The third annual Corkscrew Hillclimb was held throughout final weekend’s Monterey Pre-Reunion at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, setting new data and drawing important consideration from legendary drivers desperate to show their mettle on the long-lasting flip. This yr’s occasion marked the North American dynamic debut of the 2022 McMurtry Spéirling and the return of the 2024 Drako GTE with skilled racer Andy Pilgrim behind the wheel, additional solidifying the spectacular efficiency of electrical automobiles. Followers have been additionally thrilled by the looks of a brand new crowd favourite, the brand-new Case IH Steiger 620 Quadtrac tractor, which introduced a novel and entertaining twist to the competitors.
A brand new Corkscrew Hillclimb file was clearly inevitable after the McMurtry’s first observe run with Formulation 1 and IndyCar driver Max Chilton on the helm. The middle-cockpit Spéirling launched towards flip 11 for the laborious right-hander with such quickness that spectators stood practically speechless. Whereas the McMurtry was the clear chief of the group, second and the third was tightly contested.
The highest three within the shootout have been:
1st 2022 McMurtry Spéirling Max Chilton 21.958
2nd 1967 Ford Falcon Martin Lauber 29.004
third 2022 Ferrari SF90 Christine Sloss 29.822
The earlier file was held by Chris Locke in his 1976 Lotus Kind 77 Formulation One automobile that set the quickest time in 2023 with a 34.69 time. Whereas the McMurtry shattered the file, the beginning line was barely farther again in 2023 making an similar comparability tough.
Since its inception in 2022, the Hillclimb has attracted a mixture of critical opponents and automobiles entered purely for exhibition and leisure. The inaugural occasion noticed Pixar’s loveable character Doc Hudson tackle the problem, together with skilled drifting driver Matt Discipline, who wowed spectators with clouds of tire smoke. The 2023 version featured an off-road dune buggy from monitor agriculture sponsor Tanimura & Antle, which barely saved greater than two wheels on the bottom at any level. This yr it was the most important and most superior tractor used at Merrill Farms that was capable of actually seize the keenness and delight of the followers.
The Corkscrew Hillclimb at all times brings out the aggressive spirit in drivers. Although the Case tractor was cruising at a prime pace that didn’t even make the timing sheet, driver Jonathan Merrill quipped ,“It was a blast to deliver the tractor out for its Laguna Seca debut and to see the fan reactions was value your complete expertise. We will likely be again subsequent yr larger and higher and able to bury the McMurtry.” He added, “Thanks Sonsray Equipment for offering the tractor and transportation for this occasion. We couldn’t have executed it with out them.”
Total, it was a really profitable weekend that serves because the official opening of Monterey Automobile Week. The Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion is now up with greater than 400 genuine historic race vehicles invited to compete August 14-17.
