mmarshall

I don't usually post images or videos of high-performance driving or autocrossing, as that is generally not one of my interests. But this one, to me, was interesting, as it is run up one of the hills/mountains along one of my favorite roads.....the Old National Road across the Appalachians through Western MD into Southwestern Pennsylvania. Originally known as the National Road and built in the early 19th century, it was widened and paved when automobiles came along, then became U.S. Route 40, then Maryland route 144 when a new Interstate by-passed it.

This section of MD 144 climbs to the top of Polish Mountain (elevation 1340'), in western Maryland.....one of five significant parallel ridges in a 38-mile stretch between Hancock and Cumberland. Each year, it is roped off and used for a Hill Climb.

The original road was extremely teacherous, with many very tight-S turns and steep drop-offs. It was rebuilt in the 1930s, with the less-numerous and gentler curves you see here. I've driven it myself a number of times...but not in competition.



This guy tackles the climb up the west side of the mountain in a rotary-eengined Mazda RX-7.


And here's the (apparent) record-setting run in a Corvette:


Here's a view from the top:

https://www.google.com/maps/@39.6939...Cg!2e0!5m1!1e4

Aron9000

^ Your links are broken.

BTW I've driven in that part of the country, right where MD, PA, WV all come together right there is just breathtakingly beautiful.

mmarshall

Check it now......they are posted correctly.

BTW, if you have been to Uniontown, PA, not far from that triple-point on the state lines you mention, on U.S. 40, You will know what a REAL hill is down Mt. Summit.... 3 and a half miles at a 10% grade. There used to also be a Hill Climb up this mountain, but now it is a hiking event instead.