My run at Mt. Washington Hillclimb in 2014 - Westfield Megabusa

[Ted E. BAyer]

My first time there and woefully over sprung... backend was bouncing around like a rabbit. 

I had no idea what to expect from surface and ran 200 pounds on each corner. The faster cars were running 50 pound spring rates.

A helicopter was following me up on the dirt section of the road. That was quite a thrill until I realized he was following me because he was pretty sure I was going to go off.

It was fun but I brought a knife to a gunfight.  I met Travis Pastrana at top of the hill and was talking with my wife on cell. She asked me what I thought after my first run. I told her I thought if I had a lump of coal between my butt cheeks at the start line, she'd have a nice diamond right now. Travis fell off a log he was seated on laughing at me. 

Enjoy

https://www.facebook.com/ted.theodore.3/videos/791713364206724

Edited October 28, 2021 by Ted E. BAyer
spelling error

[Croc]

Great story @Ted E. BAyer.  I did it in 1997 in a production Subaru Outback (cue the Paul Hogan jokes now...).  That road was awful.  Heavily crowned.  Frost heaves.  Surprise dips.  Lots of rocks on the uphill side that had fallen on the road.  And then there was the breathtaking view at which point you realize that if you went off you would land in Canada, pre-packaged in a metal coffin.  Your video shows the only way for amateurs to drive the course - by sight and conservatively - none of this on the limit apexing and tracking out.  Interestingly the video made it look flatter, not as steep as I know it to be.  It also flattened out the road crown and steep camber on corners.   

 

A tremendous achievement.  Huge respect.  Thank you for sharing.  

[Ted E. BAyer]

Too kind. I studied a lot of video, maps and even Rally course notes. When you get on the road as a first timer, you are totally reacting to what you see. The elevation is far steeper and the drop offs are far greater. I hit over a hundred three times but it sure looks slow. About 3/4s of the way up the terrain turns alien... no trees and rocks with green moss. At that point, the road to the right drops off... it may be 1 foot out foot 1 foot down grade.. or it may be a sheer drop off. So you avoid the 1 foot tall jagged rocks planted on the edge and stay to the left of the road conservatively. There you find a deep gully from rain water eroding away the asphalt. In one spot I drove over a 2 foot sink hole where asphalt gave way and I hit the other side so hard, I had to see a dentist when I got home. It was a wonderful memory but half way I made a deal with the Lord. Get me off this mountain in one piece and will skip my plans for Pike's Peak next year. I kept my bargain. I will say if you run Mt. Washington, you will find it has more turns per mile and more elevation per mile than Pike's Peak. Comparing the two hillclimbs, Mt. Washington has rough abrasive surface and a mile of dirt while Pikes Peak is now a days a cherry smooth asphalt race track with zero runoff room. Elliot Forbes Robinson told me at a dinner I attended that "if you go off at Pikes Peak you don't have to worry about keeping your car updated with new technology .. by the time it hits ground, it will be old technology." LOL I greatly enjoy hillclimbing.... grew up going to Chimney Rock and ran Southeastern Hillclimbs, Founded the Chasing the Dragon Hillclimb and ran all the PHA hillclimbs with 4 class records and 2 Class Championships in the Westfield. Once sorted, the Megabusa is wicked fast and a load of fun ... as long as you work up to your fastest times.  If you are interested in Hillclimbing, you might enjoy my website of memories of the old Chimney Rock Hillclimb here : http://thesoutherndriver.com/the-chimney-rock-hillclimb-archives/

Edited October 28, 2021 by Ted E. BAyer

[Edger]

Fantastic run, and that sure was a thrilling experience!