The Mount Washington Hillclimb, also known as The Climb to The Clouds, is one of the most unique events in motorsports. Once a competative SCCA and Pro-Rally event, the hillclimb is now an informal and low-key event where VSCCA and BMW CCA drivers will compete to see who can post the two most consistent runs to a finish line just beyond the halfway point (4.8 miles).

This year, on Friday afternoon, and after the hillclimb each day, participants will have unlimited use of the full 7.4 mile auto road (posted speed limits must be obeyed). We will be joining the Vintage Sports Car Club of America, so you'll be sharing the mountain with some unique and interesting vintage racing cars.

  • The next Mount Washington Hill Climb is
  • Saturday September 13th, 2008 through Sunday September 14th, 2008
  • Starts at the base of the Mount Washington Auto Road. (directions)
  • Questions? Contact (603) 387-2082.
  • Cost: $290 Registration TBD

Requirements? Upcoming Events...

The portion of the road used for the competition is fully paved, though a bit rough in places. Lowered racing cars negotiate it without incident so this shouldn't pose a problem for our street cars. There will be an Italian dinner available to both clubs at the Auto Road Lodge on Friday night, and breakfast on Saturday and Sunday mornings (there will be an extra charge for these meals). On Saturday evening there will be an informal BMW CCA "tail gate" cookout in the paddock area. Hot dogs, burgers and non-alcoholic beverages will be provided by the club.

Any driver or vehicle eligible for our driver's schools is eligible for this hillclimb (prior ADSS is a requirement). Applications by non-member drivers with prior motorsports experience will be considered on an individual basis. This event will have the same requirements as our High Performance Driving Schools, including Tech Inspections form submission. Please understand, however, that this is a 7/10 event, meaning we are looking for people who will be content with merely a brisk (and safe) drive up the mountain. Those who might be interested in posting the fastest time (times will not be made public, by the way) should not apply.

Catch tanks (this can be a plastic coke bottle zip-tied to a fender well) will be required on cars that do not have an expansion tank. Expansion tanks have been in BMWs since the early 80's, so the vast majority of cars that run with us can now run the Mt. Washington event without any modifications. Contact Concord Motorsport (603-798-3700) or Vintage Sports Racing (603-228-2888) if you need help with the installation of a catch tank.

Here is the full schedule for the 2007 event:

  • Friday, September 14
    • 4:00 - 6:00pm - Tech Inspection (Paddock)
    • 4:00 - 6:00pm - Auto Road open to participants
    • 6:00 - 7:00pm - Italian Buffet ($33 - Auto Road Lodge)
  • Saturday, September 15
    • 6:30 - 8:00am - Breakfast ($7.50 - Auto Road Lodge)
    • 7:00 - 8:00am - Tech Inspection (Paddock)
    • 8:00 - 11:30am - Hill Climb
  • Sunday, September 16
    • 6:30 - 8:00am - Breakfast ($7.50 - Auto Road Lodge)
    • 8:00 - 11:30am - Hill Climb

For more information on the event, contact Ed Valpey.

Wonder what you're missing? Check out pictures from past events and there is a video (30 MB) from the 2007 event.

The most recent Mount Washington Hill Climb was on Friday, September 14, 2007.