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.

There are no events to display.

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).

Any driver or vehicle eligible for our driver's schools is eligible for this hillclimb (prior ADS school 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 2008 event:

  • Friday, September 12
    • 4:00 - 6:00pm - Tech Inspection (pit area)
    • 4:00 - 6:00pm - Auto Road open to participants
    • 7:00pm - Italian Buffet ($33) at Auto Road Lodge (cocktails at 5:30pm)
  • Saturday, September 13
    • 6:30 - 8:00am - Breakfast ($7.50 - Auto Road Lodge)
    • 7:00 - 8:00am - Tech Inspection (pit area)
    • 8:00 - 11:30am - Hill Climb
    • 7:00pm - Dinner at Eagle Mt. House (cocktails at 6:00pm)
  • Sunday, September 14
    • 6:30 - 8:00am - Breakfast ($7.50 - Auto Road Lodge)
    • 8:00 - 11:30am - Hill Climb

There are details (Word) on the 2008 event. If you need more information or have questions, feel free to 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 Saturday, September 13, 2008.