31 replies to this topic

[GenJackRipper]

It recently dawned on me that a road in my local ski resort of Åre, in Sweden has a road going up part of the mountain which could perhaps be used as a hillclimb venue.
Its called Ullådalsvägen and it starts by Lake Åresjön at 370 meters above sea level and ends up at around 730 meters above sea level and its a little over 5 kilometers long.

Now, I wonder if there is any sort of requirerments from FIA on hillclimb circuits. The length I get, but how about elevation, the amount of turns and such?
Below is a picture from Google Maps of the road. The red dots are the beginning and the end of the road. I suppose one could add some extra turns by the first ski lift and the parking space half way up.

[AlexPrime]

I don't know the requirements, but I love hillclimb. Very interesting sport and the drivers look to be daredevils. Lionel Regal, may he rest in peace, was spectacular to watch. Sadly, FIA Hillclimb does not seem to have TV coverage.

[BRG]

From the FIA regulations :- 

 

The course must comply with the following prescriptions:

- total length: min. 2.5km - max. 18km;

- total average gradient (ratio between the difference in altitude and the total length): > 3%;

- partial average gradient (ratio between the sum of the lengths of those sections with an upward slope of less than 2.5% and the total length of the course): free;

- width: min. 5m; narrowing down to 4m is permitted for sections of limited length, on condition that the visibility of each section corresponds to the braking distance and that the sum of their lengths does not exceed 10% of the total length of the course

[milestone 11]

Bouley Bay, Valle des Terres, Gurston Down, Prescott, Shelsey Walsh, Doune, are all appreciably less than 2k's. Obviously the British Hillclimb Championship, one of the finest hillclimbing championships, isn't run to FIA standards then.

[BRG]

Those are the rules for the FIA European Hillclimb Championship.  The FIA would not set rules for all hill-climbs, that is for national MSAs, but to be eligible for a FIA championship, they need to comply.

[AlexPrime]

Bouley Bay, Valle des Terres, Gurston Down, Prescott, Shelsey Walsh, Doune, are all appreciably less than 2k's. Obviously the British Hillclimb Championship, one of the finest hillclimbing championships, isn't run to FIA standards then.

They are different beasts IMO. British Hillclimb is stunning, but uses very narrow short roads. European Hillclimb uses wider roads, slightly longer and I think faster. Both are brilliant to watch, but not the same. Can't say which is better

Edited by AlexPrime, 13 January 2022 - 16:13.

[PayasYouRace]

Seems the other extreme is US hill climb. Pikes Peak is 20 km, so too big for FIA.

[milestone 11]

That's the point I'm making. Who needs them to be FIA ratified.

[AlexPrime]

I think that we need a hillclimb thread. This is a really cool form of motorsports and I think very respected. FIA European Hillclimb is also one of the oldest championships, I think.

[Burtros]

I’ve had goes up Prescott Hill, Gurston Down and Shelsley Walsh over the years. I really enjoyed having a go and the competitive days were great as a spectator.

Wiscombe Park though in particular is a lovely venue, it feels very British when you are helping get a Triumph TR7 out of a Rhododendron bush in the rain on the side of a steep hill.

In terms of roads, locally we have Cheddar Gorge which I always thought would make a fast climb as it’s wide, and I’d love to see Porlock Hill make a comeback.

Great form of Motorsport that doesn’t get the appreciation it deserves.

[AlexPrime]

But on YT and FB people are thrilled. It's not enough, but once you see lions racing with prototypes and open wheelers in a forest, nothing seems that good. A bit like in TT and bike racing.

[PayasYouRace]

Cheddar Gorge would make an awesome hill climb.

[milestone 11]

I think that we need a hillclimb thread. This is a really cool form of motorsports and I think very respected. FIA European Hillclimb is also one of the oldest championships, I think.

There have been many. For some reason they're always in the Nostalgia Forum.

[Scotracer]

First off, not a "circuit" ;)

[maximilian]

I am always enamored with the really cool-looking cars, especially the modified open-wheelers with those extra wide wings 

[BRG]

Seems the other extreme is US hill climb. Pikes Peak is 20 km, so too big for FIA.

So not eligible for the FIA European Hillclimb Championship because it is too long? 

