Jim Schardt takes his Yenko Stinger Corvair through turn one at Corkscrew Hill Aug. 28, 2021. (Jeff Loewe Photo)
The fifth annual Bellefontaine Hill Climb Revival once again is set to roar up Corkscrew Hill near Zanesfield on Saturday, Aug. 26, re-enacting one of the nation’s historic automotive events.
A dazzling array of vintage and collector cars including MG, Triumph, Alfa Romeo, Porsche, Aston Martin, Austin Healey, Morgan, Ford, Chevrolet, Volvo, Saab, and others are scheduled to participate in this fifth anniversary year, which also marks 70 years since the first Bellefontaine Hill Climb in 1953 on the same stretch of asphalt.
Drivers from Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Kentucky, and Louisiana are entered to celebrate Ohio’s rich sportscar history and the decades of fun on Corkscrew Hill, located along County Road 28.
The original Bellefontaine Hill Climb (1953-1974) was organized by the Sports Car Club of America as part of its National Race Series that crowned National Champion Sports Car Racers; several raced up Corkscrew Hill on their way to those National Championships.
The most recognizable competitor throughout the years is Roger Penske, the owner of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Penske raced a 1957 “Airbox” Corvette on Corkscrew Hill, doing very well on the day, finishing second to another “Airbox” Corvette driven by an officer stationed at Wright Patterson AFB.
Several participants of the original Bellefontaine Hill Climb join the grid each year, including Jim Schardt’s Yenko Stinger Corvair, Dick Weiss’ Porsche 356 Speedster Carrera and Barry Prosser, who replaces his usual Honda 600 Sedan with a Saab 900 this year.
Schardt wowed the crowd in the inaugural Revival event with his beautiful Yenko Stinger.
In 1962, Weiss first visited victory lane at Bellefontaine, 59 years later in 2021, he repeated that feat in the same car, wearing the same driving suit.
Prosser has enhanced the Revival with several cars, taking the honors with his Fiat 850 Spider, approaching the top of the podium with his tiny Honda 600, this year he hopes the Saab will be his ride back to the top of the standings.
The Revival takes the term “family friendly” seriously, with multiple fathers, sons and grandsons entering, along with a few married couples that relive the thrills of a grand time in history.
The family atmosphere also stretches well into the volunteer ranks, with multiple generations staffing the event, as well as driving.
The weekend features two kid-friendly opportunities to see the cars up close and chat with the drivers: Friday afternoon, Aug. 25, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Logan County History Center and Saturday evening at the car show on Columbus Avenue in front of the Holland Theater from 3 to 8 p.m. Adults are welcome, too.
The cars are the stars of the Bellefontaine Hill Climb Revival, with many examples of the cars that filled the grids from the 1950s into the 1970s driving the Hill in celebration of the forerunners. This year many significant automotive anniversaries coincide with the anniversaries of the birth of the Bellefontaine Hill Climb in 1953, 70 years ago and the establishment of the Revival five years ago.
Matching the Hill Climb’s 70 years is Austin Healey along with Corvettes, Aston Martin was established 110 years ago, while Triumph Cars, and MG were first seen 100 years ago, VW came along 85 years ago, Porsche 75 years the same year as the XK Jaguar, all these models participate in the revival.
The field features a variety of vintage Volvos, Saab, Datsuns, Ford, Chevy, BMW, Mercedes, Alfa Romeo, Fiat, Packard, Austin, Morris, Sunbeam, AMC, Jaguar, Pontiac and Willys, along with those celebrating an anniversary.
This monumental celebration of cars, and history will include an all Porsche Concours d’Elegance judged car show on Court Street starting at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 26. The Hill Climb Cars will file into the show as the event winds down at Corkscrew Hill and transitions to downtown Bellefontaine.
The Bellefontaine Hill Climb Revival is heartily supported by the community in Logan County; the residents, the county, city and businesses are essential to its success, organizers noted. Six Hundred Downtown, Vertical Drop at Mad River, The Logan County Chamber of Commerce, Logan County Visitor’s Bureau, Belle Printing, FastTrack Signs, All-Around Awards, Hi-Point Graphics, Bobcat Multi-Works, Wren’s Towing, the Bellefontaine Examiner and the Goshen Friends Church all contribute to making this historic event a possibility.
The Holland Theatre will stream all the action from Corkscrew Hill from 10 a.m. to 4:30 pm, with food and beverages available. A DORA is in effect for the late afternoon car show.
Proceeds from the Hill Climb Revival benefit the Logan County History Center and the Holland Theatre, along with other charities. Find information, entry and ticketing information at www.vintagestreetseries.com.
Dick Weiss flashes across the finish line to take his second victory at Corkscrew Hill Aug. 28, 2021, 59 years after his first victory. (Jeff Loewe Photo)
