Knox Mountain 2019

[bertvorgon]

Morning World,

As we are but a month away from the Hillclimb, I was wondering if there is any one heading up to watch?

I see Cam T. is going to run the Caterham again and that Bob Boyer has entered a new Datsun 510 for this year, likely V8 powered (I will check on that) I am NOT going to take the 510, just drive up in the G35 for the day. Walk the hill, watch, visit, head back by 4 or 5 in the afternoon. Weather needs to be good!

[bertvorgon]

Bob will be running the same car as last year, more tire ( big flares on) and, FIXED last years issue.

Turns out...and I have harped about this before..bloody PLASTIC oil line to the oil pressure gauge. Line failed and at Turn 5 the motor was done!

Will be interesting to see what his time will be if he can now get it to hook up.

Bob says he dynoed it at just over 300 RW HP.

[slowerthantime]

Hey Keith,
If you and others want to make a weekend of it, there is lots of room to camp at my place in Summerland. There is a nice spot with a plug in for your Boler.
Jeff

[bertvorgon]

Thanks Jeff,

I was wondering if you would have the barbecue on!

Not sure my plan yet, thanks for the invite!! Would just be for a day regardless this time.

[camt]

Good evening all from Lotus land.....Yes, the Thorkelson's will be in the usual camping place at the Knox Hillclimb....used to be called "510 Corner". Always great to see Keith show up, sometimes alone and occasionally with the odd "lost soul". Sure would be great to see more....always a cold drink available for a weary traveler, some are even fed! Even a spot to throw a tent. Let me know your plans and we can make sure there is space aside for you.
I have planned to attend the infamous 510 Day BBQ this year, likely come over early Friday and visit Barbs folks in Pt Coquitlam, then make my way to Byrons for 5:10pm. We can discuss the Hillclimb then.
Looking forward to catching up

Cam PSN NSN

[bertvorgon]

I am going up on the Saturday, weather looks to be typical for the long weekend in Kelowna.

At least it does not appear that it is going to be nuclear for temps. There are only 56 entries as of this morning.

I suspect that Knox Hillclimb will be a hard sell not too far down the road. Cam has said there is no awards banquet and that
the locals, as even I experienced off and on 20 years ago, are really tired of losing their "hill" for walking, jogging, biking, etc..

[zKars]

We are making the usual pilgrimage. Yes given the forecast I am unlikely to bother charging the AC after this years "improvements"...

Would really hate to see this event become the victim of the righteous, but it's likely inevitable. Enjoy it while you can!

[butters68]

Keith what time are you leaving? i wouldn't mind a bit of a drive in the 350z. only be able to stay for couple hours but would be a nice drive.

[bertvorgon]

Morning Mike,

I plan to leave my place at about 4:30 AM, which would put me going past Hope about 5:20'ish. May need a rest stop at the top of the climb, maybe a photo op too. Takes about 4 hours to Kelowna, gates for the Hillclimb open at 9:00. I usually wander the pits, check things out, say hi to a few, then I hike up to the top of the hill, to the start finish line, hang around there for a run group.

I work my way down the hill, stopping for my lunch at about Turn 7. I then go down Past Turn 6 to Turn 5, then go cross country down the mountain back to the pits. Visit with Can for a few depending on where he is on the run groups.

Then, it is time to head back to Vancouver. I usually gas up the car when I first get to Kelowna, less busy at the Chevron.

Hopefully the weather is of course ok, they are now predicting showers for Saturday, could make the drive up and the hillclimb interesting. 2 years ago a guy passed me in his G35 sedan and proceeded to wipe it out as he hydroplaned in the slow lane...one must pay attention to road surface conditions. The slow lane was a river due to the trucks rutting it out, I move to the fast lane.

[butters68]

that works , i'll walk the pit and check out the cars and hang out down at the bottom . the issue with my foot i need to go easy with the walking part.
for me i'll most likely need to head out for home around 11 at the latest.

[bertvorgon]

I will wait/meet you at the Hope Chevron, where we rally up for our drives. I will PM you my cell number...I might hear it....

There is food and coffee at the race, or at least there usually was.

So, 5:20 ish or so

Lets hope this is what we face....

[butters68]

sounds good Keith , see you then.

[bertvorgon]

Two more sleeps till Road Trip time....

Yesterday and the day before I tiddlied up the G35, full wax, buffed out some scuffs, cleaned wheels, detailed engine bay, cleaned and did a bit of detailing of interior, Rain-X'd side and back windows, tunes loaded up on my Shuffle (CD player has died..crap), tire pressure checked, oil topped, ready to roll out Saturday morning. Just have to load my survival pack.

Will be interesting to see what Chevron 94 is in Kelowna.

Matt also stopped by and we put our off road wheels on for some summer adventures up high in the mountains.

Love working at Andy's shop, always cool planes and cars lurking about.

[butters68]

350z is ready to roll, Keith that sure a is a fancy red family car you got there.

[bertvorgon]

Morning!

It goes without saying...but...dress and bring clothes for any weather, plus some food and water for the car. Another horrible crash on the Coquihalla yesterday, blocking BOTH ways for hours, 1 fatality. A Porsche 911 looks to either have collected or been collected by this multi vehicle crash. Insane...how the hell does this happen on such an open highway. 6 plus people to hospital.

I can tell you that SOMEONE was NOT paying attention to the bad weather, hydroplaned...and it is all over but the crying. Two years ago I got passed by a G35 Sedan, 4 up, who went by me with 20 km from what I was doing. The amount of running water in the slow lane due to the truck ruts was just crazy. That driver had no clue, lost it and got all 4 corners of that car.

That one year we all got stuck at the top for 4 hours, glad I had my survival pack with me...fire going in 5 minutes!

I could hardly get traction in my car and moved to the fast lane...and slowed....a bit...watching my mirror the whole time.

At any rate, we will be safe and have a fun day. You will get to see some cool race cars. Hopefully Cam will have coffee for us.