Pagoda Hillclimb 2025 was held June 7-8, 2025 in Reading PA.  This SCCA Sanctioned event was hosted by Blue Mountain Region SCCA and was the third event in the eight event 2025 PHA Championship Series.

The forecast for Pagoda weekend seemed perfect except for  temperatures in upper 90’s, but there was no chance of rain mentioned, so this is as good as it gets around this time in the summer.   

Saturday’s weather was exactly as expected.  It was hot and humid, but the course was dry and we got 4 runs. 

By the end of the day Saturday, Ron Moreck was in first with a 75.708 that he set on his second run.  Mike Robinson was in second with a 78.108, and Edward Smith in third with a 78.287.

I talked to Mike Saturday night, and he was really happy with his times as he ran a personal best on the first run of the day, and was still holding down second overall.   

We also talked about Leon Jordon, who was fourth overall — his second through fourth runs were all a 78.7 something — and agreed he was someone to keep an eye on.

Also, here’s something I’ve never experienced — my time was nothing to shout about, but it was exactly tied with Todd Burkey at 112.658.   Actually, the time was something to shout about, as my first run of the day was better than my best from last year, but I’ll get to that later.  But my point is that being tied with someone exactly to the 1000th of a second doesn’t happen very often, so that was really different!

Todd Burkey went on to beat me on Sunday with a 107.789, vs my somewhat faster 111.233.  Todd races a 1934 Ford Sedan INEX Legend in INEX Spec, and I’m pretty sure this was his first PHA event.  

So back onto the fast guys, Ron Moreck went home Saturday, and we were joking Saturday night that he must have seen a forecast of rain somewhere in the country, giving us a guarantee of rain free remainder of the weekend. 

All I can say is that Ron had the last laugh 🙂 …

Sunday morning was dry, but the rain started around lunch time, turning into torrential downpours at one point.  After three wet runs with fewer and fewer drivers participating, and the radar showing more rain on the way, the event was called around 2 PM.

Ron Moreck held his time for FTD from Saturday, running a 75.708 in his 2002 Norma M20.  All jokes aside, it is good to see Ron back with a running car that runs as it should!

Second overall was Leon Jordon, who busted out of his 78.7 doldrums from Saturday to run a 77.450, pushing Mike and Edward down a place overall.  Leon drives a 2025 Speedcar Wonder CrossKart in Special 1 (S1).

Third overall was Michael Robinson, sitting on his Saturday time of 78.108.  Mike drives a 1999 Chevrolet Camaro in Outlaw (0).  He was the fasted “door slammer” of the weekend.

Forth overall was Edward Smith, also sitting on his Saturday time of 78.287.   Edward drives a 2014 Suzuki Cross Kart in Special 1 (S1).  I have been chasing a photo of his car for a few events now, and Eric Santiago produced this one of Edward on his way back down the hill.

Rounding out the top five was Jon Post, who ran a 78.760 in his 2022 Speedcar Wonder Cross Kart that he runs in Special 1 (S1).

Mike was the fastest “door slammer”, and Justin Peachey was the second fastest with a 79.818, placing 6th overall in his 2007 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 that he runs in Outlaw (0).  This event was Justin’s first at Pagoda Hillclimb.  Hope to see him come to our other events!

Dan Dobalo was the 3rd fastest “door slammer”, coming in 7th overall with a 81.471 in his 2009 Chevrolet C8 Z06.

12 class records were set, and 10 were for new classes.  Looking at the original classes…

Michael Hunter set a record in INEX SPEC (IS) in his 2002 Inex Legend with a 93.009.  He beat his previous record from 2024 by 3.339 seconds.  Well done Michael!

Bill Norton also beat his record from 2024 by 1.899 seconds, running a 106.998 in a 1958 Berkley Renault.

There are so many drivers who deserve a mention, but my space here is limited.  So I am going to switch from the top drivers…

First of all, let’s talk about Emily Oswald.  She ran two cars at this event — a 1970 VW Beetle in honor of Bob Oswald Sr (her grandfather) that runs in Super Production Under (SPU).  In addition, this is the first time she is running her new car, a 2002 Howe in Super Production Over (SPO). 

I can’t even imagine switching back and forth between these 2 cars at the same event, as they are quite different.  Her times were quite respectable with both cars, and I cannot wait to see what Emily does once she is used to the Howe.

In other class news, there was quite a battle for American Sedan (AS) between between Geoff Craig and Brian Halecki — Brian lost by .244 seconds.

In Historic 4 (H4), Bryner Raudibaugh, in a 1970 Fiat 850 Spyder, battled Michael White, who was driving a 1959 Austin Healey Bugeye Sprite.  Bryner ended up in first with a 102.553, and Michael was only .327 seconds behind with a 102.880.  

Jim Swift deserves special mention.  His car broke on Saturday, resulting in a disappointing showing for his car.  He stayed Sunday anyway and worked the course.  Next time Jim!

So, as far as how I did, I beat my best time from last year on the first run on Saturday, and continued to improve.  My times still are off compared to my average time at this event, but I was faster than last year so  I was quite happy, and I really had fun flinging the car around turns…

I even have a small excuse for my times this year.   The fuel pressure regulator was bad, spewing fuel out the vacuum port.   Remember when I ran out of fuel at Spring Weatherly?!  Apparently my fuel pressure regulator is why.   We jury-rigged it so that I could continue to run (and stop spewing fuel), and I’ll have it fixed by Giants. 

The car wasn’t 100%, but it was running pretty strong, and the driver is still the problem, which is something I can work on!  

The rain runs were interesting.  My car runs in group 2, and I’m not sure who else ran in the rain, but I was gunning for Don McLaughlin.  Don also runs in Group 2 and took the last 3 rainy runs with me.

I was 6 seconds behind Don on the first of the rain runs.  When I saw the results, I thought to myself:  “this is unacceptable” :-).   On the second rain run, we faced torrential downpours and a river running down the road, but I still managed to narrow Don’s rain run lead to 3 seconds.   I tried my best to catch him on the last wet run of the day, but missed it by .012 seconds  — Don ran a 130.261 vs my 130.273.   

And while no one, including me, wants it to rain, those last three runs were really fun.   Also, it turns out that Don is nuts 🙂

If you don’t know Don McLaughlin, he’s been hillclimbing with the PHA for a long time, and as of 2019, when Nelson last updated the event statistics, he has run the most events since we have been keeping records (from the 1960’s).   In 2019, Don had 257 entries, 18 records, 117 class wins, and ran over 32 hills.  The next was Bob Oswald Sr with 198 entries, 29 records, 111 class wins and 27 hills.  

We will eventually get the stats up-to-date, but I’m sure Don is still first.

Anyway, Pagoda hillclimb is in the books. 

And the post would not be complete without a campfire picture, or two…

Also, the fire tower in the back ground is really interesting, and can be climbed for some great views of the surrounding area.  On a really clear night, you can see downtown Philadelphia.  

Thank you to everyone who gave me permission to use their photos.  For more pictures of the event, check out the PHA Facebook Group, or visit the following websites:

Don McLaughlin:  https://www.flickr.com/photos/mcdallion/albums/72177720327091932/