Car enthusiasts attend annual Wilbraham Hill Climb
WILBRAHAM, Mass. (WWLP) – Car enthusiasts stopped by Wilbraham on Saturday for the town's annual Hill Climb.
The Wilbraham Hill Climb is over 100 years old. It started as a test bed for many local automotive companies, including Springfield Rolls-Royce, Indian Motorcycles, and Knox Automobiles. Now, it is a competition to be named the 'King of the Mountain.'
Dakin Humane Society hosts annual 'Will Run for Cookies 5k'
'The winning time back in 1908 was like 1:06,' said Jeff DeMarey, Director of the Springfield to Boston Education Foundation. 'And if you can think about it now in 2025, they're accomplishing the task in probably 59 to 60 seconds. So in 100 years plus, they haven't really knocked that much off the time.'
The one-mile-long course gains 700 feet in elevation over two hill climbs. Since 1908, classic cars have been climbing up Monson Road in Wilbraham with a need for speed. 22News got to experience the climb this year, joining Jim, the driver of the 1933 Ford 'Elgin' Roadster.
While the Hill Climb may be in the name, there was also a large car show, bringing together people of all ages.
'I created the Springfield to Boston Foundation to actually do that, and get the kids involved,' DeMarey said. 'And when I mean kids, I mean from Nolan, right up to 30 to 40-year-olds, or veterans, or disabled veterans that wanna get involved.'
Nolan Burke got involved when he mentioned his love of cars to his fifth-grade science teacher, who just happened to be Jeff DeMarey's wife.
'He dragged me over to the Greenwich concourse in Greenwich, Connecticut, where I ended up meeting Wayne Carini for the first time,' Burke said. 'And I got to see a bunch of other amazing cars.'
Despite having his birthday around the corner, Nolan will only be turning 14 years old. But he already has his first car, a 1977 Pontiac Catalina.
'It's a two-door coupe, which isn't very common for the second-generation Catalina,' Burke said. 'That's not really common, most of the Catalinas are four doors.'
The rain held off for much of the day, allowing enthusiasts to enjoy the classic cars, crafts, and food.
WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Car catches fire after crash in South Windsor
SOUTH WINDSOR, Conn. (WTNH) — A two-car crash on Route 5 near Governors Highway caused a car to catch fire Sunday night, fire crews said. Crews from the South Windsor Fire Department were dispatched to the scene at about 9:42 p.m. When they arrived, the driver of the car that caught fire was out of the vehicle. Chief Cooney said a bystander of the crash helped get the driver out of the car. The first vehicle rolled over into the tree line, then caught fire. Crews said the driver sustained non-life-threatening injuries as a result. Fire crews said the flames were stubborn and ultimately used foam to put it out. The second car's driver received minor injuries and DEEP also responded to the scene, according to crews. Officials say Route 5 will remain closed in both directions as the scene remains active. This is an open investigation. Check back later for more details. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Multiple vehicles damaged after fire breaks out at MCO parking garage, officials say
The Brief The fire broke out at the A garage, according to officials. Garage A has remained open since the fire. The fire did not impact airport operations. ORLANDO, Fla. - Officials with the Orlando International Airport responded to a fire that broke out at one of its parking garages early Sunday morning, according to airport officials. The small car fire broke out just before 8 a.m. in the A garage, according to officials. Airport officials said four vehicles were damaged in the fire. The fire did not affect airport operations, according to officials. Garage A has remained open since the fire, officials said.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Vehicle fire breaks out in Daviess County
HENDERSON, Ky. (WEHT) — Crews responded to a vehicle fire on Interstate 165 In Daviess County. Officials with the Daviess County's Fire Department say crews responded to the fire around 7:23 p.m. on Sunday. Upon arrival a passenger car was found to be fully involved. Officials say the fire was quickly put out. No injuries were reported. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
