline for ads in the Banquet Program is now past. BUT, THERE IS STILL TIME TO REGISTER TO ATTEND. PLEASE LET ME KNOW BY 11/4 IF YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE BANQUET. (email me at: jjpfoto@earthlink.net; call me at 717.241.9758 or my cell 717.226.0459). Remember this is a tropical theme, so be loud and casual, or be a pirate, or wear a tux or formal gown (not in the theme, but WTH). We are not only presenting annual awards but thanking the volunteers who made the season possible. Donations toward offsetting volunteer meals are still being accepted. And, do not forget, THANK THEM when you see them there.
See you at the banquet!!
Now, get back to the garage and continue prep for the 2012 season.

New Shirt $49, New Slacks to match shirt $42, New Sneakers $52, Booster for program $15, Gas to get to Banquet $35, Estimated cost of Liquid refreshment $100, SPENDING TIME WITH ALL MY FRIENDS PRICELESS!

Thanks Morg. I find spending time with myself is priceless also.

Looking forward to seeing you and everyone else on Saturday.

Thanks to Linda, John & their group for a great banquet. Liked the buffet style - didn't have to listen to David whine about stuff he won't eat! The videos were super -thanks Steve & Nancy - really brought back memories. Morg's poem was too funny - you knew where some of the rhymes were going & started to laugh even before the punch line. Loved it! And no fighting at the meeting? Priceless!!! Hugs to all, Sue

Yes, a great job by everyone involved. I liked the casual theme and I much prefer the buffet to the sit-down dinner. Nice stuff on the auction and door prize tables, too. Congratulations to all the award winners and to Sue for her induction to the Hall Of Fame.

Rich Rock

I second Rich Rock's post. Congratulations to "OLD CAT" for her induction to the Hall Of Fame.

I was asked to post this years poem for those that did not attend:




Anatomy of a Hill Climber

Hill Climbing is a sport,
That's extremely old.
Famous people have driven,
So I've been told.

Many drivers have climbed,
In the last hundred years.
But the reason they do it,
Isn't all that clear.

I have often wondered,
What a Hillclimber's made of.
Why they risk their life,
for the sport that they love?

Why they give up vacations,
Hold up paying those bills,
Just to go to some towns,
And race up some hills.

There isn't prize money,
Nor trophies of sort.
They do it because,
of the love of the sport.

Some drivers have crashed,
hit a rock or a tree.
Rolled over on their top,
Bruised an arm or a knee.

For the average person,
This would be enough.
To give up the sport,
And sell all their stuff.

But two weeks later,
With a whole bunch of work.
The Hill Climber's back racing,
Even though they may hurt.

So Hill Climbers are special,
That's needless to say.
They are all very different,
In so many ways.

Not limited by sex,
Nor size or shape.
They have one thing in common,
They all love to race.

Age isn't a factor,
That sets them a part.
Some drivers are young,
Some like me an old fart.

They come from all over,
From towns big and small.
And Hundreds of miles,
Their cars will they haul.

The drivers start arriving,
Sometime Friday night.
They set up their campsite,
Then grab a quick bite.

The bathroom facilities,
Aren't what you might think.
There's a hole in a box,
With no shower or sink.

Most sleep in their trailers,
A car or a tent.
Trying to rest thru the night,
For the weekends event.

It's just not the racing,
That drives them to run.
Spending a weekend with friends,
Definitely adds to the fun.

The occupations of Hill Climbers,
Are as diverse as it comes.
And they work very hard,
For just 8 weeks of fun.

We have Doctors and Teachers,
And retired State Police.
One thing is for certain,
They all love to compete.

Their race cars all different,
They all draw a crowd.
Some engines are quiet,
While others are loud.

One gal has a mascot,
that rides right beside her.
And there's a car has a tail,
that looks like a tiger.

There's a Bug that's a Beetle,
And a Shark that has wings.
These crazy Hill Climbers,
Drive most anything.

There's a viper, a lotus,
And a bug eye sprite.
If I named all their cars,
I'd be up here all night.

