Flintstone Update

TKnorr · Post by **TKnorr** » Tue Jan 09, 2007 1:47 pm

On Sunday, January 7, 2007, fourteen people met in Bedford, PA to discuss the status of the 1.2 mile Polish Mountain Hillclimb in Flintstone, Maryland. The attendees included four from the Steel Cities Region of SCCA including Ray Colburt and Glen Hoffman, one from the Flintstone Volunteer Fire Company, five from National Road Autosport (local organizing committee), and four representing PHA (Gorgon Wise, Rich Sweigart, Rich Rock and Tom Knorr). Agreement of Responsibility was tentatively reached between National Road Autosport, the Flintstone Volunteer Fire Company, Steel Cities Region of SCCA, and PHA. The scheduling of this event for August 3-5, 2007 must be formally approved by PHA at our February 10, 2007 Organizational Meeting. A great deal of planning and organization has been done by the local organizing committee. Approval for the event has been reached with local governing bodies and local and state law enforcement. Approval from the state of Maryland is pending and a final decision is expected in the near future. The local organizing committe is very confident the event will be approved by the state.
Tom Knorr, PHA President

jgrausa · Post by **jgrausa** » Tue Jan 09, 2007 1:54 pm

Great job guys!!
Joe

Cumberland Racer · Post by **Cumberland Racer** » Tue Jan 09, 2007 3:22 pm

Great meeting and I was proud to be part of it, guys. Looking forward to showing you our unique brand of Western Maryland hospitality! As those who have been to one of our National Road Autosport events know, we'll do our best to make Polish Mountain worth the tow as your cordial and helpful hosts.

JekylandHyde · Post by **JekylandHyde** » Tue Jan 09, 2007 3:24 pm

Aboslutely awesome!

A big thanks to everyone involved for expanding the sport!

JekylandHyde · Post by **JekylandHyde** » Tue Jan 09, 2007 3:49 pm

In an earlier thread, Matt Green described the start as 1/2-way between the last house on the right and the 1st turn.

Which of the red dots on the left is closests to the start?

Is the first turn the right-hand kink by the second red dot or the first "significant" left-hand curve?

Which one of the three red dots on thr right is closest to the proposed finish? ... or is it even farther out that road?

How many "turns" is this being counted as?

Thanks again for all of the hard work!

Rich Sweigart · Post by **Rich Sweigart** » Tue Jan 09, 2007 10:06 pm

Jeff,

the start would be near the 3rd red dot from the left before the left hand sweeper.

the middle red dot on the right looks like the finish.

9 turns counted

From what everyone told us the field near the start line gets very wet when it rains and we will most likely be parking appox. 1 mile from the start line across from the fire hall.

As Tom mentioned in his post, much of the planning and organizing has been done; it is just a matter of putting on the event and getting everyone to come out.

JekylandHyde · Post by **JekylandHyde** » Wed Jan 10, 2007 7:18 am

Thanks Rich

Mwilson · Post by **Mwilson** » Sat Jan 13, 2007 4:39 pm

Sounds like we better bring plenty of gas to this hill. If we pit 1 mile away and get 11 runs for the weekend that's 22 miles just to get to the start line and back for the weekend. If it is a dry weekend must we still pit 1 mile away? One mile just seems like a very long distance to go. For us who live in the York area that's like driving from York to Harrisburg one way. Will there be communication from the start line to the pit area? Some of us have heating problems and may need to shut down the cars after the 1 mile hike.

Cumberland Racer · Post by **Cumberland Racer** » Sun Jan 14, 2007 7:56 am

Duly noted

There are a number of paddock options available, as this site has the advantage of both the Gilpin Road itself (part of the original National Road and in place since the late 18th century/early 19th century) and an alternate state route constructed sometime in the early 20th century taking a straighter course up and down Polish Mountain.

Gordon Wise and our group's leader, John Felten, are both aware of the possibility that an all-weather race paddock facing down the hill (westbound) may need to be developed in the third (climbing) lane (eastbound) on MD Route 144) This area would be close to the service road that connects MD 144 to Gilpin Road. Since we're planning to use 144 as a looping return road with escorts, this may well be the best event day paddock plan.

But no need to jump ahead. Our guys are real good at this kind of planning and we've been pouring over your PHA DVD's for reference. A small working group of SCR SCCA, PHA, NRA and Flintstone VFD folks are planning an early spring/late winter site visit to compare our "paper plan" with the real world issues of a three day competition meet.

Gordon is being very clear on the special needs of some of the more purpose built cars and we think we can accommodate with the awareness and support of relevent public safety agencies.

Our National Road group was chosen, to a degree for their wide backgrounds in management, public safety and technology.

Rascals that we are, we look decent on paper. Check out this "joint bio": CSX Locomotive Shop manager w/ 600 employees, Cumberland City Fire Chief, PR Company owner, Video production company owner, three rocket scientists from ATK, towing company/Navistar dealership owner, civil engineer, IT director for a global engineering company, a commercial real estate development guy and a dermatologist addicted to Corvette collecting with a wonderful farm that he opens for our picnics. If you didn't know us, you'd think we were upright citizens. Those who know us know better.

If it all goes as planned that mix can deliver a smooth running, technically supported, well promoted event with good eats and good times!

