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Giants Despair Hillclimb

The Giants Despair Hillclimb is a hillclimb which was established in 1906 in Laurel Run, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, United States, just southeast of its border to Wilkes-Barre Township.[2] The contest was first run in conjunction with Wilkes-Barre's centennial celebration.[3] It is the oldest continuing motorsport event in Pennsylvania.[3]

History and race features

Race drivers from across the nation gather annually on East Northampton Street, a road that winds its way through a 1 mile (1.6 km) section of Pennsylvania's steep mountains. Rising 650 feet (200 m), the course reaches grades up to 20% and has six turns—including the 110 degree "Devil's Elbow"— on the way to the top.[2][3]

The initial race was won in 2 minutes 11.2 seconds.[3]

During its first years, the race was used as a proving ground by the biggest names in the automotive industry. Louis Chevrolet raced the hill in 1909 driving for Buick. He won Event No. 2, Gasoline stock cars, selling from $851 to $1,250 in a time of 2:34.4 sec, his car being the only entry in the class. He is chiefly remembered for an accident: "A Buick with Louis Chevrolet driving, turned turtle on the course and narrowly missed a group of people. Chevrolet was not badly injured."[4]

Bill Milliken drove the AJB/FWD Butterball Special, #111, in 1955 finishing third overall in a time of 63.771 sec.[5]

Carroll Shelby,[6] Roger Penske, and Oscar Koveleski are just a few of the famous drivers that set out to tackle the mile. The hill has been paved many times and the records have been shattered. The current record holder is John Burke, who ran the course in 38.024 seconds in 2014.[7] Today, the Hillclimb is run on the second weekend of July and is organized by the Pennsylvania Hillclimb Association (PHA).[8]

Giants Despair events and past winners

Key: R = Course Record.

See also

References

  1. ^ STAFF REPORT (14 July 2014). "Burke sets Giants Despair mark". thetimes-tribune.com. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016.
  2. ^ a b "Giants Despair Hillclimb - Laurel Run, PA". Archived from the original on 2009-04-30. Retrieved 2009-06-16.
  3. ^ a b c d Nardone, Ralph (May 30, 2006). "Giant's Despair Hill Climb marks centennial". Northeast Business Journal. Northeast PA Business Journal. Archived from the original on 2014-02-04. Retrieved 2009-06-16.
  4. ^ The Patriot, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Wednesday, June 2, 1909, Page 6.
  5. ^ a b Sports Car, S.C.C.A. magazine, Sept-Oct 1955, Page 27.
  6. ^ Dallas Morning News, July 21, 1956, Page 11.
  7. ^ Pennsylvania Hillcimb Association. "John Burke takes Giants Despair record from Darryl Danko". Pennsylvania Hillclimb Association. Archived from the original on 2015-01-29. Retrieved 2014-12-11.
  8. ^ Pennsylvania Hillcimb Association. "Pennsylvania Hillclimb Association".
  9. ^ Trenton Evening Times, May 11, 1906, Page 15; New York Times, May 11, 1906, Page 10.
  10. ^ New York Times, May 31, 1907, Page 10.
  11. ^ New York Times, May 31, 1908, Page S1.
  12. ^ New York Times, Jun 1, 1909, Page 11.
  13. ^ Chicago Daily Tribune, June 15, 1910, Page 12.
  14. ^ Chicago Daily Tribune, October 22, 1916, Page F9.
  15. ^ New York Times, May 12, 1951, Page 30.
  16. ^ National Newsletter, S.C.C.A., No.2, July 30, 1952. Coupled with Brynfan Tyddyn road races.
  17. ^ National Newsletter, S.C.C.A., No.7, July 31, 1953.
  18. ^ Sports Car, S.C.C.A. magazine, Sept-Oct 1954, Pages 14-16, 18-20, 22, 44; Road & Track, November 1954, Page 28. Coupled with Brynfan Tyddyn road races.
  19. ^ National Newsletter, S.C.C.A., No.25, August 10, 1956; Dallas Morning News, July 21, 1956, Part 1, Page 11.
  20. ^ New York Times, July 24, 1957, Page 22; Sports Car, S.C.C.A. magazine, Sept-Oct 1957, Pages 20-22.
  21. ^ New York Times, July 19, 1958, Page 10.
  22. ^ Competition Press, August 27, 1960, Page 3.
  23. ^ Road & Track's Competition Press, Vol.7-No.3, Aug 12, 1961, Page 1; Sports Car, S.C.C.A. magazine, Sept 1961, Page 35.
  24. ^ New York Times, July 29, 1962, Page 122.
  25. ^ Road & Track's Competition Press, Vol.11-No.3, Aug 17, 1963, Page 6. See also obit: Competition Press and Auto Week, Vol.11-No.3, Aug 22-Sep 11, 1964, Page 3.
  26. ^ Competition Press and Auto Week, Vol.11-No.3, Aug 22-Sep 11, 1964, Page 6.
  27. ^ Competition Press and Auto Week, Vol.15-No.4, Aug 28, 1965, Page 9.
  28. ^ Competition Press and Auto Week, Vol.18-No.33, Aug 31, 1968, Page 9.
  29. ^ Competition Press and Auto Week, Vol.19-No.33, Aug 30, 1969, Page 23.
  30. ^ For the story of Ray Caldwell, race car constructor, see: Competition Press and Auto Week, Vol.21-No.33, Aug 28, 1971, Page 5; Competition Press and Auto Week, Vol.21-No.34, Sep 4, 1971, Page 5.

External links