The current Pennsylvania Hillclimb Association schedule includes both hillclimbs and track events.  All PHA events are sanctioned through the SCCA (Sports Car Club of America), and all drivers require an SCCA membership and appropriate SCCA license or equivalent to compete.

At all of our events, drivers run the course one car at a time.  While multiple cars may be on course at the same time, passing is not allowed.  A driver will be given the opportunity to make an additional run if they catch up to the car in front .  Multiple runs will be offered — as many as time allows — over the course of the event.  In the true spirit of racing, a driver’s fastest time for the event is used to determine the class winners.

As far as classing goes, cars are divided into classes based on performance potential and preparation level.  The classes allowed at each event depend on the type of event  – Hillclimb or Track Sprint/Time Attack.

Hillclimbs take place on paved public mountain roads that are closed for the duration of the event.  Courses are typically 1-2 miles in length. 

At Hillclimbs, only PHA classed cars are allowed to compete, and full safety gear is required for all cars and drivers.  The level of gear required depends on car class, but a roll bar or roll cage is required for all cars, in addition to other safety equipment such as 5 or 6 point seat belts, etc.

Drivers will need a Fire Suit, Head/Neck Restraint, an SA Rated Helmet, Balaclava, Leather (or fireproof shoes), Nomex Socks and Gloves.

Track Sprints and Time Attacks are both run on a closed track.  The difference is that for a Track Sprint, there is a start and finish line, and each driver gets one timed run per session.  For a Time Attack, cars are sent out in small groups and make several timed laps per session.

At these track events, cars running in the National SCCA Time Trial classes are allowed to participate in these events (in addition to the PHA classes).  For TT classed cars, safety requirements for car and driver are as per the SCCA National TT rules.  This means that there is a good chance that your regular car would be able to compete in one of these events.  Refer to the Time Trial rules on the SCCA website for details (scca.com).

For PHA classed cars, safety requirements at these events are as per the PHA rules, just as they are at a hillclimb.