Press Release

Climb to the Clouds 2005

Vintage Car Weekend Announced

Pinkham Notch, NH

The “Climb to the Clouds” is returning to the Mt. Washington Auto Road in 2005 with a vintage Hillclimb and vintage exhibition and car tour. The event dates back to 1904. After the highly successful Climb to the Clouds Centennial Celebration held in July, 2004 at the historic Auto Road, it was thought to be the final chapter of this car race up the Northeast's highest peak. But after several meetings of review, the organizers have decided to use the weekend as a model for creating a new annual event. The three principal organizations working together on the event are the Mt. Washington Auto Road, The Vintage Sports Car Club of America (V.S.C.C.A.), and the Granite Region of the Antique Automobile Club of America (A.A.C.A.).

Scheduled for July 9-10, 2005, the Climb to the Clouds Vintage Car Weekend will feature a vintage car race up the Mt. Washington Auto Road to halfway up the 6,288 ft. peak. Like the 2004 event, vehicles from the 100 year history are expected to compete along with other cars of noteworthy race and automotive history. The Vintage Sports Car Club of America returns as the organizer of the Hillclimb. Their mission is the preservation and active use of vintage sports and racing cars. Tom Ellsworth of the V.S.C.C.A. had this to say about the return of the event, "The Vintage Sports Car Club of America is ecstatic about the decision made by the Auto Road to make last year's celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Climb to the Clouds an annual event. The resurrection of this event as a vintage automotive festival will make the Climb to the Clouds one of the most historic automotive events in the country. We are delighted to be partnering with Antique Automobile Club of America in this endeavor."

Some of the vehicles from the history of the Climb to the Clouds that were on hand in 2004 included: a 1904 Orient Buckboard that actually competed in the 1904 race, a Ford Special known as the Old Gray Mare, driven by John C. Reuter in 1935 and Lem Ladd in 1938, a Ford Amilcar Special driven by George Rand in 1938, Alfa Romeo 2300 driven by Barron Collier in the 1930s, Arden Alligator Special driven by Miles Collier in the 1930s, Maserati V8RI Grand Prix car driven by Phil Cade in the 1950s, and a 1955 “Cheetah Special” driven by John Plaisted in 1956.

Also returning to the site of America's oldest manmade attraction is a vintage tour and car exhibition organized by the Granite Region of the Antique Automobile Club of America (A.A.C.A.). Nearly 100 very significant vehicles were on display in 2004 and more are expected for 2005.

As Larry Cossar of the Granite Region of the Antique Automobile Club of America reflected on the very successful 2004 event, he stated that “"the Granite Region of the Antique Automobile Club of America was thrilled to participate in the historical 100^th Anniversary event. The support of the newly formed regional group was overwhelming and the varied mix of unique vehicles was just outstanding."” Award winning vehicles included a 1907 Autocar racer, a 1910 Hupmobile Runabout, a 1923 Oldsmobile Sport Touring, a 1931 Cadillac Phaeton, a 1931 Essex Super Six Coupe, a 1932 Studebaker 4 Season Roadster, a 1941 Chevrelot Super Deluxe Convertible, a 1950 Buick 46D Special Sedan, a 1960 Cadillac 62 Coupe, a 1957 Studebaker Golden Hawk Coupe, a 1950 8N Tractor and a 1911 Kelsey Motorette was awarded the Best of Show by the Auto Road. Some of the other marques that were represented on the field included Mercer, E-M-F, Stanley, Chalmers, Ford, Chrysler, Franklin, Jordan, Willys, Mercury, MG, Pontiac, Plymouth, Porche, Austin-Healey, Volkswagen and Bentley. This year vehicles manufactured up to and including 1970 will be displayed on the show field along with a celebration of the 50^th Anniversary of the Ford Thunderbird. Work has started on some new family oriented events that will expand the weekend. The very popular Sunday tours of the Mt. Washington Valley and White Mountain region will continue to be part of the weekend activities. “"We are excited about returning in 2005. So block out July 9^th and 10^th or either one of the days but come and join us for another memorable event in the Mt. Washington Valley with some of the rarest and finest vintage vehicles in New England"”, said Cossar.

“"When we discontinued the Climb to the Clouds in 2001, we really felt as if it was the end of the event",” said Mt. Washington Auto Road General Manager, Howie Wemyss. “"There just wasn't much interest from the public or the media to warrant the expense and effort. We held the event this year because we wanted to mark the 100 year anniversary, and with the emphasis on its history, the Vintage Car Hillclimb and a very impressive vintage car exhibition, we found tremendous interest. Magazines and automotive publications are still writing about the 2004 Climb to the Clouds. So, with the emphasis on vintage cars, it will return for 2005 and the foreseeable future”."

The race was originally created in 1904 by early auto manufacturers to showcase their new inventions. The steep and narrow Mt. Washington Carriage Road (now the Mt. Washington Auto Road) was considered to be the ultimate site to prove the abilities of these now historic vehicles.

Placing first in the first Climb to the Clouds, Harry Harkness drove an $18,000 60 HP Mercedes up the 7.4-mile course in 24 minutes, 37 seconds. F.E. Stanley, one of the inventors of the Stanley Steamer, driving a 6-HP $670 Stanley Runabout, placed second with a time of 28 minutes 19-2/5 seconds.

Many well-known drivers competed and won the event such as "Cannonball" Baker in 1928 & 1932 and Carroll Shelby in 1956. Driving a Franklin in 1928, Baker raced to a time of 14:49.6 seconds. Shelby, driving a specially prepared Ferrari roadster, posted a record run of 10:21.8 seconds on his way to victory in 1956. Frank Sprongl's course record of 6 minutes 41.99 seconds set in 1998 and Jerry Driscoll's incredible top speed of 113 mph in 1999 stand as two of the more memorable milestones on the Auto Road.

On Saturday July 9, 2005 the vintage racecars will take their practice runs up the Auto Road with the race held on Sunday July 10. The vintage car exhibition will also be held on Saturday and informally on Sunday morning during the timed events. Later in the afternoon on Saturday, the exhibition of cars will head to Jackson Village for a special display in the center of town with assorted village activities to be held from 4:30 pm –– 6:30 pm.

Opened in 1861 and celebrating its 144th consecutive season in 2005, the Mt. Washington Auto Road has been the route each year for tens of thousands of visitors traveling to the summit of 6,288 ft. Mt. Washington, the highest peak in the Northeast.

For more information about the 2005 Climb to the Clouds Vintage Car Weekend call 603-466-3988 or visit the event website at www.ClimbtotheClouds.com. To inquire about registration for the vintage hillclimb, contact Tom Ellsworth at pkfbos@msn.com. For information about the vintage car exhibition, contact Shirley Cossar at 603-778-4788 or by e-mail at scossar@comcast.net.