EMPIRE — Grassroots. Challenging. “Empire-esque.”
The Empire Hill Climb is described in loving terms by those who are revved up about this Saturday’s race along the forested Wilco Road where racers will take eight turns along a 3/4 mile track as fast as they can.
The words “unique” and “community” also come up a lot.
“The course itself is very unique — it’s rough pavement that really changes throughout the day, with temperature, broken pavement, potholes — and there’s not much runoff area in the ravine, with shadow and bright light changing constantly.”
And the vibe?
“It’s a really fun race because it’s really community driven, the pit is the main street in town where you’re close to the course and you can hear everybody cheering … ‘community’ is the only way to describe it. Everyone is involved and everyone’s cheering for everybody.”
Scott Drabik, a 47-year-old Traverse City resident, has raced the climb six or seven times. The 1937 Chevrolet legends coupe racing Saturday is his second “hill car,” and now he’s on the organization’s board.
The event, which starts at 10 a.m. tomorrow on Wilco Road, is a time trial format, sanctioned by the Sports Car Club of America. A Parc Expose will be in downtown Empire letting spectators check out the competitors, and the viewing itself is close to the action on the hillside.
Since cars race one at a time, it changes the way people interact, Drabik said, as they tend to be more supportive and low-key than when drivers muscling along the same track. This doesn’t tamp down competitors’ drive or the need for speed, however.
“Top speeds across the finish line have been in the 90 mph range” Drabik said. “That’s pretty impressive given the length of the course.”
Five competition classes include Class 1 ( NA 2.0 litre and less, FI up to 1.0 litre) Class 2 (NA 2.1 — 3.9 litre, FI 1.1 — 1.9 litre) and Class 3 (NA 4.0 litre and up, FI 2.0 and up) Vintage (older than 30 years); and Drift.
The advance lineup of 50 drivers features plenty of hometown talent including Traverse City competitors Evren Ward (2001 Ford Focus); Scott Drabik (1937 Chevrolet legends coupe); Michael White (1976 Volkswagen Scirocco); Aethen Langdon (2015 Volkswagen Golf Launch Edition); Evan Weider (1995 Honda Civic); Austin Skibowski (2012 Volkswagen Golf R); Cody Hall (1993 Honda Accord); A. J. Otto (1986 Pontiac Firebird); and Adam Buchanan (2003 Nissan 350z).
Also racing are Leland’s Kathryn Dawkins (2003 VW Golf); Lake Leelanau’s Griffon Maleski (1995 Ford Mustang GT); Interlochen’s Adam Finkbeiner (2013 Scion Frs); Cedar’s Scott Lankton (1963 Morgan); East Jordan’s Devon Tyler (2010 BMW 135i); Northport’s John Kalchik (2011 Volvo C30) and Empire’s Craig Olvey (2005 Acura RSX Type S) — representing Dave’s Garage in Empire, home of the Hill Climb’s first days in 1964.
Dave’s was formerly known as Taghon’s Garage, and the Taghons put the race in gear in the ‘60s all the way through 1980, according to Autoweek, which sponsored and highlighted the 2018 race.
The race braked through several decades but came roaring back in 2014 when a community board convened and decided to bring it back.
While times have changed since the ‘60’s, the draw of the Empire Hill Climb stays the same — to see how fast you can go, to test the agility of driver and machine and … fun.
“It’s a fun, twisty road in the middle of nowhere,” Drabik said. “ … you can’t see the curve ahead at all because of the hills, so it’s just one curve, then the next.”