More on the hillclimb, as per Mike Mittelstead's e-mails:
"There is a hillclimb at Cascade Lakes (southern Oregon west of Ashland in the Coast Range mountains) in late July. Camping on site, motels aways away (30 miles?). This event has only drawn 25 entrants, and maybe in danger of being discontinued, so there is room for anyone wishing to give it a go, and the opportunity to keep the event going (one of only two in OR/WA). It is held at a resort site, so there are other attractions for folks not wanting to enter. Entry costs about $45 for four runs up 2 miles of paved Forest Service road. This is a solo run timed event, not wheel-to-wheel, and just an opportunity to have a mountain road all to yourself."
"Requirements: Regular driver's license and approved helmet (Snell SA85, loaners available, long sleeve cotton shirt. Car needs seat/shoulder belt (stock 3 point is OK), approved fire extinquiser with inspection tag less than a year old and mounted in a metal bracket. Plus usual of: securely mounted battery (no bungee cords), positive throttle return spring (stock OK, dual recommended), no loose bearings, real basic stuff. No competition driving experience is required, only common sense and a realistic evaluation of one's own driving experience. As you can see, requirements are simple.
Classes: Regular SCCA Solo 2 classes for Stock and Street Prepared, and SCCA road race classes for Prepared or Modified cars, plus a couple of other "catch all" classes.
Comments: I'd suggest that novices to the sport not be concerned with classes, just do your personal best and learn the course safely. This is not the place for novices (no matter how experienced) to try a ballsout, banzai run since the course is lined with normal Forest Service road objects (trees mostly). I've found that one can have a heart-pounding ride at little personal risk if you just don't get crazy. Be aware that the air is filled with testosterone by some of the hillclimb regulars that have the same mindset as rodeo bullriders.
Course work: Competitors need to help work the course, usually by staffing a checkpoint. Great (and only) opportunity to see (only a small portion) of the course, and get acquainted with fellow drivers. Therefore, entry does consume most of the day. One can enter for one day if necessary, but only two runs per day.
Course: Usually about two miles long with approx. 20 turns and an elevation gain of 700 to 1300 feet. Paved road, no dirt or gravel. One the course is memorized, many turns provide a high (but safe) pucker factor by virtue of entering at a speed in excess of how far you can see down the road. You just have to have a blind faith that you "know" the road goes left (or right? which turn is this anyway?). There are signs to identify the major turns. Be prepared to learn how the camber of the road can work for, or against, you on each turn. Maps are available for study, and usually one can (slowly) drive the course on Friday afternoon. Speeds are normally in the 30-60 mph range, tho' some of the regulars in high power cars can see 85 mph! All this on a road that would normally be posted at 10-25 mph. Like I said: Pucker Factor."
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