That looks like FUN! *sigh*
It is my own stupidity I am not doing things like this.
Photography Credit: Alec White/SCCA Appalachian HillClimb Series
As far as cars, you never know what you might see at a hillclimb. Sure, there are the perennial favorites, such as Miatas and Corvettes. But, then, there are also rides such as a Lamborghini Gallardo, a Toyota MR-S and the class-winning second-gen Chevrolet Camaro of Cody Puckett.
When it comes to the SCCA Appalachian HillClimb Series, there are no wrong answers as far as cars, according to Puckett.
“There are enough classes where you can run pretty much anything,” says Cody. “I prefer old, American, primarily Chevrolet, cars. That’s just what I grew up with. But any car can become a hillclimb car.”
Cody cut his teeth racing oval tracks, both on pavement and on dirt. He initially built his Camaro for Optima’s Search for the Ultimate Street Car. However, the Dragon HillClimb in North Carolina piqued his interest last year.
“It was intimidating, for sure,” Cody says of his first hillclimb. “It was a learning curve. I didn’t expect the road to be that fast, and the asphalt was all wore out and bumpy.”
It might have seemed fast because Cody broke the record time and won his first time out. While he built quite the ride, he credits his competitors for helping him overcome that learning curve.
“The people are extremely welcoming,” says Cody. “[My competitors] are ready to give any sort of information you need. Most racers know the faster you go, the more friends you lose. With this series, the people are the exact opposite. Every pass I got faster and faster, and they were excited for me and ready to give you tips to go faster.”
This season, Cody has been undefeated in his class. He won again last weekend at the Flag Rock HillClimb in Norton, Virginia. He’ll go for three for three at the end of July at the event where he began in hillclimbs, the Dragon HillClimb in Robbinsville, North Carolina.
Cody would love for you to join him. He offers the following advice for newbies:
“I always seem to do better when I have confidence in the car I’m driving. Take out most of [the chance] of having a mechanical break. The week or two before the event, I go through, nut and bolt, and put a wrench on every piece of the car. If you know you have a slimmer chance of breaking apart … you can focus more on learning the road and your driving.”
Appalachian HillClimb Series Round 2 Results
Flag Rock HillClimb
Flag Rock Recreational Area
Norton, Virginia
Course Info: 1.7 miles, 15 turns, with an elevation change of 920 feet
Total Number of Cars Taking Time: 48
King (Overall Winner) & Special Open Class
Justin Reed, 2016 DF Kit Car The Goblin, 1:42.638
Queen (Top Female Participant)
Tracy Gaudu, 2008 Chevrolet Corvette Z06, 1:52.615
Placed seventh overall and second in Modified Unlimited
FWD & Super Modified
Geoff Zimmer, 1980 Volkswagen Scirocco, 1:55.129
Sport Unlimited
Cody Puckett, 1970 Chevrolet 70.5 Camaro, 1:47.160
Modified Unlimited
Seth Monteleone, 2013 Scion FR-S, 1:52.258
Super Sport
Seth Rogers, 2009 Mini Cooper S, 1:55.184
Modified
Heyward Wagner, 1989 Honda Civic, 2:00.523
Special Limited
Greg Hagan, 1973 Lola T340, 2:01.427
Sport
Taylor Shead, 2002 Toyota MR-S, 2:02.328
Find complete results here.
The third round of the SCCA Appalachian HillClimb Series, the Dragon HillClimb, at Joyce Kilmer National Forest in Robbinsville, North Carolina, takes place July 29-30. If you’re interested in registering, click here.
That looks like FUN! *sigh*
It is my own stupidity I am not doing things like this.
I have to say I love the variety of cars at the hillclimbs. I'm hoping to make the next one in Robbinsville. The people are a blast, too.
Displaying 1-2 of 2 commentsView all comments on the GRM forums
You'll need to log in to post.
