Okemo Hillclimb(Vermont)

Had a fun time at the Okemo Hillclimb this weekend. If you were on the fence about trying one of these events, this a great one to start with. Resort Condos on site, with a nice pool complex for the kiddies, along with other stuff to do for the family if they don't like to watch you race. For some reason, I had never run this hill before as circumstances always conspired against it. I still have a lot to learn about the course. Plenty of time to be shaved offed. Corded a couple of tires in the process(They were 5 years old, so they were due). My car is basically made from scrap parts. It's basically a 2002 wrx, with exhaust and a crappy home tune. 12psi boost max.

Here is a video sample. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQwmwqKWCKg Hill breakout time is 2:43 and this is a 2:41.14. So those without a cage wondering how fast it really is being subject to the breakout, it's still pretty fast. The gent from Long Island wondering about how fast his volvo 240 might go, there was one at the event with turbo who did 2:50.86 Also met a GRM'er at the hill and I've forgotten your username(from outside Montreal). Nice to meet and speak with you. This is a hill that benefits the higher horsepower cars, and awd isn't as big a benefit as at some other hills.

sachilles wrote: Also met a GRM'er at the hill and I've forgotten your username(from outside Montreal). Nice to meet and speak with you.

That would be me. Nice to meet you too.

After spectating Saturday, that hillclimb is officially part of the to-do list for next year. Brought my FIL, and he liked it so much, that he told me he's dragging me there next year no matter what.

Good to note that the breakout time is fast. I'd really like to do one of these, and Vermont might be the place in which to do it.

Looks like fun. How long is it? Come on down and try a Pennsylvania hill some time!

2.7 miles. Hope to try a PA hillclimb sometime, it's on my bucket list, specifically pagoda or duryea.

fanfoy wrote:

sachilles wrote: Also met a GRM'er at the hill and I've forgotten your username(from outside Montreal). Nice to meet and speak with you.

That would be me. Nice to meet you too. After spectating Saturday, that hillclimb is officially part of the to-do list for next year. Brought my FIL, and he liked it so much, that he told me he's dragging me there next year no matter what.

Just do it, great bunch of folks. We have other climbs closer to you.

Would have been there if my cage was in. I'm tired of playing the sandbagging game haha

Glad everybody had a fun AND SAFE weekend.

sachilles wrote: The gent from Long Island wondering about how fast his volvo 240 might go, there was one at the event with turbo who did 2:50.86

That would be me, But I believe we spoke elsewhere

And yeah, that's much, much faster than that car can go. Even slower with me in it...

I just took days off for Okemo 2, Are you going?

It's doubtful that I'll compete, but I may work it for one day. The Burke hillclimb is shortly after. My wallet has a tough time affording both, and I love Burke. The series allows us to drop two events, and it would be the first one I miss so far. Regardless, glad to help you prep if you have questions.

Overall I finished 22 or 23rd out of 48. So I was in the middle. My trap speed at the fastest point was 95, where FTd was 120, non turbo cars where in the 70's.

Why did I always picture hill climbs were on dirt trying to crest a hill? This looked awesome

I ran Okemo a few years ago with my ZX2SR. Due to my being unfamiliar with the course I didn't have to worry about breakout time. Sunday runs amounted to one on a damp road, tractions as surprisingly good though, then we got washed out. The downhill returns was almost as much fun but you need good brakes.

jdbuilder wrote: Why did I always picture hill climbs were on dirt trying to crest a hill? This looked awesome

Those are hillclimbs as well. And to be fair, one wrong move and you mind find yourself doing just that.