Dozens of drivers from multiple states will test the limits of their vehicles on Duryea Drive in the 70th annual Pagoda Hillclimb. This year’s event will be held June 25-26, 2022, just above City Park at the bottom of Duryea Drive.
The Hillclimb is part of the Pennsylvania Hillclimb Association Championship Series, sanctioned by the Sports Car Club of America, and hosted by the local chapter, Blue Mountain Region SCCA.
The Pagoda HillClimb is an SCCA Time Trials event with cars competing one at a time with the goal to set the fastest single pass time in their class up the hill. The Start line is just a few feet up from the intersection of Clymer Street and Duryea Drive, and the Finish line about halfway between the intersection of Duryea Drive and Shearer Road on approach to the Pagoda. The length of the course is about 1.35 miles.
For those spectating, the competition is from 9am-4pm both days. Entry is by donation on site. Donations go to Pagoda-Skyline, Inc. which is a non-profit, citizen volunteer organization dedicated to the restoration and preservation of the Pagoda, the Fire Tower and the Skyline Drive area.
Clymer St., between Walnut St. and Hill Rd., will be closed off and this is used for the pit area. In addition, spectators should be aware there is no dedicated parking for the event. Parking can usually be found anywhere in the area of Walnut Street and 13th St./Clymer St. or down in city park to access the lower portion of the course and the pits.
Spectators can access Turns 2, 3, and 4 by walking up Lombard Street and hiking on a short path up the hill. There are Bleachers between turns 2 and 3. Turns 7 and 8 by parking near the intersection of Hill Rd and Hill Rd, and hiking up a short path in the woods. There are also bleachers between turns 7 and 8.
A Shuttle Bus is provided for spectators to reach bleacher areas and Pagoda. Rider-ship is by donation with donations going to the Reading Recreation Center at Third and Spruce. Shuttle picks up from the intersection of Clymer St. and Hill Rd. For more details and weather info visit: bmr-scca.org/spectate
