Page: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Mike Kamm
Registered user
Global user
Registered: 07-2004
Location: Averill Park, NY
Posts: 5582
Karma: 18 (+19/-1)
|
|
Reply | Quote
|
|
Ellenville Hill Climb Revisit and Vintage car Tour June 9th, 2007
Wow, what a great event! The Shawangunk Mountain Ridge got quite a workout yesterday.
OK here we go, it all started at 10:00 am at RiK's place where we were greeted with coffee, donuts, and beautiful sunshine. RiK gave us a really interesting tour of his 17th Century farm.
Attendees were Theodore Goneos [Porsche] Larry Feer [Saab 95 wagon], Bruce Turk [Saab Sonnett III] **** Vedder and myself [Datsun B210], RiK Rydant [Mercury Capri II].
RiK also displayed his other historic cars, one of them this beautiful '62 Chevy Impala Super Sport, with it's factory 327 4bbl. engine and four speed transmission.
Theodore Goneos and **** Vedder, next to Theodore's 2007 Tire Rack Cannonball One Lap of America endurance event Porsche 911, which finished third in the Vintage class!
Bruce's stunning Sonnett III. We found out later, that it's fast too!
Larry's wagon developed a fuel system problem just after buying fuel locally, so he elected to jump into Bruce's Sonnett for the journey.
At a regrouping stop in Ellenville.
Now we're at the original hill climb site, at what used to be turn 2, I believe. Acording to Bruce and ****, the original starting line was about a quarter mile before this, but for various reasons the course was later shortened in the late 1960's and started here at the corner of what is now called Mongola Rd. Bruce told some great stories here about his early recollections of the Ellenville Hill Climb events he watched from this location as youngster. I recorded the stories on videotape.
As the only one in our group who actually participated in the actual events years ago, **** Vedder was chosen to be the flag man [in this case a handkerchief] for Theodore's Porsche. This was just a mock start as you will soon see that the course is currently in no shape to race on any more, unless you have a rally prepped car!
There are some washouts and about halfway up the hill, the blacktop is completely gone and it looks more like a rally stage today.
I planned to duplicate the scene above from this action picture taken from an actual event back in the day.
To the left in this picture was the area where the swimming pool is seen in the early picture above. The trees were so thick here now, that I couldn't get a picture of the pool today! I'm talking trees with 6 to 10" trunks on them. Alot has changed here.
We stopped at the gate to where the big hotel used to be at the top of the hill climb site and walked in.
Here's what left of the 1882 Mt. Cathalia Hotel where the after race parties were held as well as where the racers and spectators stayed. From here we toured the last 27 miles or so through to New Paltz for lunch. Bruce took us through some fantastically scenic and twisty roads. It was on this route that we found out how quick Bruce's Sonnett can go and how well he knows these roads. Theodore was behind Bruce and they both took off. **** and I were trying to keep up in the B210. We were hammer down and I was almost laughing at how ridiculous [but fun] it was to be trying to stay with a modified Porsche 911 with a Datsun B210 on 175/70R13 tires. RiK was right behind me with his V6 powered, tubular headered, dual exhaust Capri. I asked **** if I scared him at all. He said not really, and that he trusted me. Thank god for that, as we were traveling pretty quickly, with lots of carburetor noise, tires squealing, cutting corners, the smell of brakes, what a hoot!
Too our surprise, the Gilded Otter was closed for a private party, so we enjoyed a delicious lunch across the street like **** said, at the Mud Puddle Cafe. We followed that up with some ice cream at an ice cream parlor, and before we left, we enjoyed a frozen drink on the outside seating area at the former Wallkill Railroad New Paltz station, which is now a restaurant.
All in all it was a very relaxing, very informative and interesting day. To say a good time was had by all would be an understatement.
|
|
6/10/2007, 10:47 am
|
Send Email to Mike Kamm
Send PM to Mike Kamm
|
Dave 48A
Registered user
Global user
Registered: 07-2004
Posts: 734
Karma: 8 (+8/-0)
|
|
Reply | Quote
|
|
Re: Historical - Ellenville Hill Climb
Great report! Wish I could have been there. Can't wait to see some video at the meeting.