[PlatenGlass]

Cheddar Gorge would make an awesome hill climb.

As long as they don't mandate cheese tyres.

[PayasYouRace]

So not eligible for the FIA European Hillclimb Championship because it is too long? 

 

Well aside from the fact that FIA championships have often played fast and loose with location names, not really the point I was making.

 

But I guess there's a valid question in here. Has there ever been a world championship for hill climbing?

[milestone 11]

First off, not a "circuit" ;)

Well radio to radio at Bouley is a circuit, you only pass the powder magazine once.

[GlenWatkins]

I love hill climbs...and be all for a hiil climb thread!

 

Pastrana gets above treeline around 3minutes in for those who don't wish to watch the whole thing.

Edited by GlenWatkins, 13 January 2022 - 23:02.

[BRG]

But I guess there's a valid question in here. Has there ever been a world championship for hill climbing?

There is a FIA International Hill Climb Cup, formed by a merger of the European Hill Climb Cup and the International Hill Climb Challenge as well as a Hill Climb Masters event (for the winners of national championships) but are all resolutely European based.

 

I imagine hat there just isn't the budget for competitors to go schlepping around the world.

[IrvTheSwerve]

I know that this is an absolute pipedream, but how awesome would it be if there were some kind of Grade A licenced, F1 spec hill climbs where F1 cars could safely compete on? It would be pretty cool to see all 20 current F1 cars do a time trial once at a time up a hill/mountain, maybe including it in the championship.

 

I know it would never happen but I think it would be pretty cool to see.

[BRG]

Hmm, no DRS, no chances to push others off the track, no opportunities for track limits abuse, no under or overcut opportunities....no, it will never work.

[JRodrigues]

 

261 km/h  these guys are complete nuts

[LucaP]

I know that this is an absolute pipedream, but how awesome would it be if there were some kind of Grade A licenced, F1 spec hill climbs where F1 cars could safely compete on? It would be pretty cool to see all 20 current F1 cars do a time trial once at a time up a hill/mountain, maybe including it in the championship.

I know it would never happen but I think it would be pretty cool to see.

Isolating the uphill section of some longer closed circuits could probably be the closest thing feasible?
For instance, the first half of Bathurst?

Edited by LucaP, 14 January 2022 - 12:32.

[krapmeister]

Isolating the uphill section of some longer closed circuits could probably be the closest thing feasible?
For instance, the first half of Bathurst?

FWIW they already do hold hillclimb events at the Bathurst circuit. They run up the mountain in the regular direction starting on Mountain Straight to the top, and then also in the reverse direction starting on Conrod Straight to the top. Sometimes over the course of one weekend (one direction each day)

If you are quick there's one on the 6th Feb

Edited by krapmeister, 14 January 2022 - 12:57.

[azza200]

[GenJackRipper]

So the requirements seem to be quite small then?
I'd want it FIA certified to be able to have it be part of the FIA Hillclimb European Championship.

Hmm, not a circuit, track then? Venue

Anyway, it would be cool having a race there.

[BRG]

If the road is the required width, it could qualify as a potential FIA round.  But initially it would need to meet the Swedish MSA's requirement for hill-climb courses (if they have any?) before an event could be held.  

 

The FIA only certify venues for international competition.  For F!, you need a Grade 1 track licence, for 'lesser' series, Grade 2 and so on.  For local club events, you just need your local MSA's approval.  

[Peat]

Re "Circuit" - Prescott has a paddock return road so technically I guess you could 'lap' it to infinity?

[GenJackRipper]

If the road is the required width, it could qualify as a potential FIA round.  But initially it would need to meet the Swedish MSA's requirement for hill-climb courses (if they have any?) before an event could be held.  

 

The FIA only certify venues for international competition.  For F!, you need a Grade 1 track licence, for 'lesser' series, Grade 2 and so on.  For local club events, you just need your local MSA's approval.  

Great, a fast google search indicates there are a few hillclimbs, but nothing that seems particuallry organized. I'll look into it.

[MarshalMike]

 

261 km/h  these guys are complete nuts

 

Wallace Menzies did 249Kmh over the finish line at Gurston Down, and that's basically a farm track....*that's* nuts.