All good. We're listening! :

veehive · Post by **veehive** » Sun Jan 14, 2007 12:37 pm

Made a little Day Trip yesterday, to see this new venue for myself (a slow day, a little overtime $$ in my pocket, and a mileage run to check the health of my Dakota).

Very pleased to find that it took less than 3-&-a-half hours from home (Youngstown, Ohio), and at merely ordinary velocities (sub-speed-limit; watching that gas gauge)!

Super nice road. Very easy to find. GREAT pavement. Tighter than I had inferred from Mapquest/GoogleMaps/DeLorme/etc.

This is going to be such a great event. Looking forward to it VERY MUCH now!

David McKenney

Cumberland Racer · Post by **Cumberland Racer** » Sun Jan 14, 2007 1:25 pm

David,

Right on the money on the course, I think. Watching the DVD's, the trip up Polish Mountain on Gilpin Road seems like it will be "more technical" than some of the routes shown in your in-cars. And, yes, it is a very interesting stretch of road with a wonderful freshly paved surface...just dumb luck that such a neat route with so little traffic was on the list to get a fresh covering something like five years ago! I'll defer to more experienced hands as to how it fits in the eclectic combination of race roads that make up the PHA series.

There is a movement afoot in Maryland to do more tourism promotion based on the role of the old National Road in the history of Maryland. Dating back literally to pre-Colonial Days, it was also a colorful route in the early 20th century, with many "Radiator Springs" type towns along the way. Both our county and the state are doing more "accidental tourist" promotions encouraging city folks to take wandering driving tour getaways to the "Mountain Side of Maryland."

It is our hope here at Muppet Labs that our local organizing group can put the Polish Mountain Hill Climb on the map as an annual community event in the town of Flintstone in cooperation with the local fire department and incorporate it into the State of Maryland's annual tourist publications and promotions.

Our National Road bunch has close promotional alliances with this site: http://www.mdmountainside.com Can't you just envision how cool a great race car up the mountain shot would look in that rotating center panel??????

Glad you enjoyed your visit. Come back soon and bring friends.

Dave

Rich Sweigart · Post by **Rich Sweigart** » Mon Jan 15, 2007 9:21 pm

Morg,

If you are having over heating problems, I suggest that you coast that 25hp Briggs & Stratton on the return run like a bobsled.

Rich

FV195 · Post by **FV195** » Mon Jan 15, 2007 9:54 pm

Rich, when your beating Morg/ then give him a hard time, untill then just think of all the ways to pick on him(easy target"sorry Morg")
A return road rules, I'll be coasting my 20hp B&S down that.
20hp if the weather is right
THOR
keeping up the tail end of the Vee class

Mwilson · Post by **Mwilson** » Mon Jan 15, 2007 11:12 pm

Rich "get it right" it's a 7 and a half hp. I hate it when people get things wrong. And I used to think you were a nice guy

As for Thor anyone that has "Maroon colored hair," shouldn't pick on a "slightly grey haired" senior racer.

As for coasting that is what those "soap box cars" that you guys drive are good for. I just hope Flintstone isn't too steep for your vehicles. I would hate to see you get halfway up the hill only to loose steam and come down the hill backwards

Rich, seriously how is the solo car comming along? Hope to see you at more events this year. You have to come to keep the Pitmans on their toes.

redline designs · Post by **redline designs** » Tue Jan 16, 2007 2:51 pm

WOW....i have always thought that this stretch of road would be perfect for this. it makes it even better that its less than 2 miles from my house

. for all of you guys that wont be able to check it out untill the weekend of the event....you wont be dissapointed. ill try to take a run up the moutain w/ the vid cam and post it up on here for you guys as a teaser.. if you guys need any "very local" help just let me know.

also, i wonder if any of the "locals" will sign up in their 4x4s w/ mud up the side

Rich Sweigart · Post by **Rich Sweigart** » Tue Jan 16, 2007 7:46 pm

Morg,

If it makes you feel better, I only have a 3 hp Briggs along with the rest of the FVee gang except for the Boys from Dover; I think they have 3.1 hp.
I am still struggling on deciding on what car to run for 07. My options go from mild to wild. I am hoping that I will be in a new car for 07, otherwise I have trusty Womer #1 for backup.

Rich

GT1-hillclimber · Post by **GT1-hillclimber** » Wed Jan 17, 2007 8:11 pm

Hello Gang.

Is there a video yet of the road/course? Might generate some extra interest if we can get an idea of what to expect. Alot of us are planning our vacations.

Mash

JekylandHyde · Post by **JekylandHyde** » Wed Jan 17, 2007 8:40 pm

I will most likely be shooting the video of this course the weekend of Jan 27/28 .... it's possible it could happen this weekend, but I doubt it.

I'm actually putting something together that will help the entire hillclimb community. I've put a lot of time into it, and some other folks have donated some things as well ... it will be unveiled soon

I'd say the first weekend or two of February.

FV195 · Post by **FV195** » Thu Jan 18, 2007 1:15 am

Jeff, keep it legal, shooting the video, don't risk the whole event for some good footage, I'd love to see it too.
THOR

JekylandHyde · Post by **JekylandHyde** » Thu Jan 18, 2007 6:58 am

Thor, I'm not so foolish ... I appreciate you looking out for me though.
My only intent is to show the road, not set the first record.

I'm sure we would all appreciate a simple visual.

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