Dave Burnham
|
|
6/10/2007, 4:08 pm
|
Send Email to Dave 48A
Send PM to Dave 48A
|
chutch84
Registered user
Global user
Registered: 07-2004
Location: Sauquoit,New York
Posts: 1100
Karma: 7 (+8/-1)
|
|
Reply | Quote
|
|
Re: Historical - Ellenville Hill Climb
looks like you guys had a great time.
Claude H.
---
Claude Hutchings
|
|
6/10/2007, 4:28 pm
|
Send Email to chutch84
Send PM to chutch84
|
Mike Kamm
Registered user
Global user
Registered: 07-2004
Location: Averill Park, NY
Posts: 5582
Karma: 18 (+19/-1)
|
|
Reply | Quote
|
|
Re: Historical - Ellenville Hill Climb
There's already talk about doing another one in the Fall. June 9th was tough for most people to get out for, especially with only two weeks notice.
Bruce Turk and RiK Rydant deserve all of the credit for this weekend's historic tour. It was great guys!
RiK surprised me once again and put together this collage from yesterday's pictures. Thanks Rik!
We'd sure like to see a Citroen in the mix next time out. 
|
|
6/10/2007, 7:08 pm
|
Send Email to Mike Kamm
Send PM to Mike Kamm
|
Mike Kamm
Registered user
Global user
Registered: 07-2004
Location: Averill Park, NY
Posts: 5582
Karma: 18 (+19/-1)
|
|
Reply | Quote
|
|
Re: Historical - Ellenville Hill Climb
I have been asked to post a few more pics of the actual course. Here are three more.
Right about where Theodore's car is seen here, is where [the now legendary Ray Black] over corrected from oversteer and ran into the trees on the left in his black Corvette. Bruce might still have the chunk of black fiberglass he collected as a souvenier back in '72.
This part of the course actually still looks good today.
I have contacted the people at E.M.R.A. [whose founders used to head the South Shore Sportscar Club] to see if they could afford us some additional details or pictures. I have also contacted the Poughkeepsie Sports Car Club and former A.M.E.C. President of the time, Joe Strykiewicz. Joe said that he has some slides of the events but needed some time to dig them out.
More to come soon we hope!
Last edited by Mike Kamm, 6/18/2007, 7:36 am
|
|
6/10/2007, 8:40 pm
|
Send Email to Mike Kamm
Send PM to Mike Kamm
|
Mike Kamm
Registered user
Global user
Registered: 07-2004
Location: Averill Park, NY
Posts: 5582
Karma: 18 (+19/-1)
|
|
Reply | Quote
|
|
Re: Historical - Ellenville Hill Climb
Here is a reply that I received from Arthur Emerson of the Poughkeepsie Sports Car Club in responce to my request for information their members may have regarding the Ellenville Hill Climb events:
Michael,
Unfortunately, many of our senior members have either left the area or have taken their final checkered flag. Karl Muggenburg (PSCC historian) might know something about it, but I don't really know how far back he goes with the club. Jerry Ford would probably be your best bet for remembering anything about an event west of the Hudson, but he cleaned out everything (probably including the timers used in that event!) two years ago and moved to the west coast. Not a good sign if you're looking for pictures or other tangibles. :-(
In any case, I'm sure that our newsletter editor is reading this, and will include your request for information in next month's issue. [The June issue went out on Friday.] Since PSCC is putting together our 50th anniversary party (and has been meeting on the second Monday of the month since 1957), :-) we've spent the last year digging up "vintage" members for a planned party later in the summer. I'll see if they can
provide any info for you.
