Mt. Washington Climb to the Clouds June 22-26, 2011

I bet this will turn out to be a great event. At least part of the road is asphalt free. I look forward to being assigned to shoot the five day event and capturing some good action shots. Who's already planning on going?

http://www.rallybuzz.com/mt-washington-climb-to-the-clouds-2011/

Barry Sommers Freelance Photographer for Grassroots Motorsports

In reply to barrysomm: Mmmm, this and NEFR so close... Must do both!

Now this is exciting! What a great venue. I love this road even when it is filled with the maniac school bus drivers. (Sometimes called tour guides)

Kinda a shame so much is paved now-a-days. When the always expected rains and storms kick in the participants will likely wish they had less pavement to contend with.

I guess this is the official site. No technical stuff though. Nice looking page though:

http://www.climbtotheclouds.com/

Cool. I volunteered to work the stages at the 2010 NEFR and I had a blast! I'm going to try to do it again in 2011. Do you know if Climb to the Clouds is accepting volunteers?

I think it is too soon for volunteer, media, spectator and participant info to be available, on line at least. I imagine some teams will run this then do NEFR after a two/three week repair and recovery. No doubt the organizers are working on making the hillclimb most appealing to the most teams willing to pay the highest entry fee. At least one day could be just practice runs. But not so if in keeping with stage rally tradition. But hillclimbers like to memorize the hill before the first timed run, I believe.

The Joe Dodge Lodge is 2 miles from the start line and they still have vacancy. I am betting Vermont Sports Car and Rally America/Rally Cars will make this event part of American motorsports history.

Just received this via email from Paul Giblin, Event Director, Climb to the Clouds:

"Here’s the proposed schedule for next year’s event:

Wednesday - June 22, 2011: Registration, Check-in, Tech, evening Mountain bike race open to the public at the base area.

Thursday - June 23, 2011: On-course Recce in either a passenger car or race car at posted speed limits, evening Trail running race open to the public at the base area.

Friday - June 24, 2011: Timed practice on half the course – lower or upper half – depending on weather from 7am to Noon, Recce in the afternoon as on Thursday, activities at the base area, possible concert Friday evening, VIP Reception (invitations required).

Saturday - June 25, 2011: Timed practice on half the course – lower or upper half – depending on weather from 7am to Noon, Recce in the afternoon as on Thursday, activities at the base area, possible concert Saturday evening.

Sunday - June 26, 2011: The “Climb to the Clouds Hillclimb” – two complete runs on the full 7.6 mile course for all competition cars – first timed run from 7am to Noon (approximate); Lunch break from Noon to 1pm; second timed run from 1pm to 6pm (approximate); awards at the base area to follow 2nd timed run.

As we continue to finalize the different classes, safety requirements and application process, we’ll be updating our web site: www.climbtotheclouds.com – so please be sure to check the site from time to time for updates."

If you are contemplating entering this event let us know.

I'm planning to be there in one capacity or another. Had every intention to enter, but having wrecked my car this fall, I'm not sure if I can swing getting a new car on the road AND the entry fee. I do plan on working the event, if not driving.

Nice promo page in the December issue. No gardrails to deal with. :)

As a photographer my job is to collect an image that when published provides the reader with the sense of what it would have been like to have been there and more if possible. There are some shots from Pikes Peak with the car drifting around a hairpin, dust flying and road in the background. Cool but maybe someone has seen something even better. I am looking for new ideas. Thanks

My son, www.randalsommers.com, is a high end video editor in Miami. We comcluded that use of an aircraft improves the ability of a videographer to collect suitable footage but on a treeless mountain still photography can best be done from the ground. I can only hope that the volunteer marshals are reasonable in their control of the media.

Barry A. Sommers, Sr. Freelance Photographer for Grassroots Motorsports

hope there is enough room for giblins ego at the event.

Marks calendar

Hope to be there, camera in hand

The application/registration process is underway.

As of Tuesday night there were I think 7 applicants. Entrance I believe is $850, which is pretty reasonable.

Sports Car Club of New Hampshire was chosen as the sanctioning body, which means I'll be getting to spend a lot of time on the mountain!

I've got a freind who striped the top of the body off his dwarf and hill climbs it now. He's done this race a few times. I just don't have the balls or the $$ to do it.

I'll be there all 5 days and should be able to post here as the event unfolds. I hope to get assigned to shoot it for Grassroots so I have better access and maybe some free rides up and down the hill. :)

I'll be there all 5 days as well. Barry, Volunteer for media assistant and get access to everything.

Grassroots has asked me to shoot this. Indications are a bit of rock climbing may be needed to get the right shot so I am climbing Sunday afternoons for the next few months. Weather is a big factor!

Man.. I'm moving that weekend. New job July 1.

ARGHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!