For the second year now, Nick’s Garage will be hosting the Hot Rod Hill Climb in Georgetown, Colorado. Spawned from the vintage hill climbs of 1953 and 1954 held in that very town, this is sure to be a traditional hot rod event not to be missed. So pack up the kids and head to Georgetown this weekend as the festivities kick off tomorrow afternoon!

The Hot Rod Hill Climb was originally coordinated in the early 50s by area timing associations in response to a sports car hill climb that ran in 1952. Wanting to prove that they too could navigate the steep terrain of the dirt road now known as Guanella Pass in their souped-up cars, the hot rod timing associations set up their own hill climb event in 1953, shattering the climb times of their sports car rivals.

In 1954, the event was run again, this time attracting the attention of far more individuals and making a name for area racers. Unfortunately, the hill climb only lasted those two years.

Having been a long-time hot rod guy and an area craftsman for many years, Mike Nicholas of Nick’s Garage found out about the event years later and decided to bring the race back to the quaint mountain town. With lots of planning and situating, Nicholas was able to reintroduce the Hot Rod Hill Climb last year for the event’s 60^th anniversary mark.

With such a great turnout, the hill climb was extended to an annual event, this year supplying 80 vintage car (early 1950s cars and older) owners with the honor of climbing the hill like so many did 60 years ago.

Going into its second year, the Georgetown Hot Rod Hill Climb is celebrating yet another anniversary this year: the 60^th anniversary of the 1954 race, which ended the hill climb’s brief existence back in the day. For the special event, many of the legends that raced in the 1953 and 1954 races will be on hand telling stories from their classic racing days. Some will even take to the hill for another race round, including hill climb veteran Cal Kennedy, who is said to hit the hill in a recreation of his original race vehicle built by Nicholas and many other friends.

The main event takes place Saturday, September 13^th with the first racer leaving the starting line just after 10:00 a.m. In addition to the tribute race, there will be a free pancake breakfast from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., live music, valve cover races presented by the Colorado Springs Rod and Custom Car Club, classic car parking accommodations, a family friendly pinup/rockabilly contest, and more.

Race registration is closed, but everyone is welcome to come watch the race and participate in the rest of the event for a $10.00 admission.

New this year, the Hot Rod Hill Climb event will also feature the Reliability Run, which is a rod run/cruise from the Denver metro area 65 miles up to Georgetown for racers and event participants that own 1964 model-year vehicles or older. The Reliability Run kicks off with registration at 8:00 a.m. at the Wooly Mammoth Parking Lot at I-70 exit 259. There will also be a Hill Climb Kickoff Party in Downtown Georgetown from 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Friday evening!

Of course, we’ll be there for all the fun this weekend, just like we were last year, but if you’re in the area and would like to check out what’s happening, we highly encourage you to come participate in this unique hot rod event!