-Arthur Emerson
Poughkeepsie Sports Car Club
|
|
6/11/2007, 8:13 am
|
Send Email to Mike Kamm
Send PM to Mike Kamm
|
Mike Kamm
Registered user
Global user
Registered: 07-2004
Location: Averill Park, NY
Posts: 5582
Karma: 18 (+19/-1)
|
|
Reply | Quote
|
|
Re: Historical - Ellenville Hill Climb
**** Vedder brought his 34 year old first place trophy to Monday night's monthly A.M.E.C. meeting. He won it with his 750cc GT powered 2-stroke Saab 96.
Thanks for sharing Richard. 
|
|
6/14/2007, 7:15 am
|
Send Email to Mike Kamm
Send PM to Mike Kamm
|
ZX2 2000
Registered user
Global user
Registered: 07-2004
Posts: 1091
Karma: 5 (+5/-0)
|
|
Reply | Quote
|
|
Re: Historical - Ellenville Hill Climb
Mike, I need to make a small correction.
My Saab was a 1966 850 cc Special Sedan, With Saab spec modifications.
****
---
Dick Vedder
|
|
6/14/2007, 8:17 am
|
Send Email to ZX2 2000
Send PM to ZX2 2000
|
Mike Kamm
Registered user
Global user
Registered: 07-2004
Location: Averill Park, NY
Posts: 5582
Karma: 18 (+19/-1)
|
|
Reply | Quote
|
|
Re: Historical - Ellenville Hill Climb
As I mentioned I have been contacing E.M.R.A. members and officers asking for info regarding the Ellenville Hill Climb events.
Here's what Dave Z. [from the E.M.R.A. board room] remembers from 1971:
Ellenville! tight, steep, narrow and bumpy. Margaret and I lived in Wurtsboro (10 miles to the south) in the early 70's. I worked at the lone independant imported car service shop in the area (back then you really needed a specialty shop to service your European car properly). Our friend Zane Cohen came to visit in '71 with his ex-Roger Penske owned '67 Camaro Z-28. A quick check of the tune-up and he was ready--set FTD. I was inspired and spent the next winter practicing the hill in my '64 MGB but never (shame on me) got it together to actually run the hillclimb and (more shame on me) due to budget concerns, never took any photos--didn't even develop our baby pictures (b&w) till 20 years later and, yes, they came out ok (mostly).
|
|
6/16/2007, 2:34 pm
|
Send Email to Mike Kamm
Send PM to Mike Kamm
|
Mike Kamm
Registered user
Global user
Registered: 07-2004
Location: Averill Park, NY
Posts: 5582
Karma: 18 (+19/-1)
|
|
Reply | Quote
|
|
Re: Historical - Ellenville Hill Climb
The following reply is from Frank Davis, a former member of the South Shore Sports Car Club and Beer Drinking Society
Mike,
I received an e mail from Bob Kress forwarding a request for information about the Ellenville Hill Climb. I was a member of South Shore back in the early 70's and ran the Hillclimb at least one year, possibly two. I ran it both in my Fiat 124 Spider and in another members MG Midget. I took a look at the photos you have on your site and as I recall, the road wasn't much different back then! I recall a really nasty washboard just before the finish timing stand. (Which I believe consisted of a card table) On one run in the MG I was caught out by the washboard and went through the traps completely sideways staring eyeball to eyeball with the person manning the station.
I recall a couple of the people, Bill Weber and Jerry Newman, mentioned but have not had any contact with either of them over the years. I have a Website for the old South Shore people at http://www.fdfoto.com/ssscbds/index.html and have added a link to your Forum page.
Regards,
Frank Davis
PS - One other thing I do recall was that the "Mountain Men" as we called them, members of the Shongum Mountain Motor Club, used to bring a car we called "bedsprings" to race. They were VW powered tubular chassis. I believe they were home-made rather than any kind of a kit such as the Beach Buggy VW kits that were around at the time. Perhaps you can find a picture of one!
Much appreciated Frank! 
|
|
6/18/2007, 7:49 am
|
Send Email to Mike Kamm
Send PM to Mike Kamm
|
Add a reply
Page: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Link to us
- Blogs
- Hall of Honour
- Chat
|
You are not logged in (login)
Board's time is: 11/27/2009, 4:02 am
|
|
|
