FORMULAVEE.ORG

The Giants Despair Hillclimb in Wilkes-Barre PA started way back in 1906. It is the oldest Hillclimb in the USA. John Pitman was driving his Formula Vee again this year. John is the only driver that raced in the first event in 1906 and still runs today. The top 3 this weekend were:



1st John Pitman, Vector GB-1 with a personal best time of 55.801 and 1st place.

2nd Joe Katarsky, Citation

3rd Keith Bower, Caldwell D-13



Joe and Keith gave the old man a good run.

2012 (this year) minus 1906 (1st year of Giants) equals 106 years .... plus 16 to be old enough to drive (even 'though there were no age-restrictions on driver's licenses in 1906 ... much less driver's licenses at all) equals ... 124 years old????

Thank you for the post, as always, Hughie. Good to show that there's more to FV than circuit racing and that these great old events (hillclimbs) continue to exist even today. There are hillclimbs in the NW of the contiguous 48, as well; wonder if any of our NW Vee men keep up with 'em?

hughie 56 wrote:It is the oldest Hillclimb in the USA

Its the oldest in PA not in the USA

John has had a pretty long career

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hillclimbing_in_the_USA