Hill climbing is one of the most popular forms of auto racing in Europe, and it is almost unknown here in North America despite the fact that nine-time World Rally Champion, Sebastien Loeb, shattered the record of the “Race to the Clouds” held at Pikes’ Peak this year.
It is a form of motorsport in which drivers compete against the clock to complete an uphill course.
Hill climbing is open to all kinds of race machines that range from showroom, stock street cars to souped-up Group N hand grenades.
The most stunning vehicles are undoubtedly the single-seaters, the formula cars, such as the Formula 3000s powered by normally aspirated V8s that produce more than 450 bhp!
Now imagine taking these cars on a small ordinary road that winds up a mountain and driving them flat out! Some courses even go through small villages and serpentine on narrow country roads that offer very little or no protection!
The fastest cars reach speeds of up to 240 km/h on these roads where the speed is normally limited to 70 or 80 km/h!
This first video was filmed at the 2012 St. Ursanne - Les Rangiers event and shows a Martini MK69 powered by a BMW engine. At 01:27, there is some frightening onboard footage.
This second video was shot during the same event in Switzerland and is a compilation of the best moments, showing a vast variety of race cars, all being driven outside their normal limits.
It is a form of motorsport in which drivers compete against the clock to complete an uphill course.
Hill climbing is open to all kinds of race machines that range from showroom, stock street cars to souped-up Group N hand grenades.
The most stunning vehicles are undoubtedly the single-seaters, the formula cars, such as the Formula 3000s powered by normally aspirated V8s that produce more than 450 bhp!
Now imagine taking these cars on a small ordinary road that winds up a mountain and driving them flat out! Some courses even go through small villages and serpentine on narrow country roads that offer very little or no protection!
The fastest cars reach speeds of up to 240 km/h on these roads where the speed is normally limited to 70 or 80 km/h!
This first video was filmed at the 2012 St. Ursanne - Les Rangiers event and shows a Martini MK69 powered by a BMW engine. At 01:27, there is some frightening onboard footage.
This second video was shot during the same event in Switzerland and is a compilation of the best moments, showing a vast variety of race cars, all being driven outside their normal limits.