According to Vic Darkwood in "The Gentleman's Guide to Motoring" there are only two required speeds for proper conveyance on the cariage ways: the moderate tootle, and the fair old lick. The one is useful for such purposes as assuaging the fears of nervous passengers , the other more purposed for rapid transport from point A to point B. Understanding that a proper gentleman would not consider an auto built before say 1974 as suitable for such activity, it was with relish that several hearty souls, rcm members all, determined to make a journey to the Northlands to discover the sites of public road racing which were notoriously used in the past 50 years - two of them still active today - by the Pa. Hillclimb Association.
Starting from the thriving metropolis of Walnutport and the culinary delicacies of Burger King, our first stop was the Weatherly Hillclimb. Two runs were attempted, actually completed, by the participants. As usual the tii set a brisk pace, though one tight corner required a downshift to 1st to avoid bogging on the subsequent climb. The famed jump was I think exciting for all.
Working from his shop on Robert Street, Dave Kacillas has been performing acts of mercy keeping a variety of Fiat spiders on the road for members of the South Jersey Fiat group. I met him when buying a hardtop for my rusty spider, and learned how he has put many of these wonderful, but undervalued cars back on the road. They all are prone to the tinworm, especially in the wheel arches, and Dave is a master at cutting out the offending areas and welding in the new pieces. The beauty of it is that he can do it at a cost which makes sense given the value of the car, and thus relics which otherwise would be left to waste away or make donations as parts cars can be repurposed. A true humanitarian! Anyway, Dave is now working his magic on the old Saab which Bill, Jeff, and I have had for a couple of years. It has devolved to my ownership, and now is getting tarted up a bit in preparation for display in the Saab tent at the Carlisle Import and Kit Car Show in May this year. From Diamond in the Rough to a bright sparkle as it were. It should look like this photo when its complete.
The action continued on the way up to the Bryn Fyn Tydden race course up in Harvey's Lake. Crossing the river, you pick up Route 29 which winds its way along Harvey's Creek, a gorgeous road. Smooth, sweeping turns, babbling streams, stone bridges, woods, lakes, views, everything a road warrior could desire. Unfortunately, there is also wildlife. Bill had to get up close and personal with a young deer who couldn't quite figure out who the proper users of these motorways should be. One fellow crossed in front of him, but another ran blindly into the front side of his SC Targa. spinning down the length of the side with a bunt from the rear wheel flare, he went spinning across the road, winding up on his back in the center. Those behind stopped, called police, and watched as the dazed fellow somehow clambered back up on his feet and stumbled off back into the woods. So Bill's virgin 911 patina is a bit worse for the wear. The rear fender looks as if it may affect wheel travel, and I suppose it may encourage him to douse the thing with a new coat of paint. So, it could have been worse, much worse, and a bit sobered the group continued on to Harvey's Lake.
It takes a bit a research and map studying to figure out its location, but I had done that last year, as this outing had been in the works for some time. We arrived on the course (going the wrong direction). I turned around and told the group to follow (if they could), as after doing this in the B GT, I was excited to try it in the 02. I took off at a brisk pace with Dave following close behind. It starts out down in a valley, but soon makes a sharp right and begins a steep uphill section with a couple challenging curves. At the top, it opens up where a large horse farm is visible on the right. A georgian mansion ala Tara peeks through some trees. Then another sharp right, and the course winds its way through some woods on the backside of the farm. Look out for the logging trucks! Another sharp right puts you back on the road through the valley where we started. The second lap after the reconnaissance was a bit more spirited, and reaching the turnoff to Harvey's Lake, Dave (who was right behind me the whole trip) and I peeled off to await the others, smoke pouring from the rear brakes of the 02. Maybe time to upgrade to discs? After 5 minutes (it seemed) the other guys arrived, and we retired to a fabulous Pizza place overlooking the lake for some fortification and sharing of war stories.
Thus refreshed, we headed for the third leg of our journey. Down past Huntsville Resevoir, and winding our way down a mountain into Wilkes Barre. This entry into town is quite remarkable as you cross the river on a rather impressive architectural statement of a bridge, and see the significant downtown buildings arrayed before you. We skirt down river road for a block or two and turn East onto Northampton St. to cross town. This street climbs up a hill with lots of lights and stops to the interstate, but just past that you reach the staging area of Giant's Despair. This climb looks a lot easier than Weatherly, no jumps or 1st gear corners, but really wasn't suited for the 02. 2nd gear too low, 3rd too tall, it was either bogging or redlining the whole way up, or so it seemed. One pass enough, and then the joy of Laurel Run Road which curves its way back to Route 115 and the turnpike entrance.
Bill split off and ran down the turnpike back home to lick his wounds. The others enjoyed the afterglow of a full day cruising down 115, Dave and I peeling down 903 to 534, 209 to Forest Inn, then down to Palmerton, Slatington, and home. We lost Dick at 534, I'm thinking he went off to his fishing club, and Jeff and Spencer disappeared on their way back to Nazareth- Bath.
Even with Bill's unfortunate incident, a great car day. Hopefully it will work out for the best for the SC. I think it may be time for a refresh there as those cars get more valuable. In any event, whether a moderate tootle or a fair old lick, the roads and the company were sublime. Thanks everyone for coming, and I look forward to the next run!
A history lesson for Pa. sports car fans. A visit and ride on 3 historic tracks run on public roads. 1st stop Weatherly, Pa. for a run up the hill climb.here's a run up the hill:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8GkzzAjNqDk
, and here's a detail at the jump.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BUWRO87tARA Then up to Harvey's Lake to find the Brynfan Tyddyn race course
history here:
http://www.harveyslake.org/text/story_brynfan.htm
Then over to the Giant'sDespair Hillclimb in Laurel Run. This course has a long history with lots of names in the winners list you will recognize. action from last year:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8AlGrhTauVU
