Robbinsville, NC – Have you ever wanted to go blasting up that back country, winding mountain road at full speed, crossing the double yellow line, with no fear of oncoming traffic or police? Do you get a thrill out of pushing your car –and yourself – to the limit and wish you could do it on a public road safely and legally? If so, Hillclimbs just may be for you! For the 12th time since its inception in 2011, theCentral Carolinas Region of the Sports Car Club of America (CCR-SCCA) will be hosting the Chasing The Dragon Hillclimb on Santeetlah Rd in Joyce Kilmer Memorial Park, just outside Robbinsville, NC on August 10-11, 2019. This annual event (held twice each year from 2012 to 2015) draws competitors and spectators from across the country, testing their driving skills and trying to “Tame the Dragon”.

Hillclimbs are a unique form of racing in motorsports: similar to an autocross or time trial, the competitor is racing for a time and is “alone” on the course – not like in wheel to wheel racing where there are multiple cars on course competing against each other to finish first. However, unlike autocrosses that are held in a parking lot, or time trials held on a race course, a Hillclimb is contested on closed public or private roads. Cars must meet a set of safety requirements and drivers must have full safety gear, but other than that, it’s the driver against the hill. And whoever does the run in the shortest amount of time wins.

If driving is not for you or you’re “not quite there yet”, spectating at a Hillclimb is a unique and entertaining experience itself. Drivers and teams are very accessible and always willing to talk about their cars and their runs, with open paddock areas along the sides of the road before the start line. There are all kinds of machinery that will show up for a Hillclimb to enjoy, from exotic vintage cars to formula style open wheelers, to “daily driver” looking cars…and everything in between. Not to mention the great viewing areas right on course! And Hilllclimbs are always kid friendly.

But if you really want to get up close and personal and have the best seat in the house, how about signing up to be part of the action as a member of the Volunteer Staff? Volunteers get free lodging, lunch each day and Saturday dinner. But the real reward is actually being a part of the action and the appreciation you get from all the drivers. Our volunteer crew comes back year after year, and many have started competing. It’s a great way to learn the ropes and understand what this Hillclimb thing is all about!


For more information, including registration, sponsorship opportunities, volunteering and spectator info, please check out the CCR-SCCA website at www.ccrscca.com under Road Racing>Hillclimb. We hope to see you “on the hill” in May!

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