Hill climber! Drivers needed!!

rdane · rdane's Garage

Guys I have permission to use a closed circuit hill climb on Saturday May 21st. If we get a large turn out we can use the hill both Saturday and Sunday.

If you have ever wanted to experience driving some of the great mountain passes of Europe here is a similar experince but on a closed road here in the USA.

Here is a description of the road:

8.5 miles long. Has 62 turns and 17 switchbacks. The straight aways will get you 100+mph if you have the stones for the 2nd gear banked corners on each end with major disaster potential. It could be a wild ride! The drive gains momentum as you gain height and the straights become shorter, the banks higher, the hair pins even tighter as the drop off on each corner grows to over 3000 feet! Comforting thought if the brakes fail or you hit a corner a little hot.

This is a "test" session for a semi annual event we are putting together. Cost is $100 per car, there is a car tech required as well as approved helmet and fire proof gloves.

Course will be open for driving from 9am to noon and again from 1pm to 6pm. You'll get more driving in that you'll want at 10 minutes a run

Decent is via a the freeway which runs along side the old grade. Fast down via the freeway and fun driving up! Cars will be staggers for the up hill runs with spotters and EMS available.

This is not a race and there is no official timing.

It is a Full days drive one way from Seattle to Grangeville Idaho.

A recent thread is here:

I got good grades in Idaho!

Send me a PM if you are interested in joining us.

MotoSook · 03-31-2005, 12:18 PM

OH MAN! How can you dangle such a thing in front of us Dane! I can't do it this year, but if it becomes an annual thing...count me in..next year!

Eric Mckenna · 03-31-2005, 12:18 PM

I'd be there if I could I would LOVE to run that Hill..
Is the car ready Dane?

MotoSook · 03-31-2005, 12:20 PM

Caravan out to Idaho next year Eric?

Eric Mckenna · 12:27 PM

If they have it next year S-man you bet-tugh believe it!! I'll go with ya up there...

rdane · rdane's Garage

Gonna happen again in Sept 24/25 this year and semi annually after that. I have a meeting next month with the local government and business to put FIVE of these old grades together into a week long tacmac rally!! So get your maps out and start planning

Drago · Drago's Garage

Where the heck do you find all this free time Dane

MotoSook · 03-31-2005, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by rdane
Gonna happen again in Sept 24/25 this year and semi annually after that. I have a meeting next month with the local government and business to put FIVE of these old grades together into a week long tacmac rally!! So get your maps out and start planning

You are evil Dane! Forget the local tracks..I'm going hill climbing brother! You with me E-man? We'll film it make a lo-$ movie

Jamie79SC · 03-31-2005, 12:56 PM

AAArgh. I'm traveling on business for the May date. I've got to make September!

jluetjen · jluetjen's Garage

For your sake I hope that you have event insurance coverage...

(For your sake)

rdane · rdane's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by jluetjen
For your sake I hope that you have event insurance coverage...

(For your sake)

Of course or the county wouldn't close the roads for us.

The week long event isn't a pipe dream. This is just the first test.

Drago · Drago's Garage

Is it bad of me to rather do this than the Round-Up?

rdane · rdane's Garage

If I had to choose?

No question I would head east. We can drive in the forest any time.

ignatius · 03-31-2005, 02:23 PM

This sounds downright frightening, and quite intriguing. If I read it right, this is in Idaho?

Jamie79SC · 03-31-2005, 03:01 PM

But you're doing both, right Marc?

island911 · 03-31-2005, 03:30 PM

The last time I drove that grade it was in pretty poor shape.

have any improvements been made to it in the last few years?

rdane · rdane's Garage

It was in good shape last summer when I drove it half a dozen times at speed. And will be repaved and resealed again in June of '05 and swept before each event.

island911 · 03-31-2005, 03:45 PM

Excellent.

rdane · rdane's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by ignatius
This sounds downright frightening, and quite intriguing. If I read it right, this is in Idaho?

Correct, it is central Idaho.

Frightening? As a passenger yep I might suspect so. My wife's quote when asked her impression was "9 miles of abject terror! " That said after she sat through her first quick run in the passenger seat while I narrated each turn and the obvious end result of loosing your concentration or having a mechnical failure.

But then she is a bit of a control freak and I am a bit of an AH

She is also afraid of heights and serious drop offs

And not a big fan of riding shotgun on the track either.

20 minutes later she wanted to do it again even after all of that.

No question, you and your car had better be prepared. But they should both be prepared anyway. Driving stupid on this road will do more than bend a fender.

I'll just be you and the road....no one to follow or push you.

MotoSook · 03-31-2005, 06:15 PM

I think a roll bar should be mandatory. The closer to a race car set up the better. Going of course won't just require a hosing off with the high pressure washer. We all tell ourselves we'll take it easy and stay in our safe zone, but when the adrenaline starts flowing, things change...and they can change fast.

Sure times won't be posted, but when guys like us get together there is bound to be competition!

I'm not trying to suggest regulation to dampen the fun, but individually we should think of our own safety. A bad incident will taint everyone's weekend.

Requiring a tech inspection is an excellent idea, but this is nothing like a DE. Tell me to shut up if I'm off base, but I plan to have a roll cage in my car for such an event. And I definitely think this will be a great event!, and I hope Dane's plan takes root!