Most drivers speak English,
And that's really great.
Except for those Cass Guys,
That say "Hi there Mate."

Some drivers have nicknames,
From the fans you might hear.
There goes the OZ, Mr. Evil,
The spectators will cheer.

There's 12 nut McLaughlin,
Tiger Muffin Matt Rowe.
And Big Ears Kurt,
Are some names you might know.

I too have some nicknames,
I'm reluctant to tell.
And prefer that the spectators,
Would not yell.

There's one day Morgan,
Boy that one hurts.
And wrong way Wilson
Who starts in reverse.

My good friend Norma,
Calls me chunky,
And my second wife Kurt,
Refers to me as Sir Grumpy.

I've earned all these nicknames,
I'm sorry to say.
And I'm afraid the'll be with me,
Till my dying day.

Some also have names,
For their shinny race cars.
Gracie comes to mind,
Sues pretty Jaguar.

There's another nickname,
I know you have heard.
It has to do with a group,
From the town of Pittsburg.

If your in the pits,
At any one hill.
You may see a sign,
That says Wankerville.

This towns population,
Has increased from the past.
The door slammers that reside there,
All drive pretty fast.

What happens in Wankerville,
Isn't perfectly clear.
But rumor has it they consume,
A whole bunch of Beer.

I really don't know.
Where the term Wanker came from.
But there a great group of people,
That have a whole bunch of fun.

So who are these people,
that run up the hills?
Drive their cars very fast,
to give the spectators a thrill.

They gather together,
9 times a year.
8 events of racing,
and a banquet with beer.

If you ask any Hill Climber,
why he gets in the car.
There are some that may answer,
It's the quickest way to the bar.

But from most of the drivers,
You will probably hear,
It's not all that simple,
And not all that clear.

Some say its the feeling,
Of driving quite fast.
And running the hills,
By the seat of your ass.

Others will tell you,
They just love to compete.
And winning their class,
Is just so very neat.

Older drivers may tell you,
It makes them feel young.
And the Novice will say,
It just plain outright fun.

For me Racing the Hills,
Is like having great sex.
Except when I'm Racing,
I don't run out of Gas.

Whatever the reason,
Each driver may say.
There is one thing they agree on,
At the end of each day.

They are part of a fraternity,
That love to play.
And belong to a family,
Called the PHA.

This family has a leader,
And a good one for sure.
His title is President,
And his name is Tom Knorr.

To become a member,
It does take some guts.
And it doesn't hurt,
If your a little bit nuts.

It's not just the drivers,
That make up this clan.
The volunteers and workers,
Also give us a hand.

Without working together,
This family would fold.
And all of our race cars,
Would need to be sold.

The towns that we run,
And the people we meet.
Are one of the reasons,
We all love to compete

So in summary,
Who exactly these hill climbers are.
That travel from distances,
Both near and far.

They are devoted and loyal,
And really quite great.
They all help one another,
Whatever it takes.

Yes I am a hill climber,
I'm proud to say.
I'm part of this family,
And I'm here to stay.

One of the biggest reasons,
I do what I do.
Is the time that I spend,
With each one of you.

We were all born to hill climb,
What else can I say?
And we wouldn't have it,
Any other way.

Our cars are in storage,
Spare parts on the shelves.
Hope to see all of you,
IN 2012.

Tried to log on yesterday and it was one of those days I couldn't get logged on. So here's what I was going to write:

"ditto" "ditto" "ditto" !!!

And a personal congrats to Sue, you deserve it! (Mary Anne & Chuck on their knees in front of "Her Gracious Majesty, The Queen Old Cat" or "ROC" Royal Old Cat)....... "we are not worthy" ...... lol!! (post banquet Sue's party room joke)


PS: Morg, another great poem!

and after Sue has said many times that they would never let her in. Well deserved I think, she has done alot for the sport.
Congrats Sue you deserve it.
THOR

Well done Morg-again! and CONGRATULATIONS Sue!
Ted K.