I’m not really the biggest follower of motorsports, at least not in its more, um, professional contexts. I respect all that goes into NASCAR racing and F1 racing and I sort of envy my friends that get such satisfaction from following those series, but I’ve never been about that, for whatever reason. What I do love, motorsports-wise, are the ragged, unhinged edges of motorsport, where people do poorly-advised things in extremely questionable cars. And I’ve just found out about a whole new category of this sort of thing and holy crap, is it good.
It’s called King of the Hill racing, and from what I’ve been able to find out, this seems to be something new on the bonkers racing front, a rich and imaginative field that has given the world trailer races, figure-8 school bus races, and, of course, skid plate racing, which I once got to try out. This overall category of racing is easily one of the most daring and imaginative in existence, but so far I haven’t found anything definitive to suggest that this particular variant – where cars attempt to drive onto a moving car trailer being pulled by a truck that is actively trying to shake the cars off – has been formally attempted before.
This milestone of bonkers racing was given unto humanity by what I can only assume are a pack of genetically-enhanced race planning geniuses at Hudson Speedway, in Hudson, New Hampshire. The first King of the Hill race happened this past Labor Day, and I think it looks like it was an absolute triumph:
Here’s how Hudson Speedway’s own site described it:
“One of the most anticipated additions to this year’s Labor Day program was the King of the Hill Trailer Race, and it didn’t disappoint.
With competitors battling while trying to negotiate the moving trailer, the unique event provided plenty of laughs, close calls and chaos for the crowd. When it was all over, John McInnis and the No. 609 stood alone as the inaugural Labor Day King of the Hill, earning the victory in one of the wildest events of the afternoon.”
I didn’t realize how anticipated this was, to be honest, but I’m willing to believe that if someone described what this plan was, I’d be anticipating it, too.
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There’s so much going on here, when you really think about it! There’s strategy! When is best to make a move? Just after a corner? Right before one? Trying to do this in a corner seems especially difficult but who knows? Does it make sense to try and get your car caught on the railing or tow hitch or some other bit of metal, to add a sort of mechanical advantage holding you onto the trailer?
Is a FWD or RWD car an advantage here? Is it better to pull yourself onto the moving trailer, or push? Does the moment of contact tire to the ramp factor in here? Is a heavier or lighter car better? I have so many questions and I want to try this so much, it’s absurd.
In my head, of course, I feel like hell yeah, I can get on that trailer! Reality would most likely have me spinning upside down in the middle of the track after a particularly misguided attempt that involved accidentally hitting the horn and maybe peeing myself a little bit.
This is a big moment in ridiculous racing. This is a time to celebrate. The rest of the world may be falling to shit, but in this one very specific realm of human endeavor, we’re cooking with gas.
UPDATE: I found an onboard video of the race from Danny Gill, driver of the number 97 Subaru Impreza:
Top graphic images: TBERG Media; 20th Century Fox
Hey guys! Hold my beer; watch this!!
That’s a hoot!
A few years back I got to compete in the “Faster Pastor” fundraising race at a local speedway. We were given our choice of clapped out beaters. I arrived late and was stuck with an old 4-cylinder Sebring coupe with an opaque windshield covered with chicken crap. I clouted a tractor tire (that I couldn’t see) and wiped the mirror off a minivan before roaring to second place. I still have mad respect for ‘90s Mopar.
Low speed novelty racing is peak American fairgrounds entertainment.
The ballad of rickety bobbity
Jason, if you want to check this out in person the next time, reach out to me. I live about 20 miles from there
This is nothing new. Caraway Speedway (Asheboro, NC) and Bowman Gray (Winston Slem, NC) For many years they have had trailer races. These are cars/trucks pulling boats, pop up campers and various other races. They have chain races with 3 cars. The front car has the engine. The second car has nothing and the rear car has brakes. Skid plate racing and a few more crash fests.
I so respect that the race cars don’t have a roll cage.
It’s crazy but I respect the lack of self preservation.
Or seemingly much else beyond helmets. Given the very real possibility of being flung somewhere, you’d think at at least HANS devices would be mandatory.
That would make sense.
Probably why they don’t have it.
This all happens at relatively low speeds, prob 45mph tops. Modern-ish cars are pretty well built. Buckle up and wear a helmet.
Hilarious! The bravest driver is in the pickup. “There’s no way a car could bounce into the cab, right? Right?”
Awesome, I’d say start at the front and apparently automatic transmission are 2 pointers. I’ve seen tons of stunts of people doing this. Around here for over 50 years King of the Hill has been driving cars up a hill fast but usually beaters but nothing as exciting as this.
Big Spy Hunter vibes
Dammit, that was So. Long. Ago. :/
I’m surprised we never saw this happen in Knight Rider, like Garth battering the truck as Michael is trying to get in so Bonnie can open the hood and wave a flashlight over things.
Why are we as a species not funding more of this!?
Can you imagine this as the pre-race event for Trophy Truck racing?
I live right by the Milwaukee Mile and I’m wondering why this isn’t happening there every weekend? We need to get our priorities straight.
Absolutely stunning levels of glorious fuckery. Hats off to all involved in this innovation!
I’m pretty sure RWD is the game here. Your drive wheels don’t have to deal with going from 40 to 0 whilst still delivering the right amount of forward force.
Yeah but FWD the truck can’t pull the trailer out from underneath you.
I think a version of this with two teams with 3 cars and a truck pulling a trailer on each team with the winner being the team that can get two of their cars on the opposite teams trailer for one lap each.
Think Roller Derby combined with pursuit racing but with cars.
How is this not the biggest racing series in the world?
Reminds me of the final act of the original “The Italian Job.”
I had the same thought.
Probably less than an hour from me. You bet I am going there if I know its gonna happen. When I was a kid the neighbors across the street had a Rookie class car. Fun!
I’m close too (Amherst). We need to have a New England Autopian meetup next time they have this
Yeah, you are close! Let’s do it!
I’ve seen at least part of the clip between my own FB feed and my SCCA friends. Is the truck actively trying to stop them? I was thinking he’s just a drone going in circles while the cars battle to get on the trailer.
it looks to me like the truck/trailer is trying to shake the cars off!
Proper snow tires (with metal studs) has got to be an advantage.
If I were perusing this, I think a front drive car with a foot operated parking brake with the locking ratchet disabled would be the secret sauce.
A four wheel drive would probably break or be very hard to control, a rear wheel drive might tend to launch at exactly the wrong time. A clutch would be essential.
Looks like lots of fun!
The car that had the onboard camera looked like an automatic
Cling A Trailer
Hats off, Sir Or Madam. Absolutely superb.
I saw this clip hit my social and had the exact same thought as you – Is it better to have front or rear wheel drive for this? What gives you more control? It looks like there’s a tendency to lurch towards the front of the trailer. Also, did the second guy who got on also win?
Maybe second???
First and a half
Ha!
And – perhaps counterintuitively, is it better to try to drive up the ramp in a turn vs the more obvious on the straights? As in a turn, it’s maybe harder for the pickup driver to shake you off without crashing himself?
Heh heh – that’s a pretty dang good idea, I tell ya hwat
hrm de hrm de, Wild! -Boomhauer
Khan would not approve; bringing down the property values.
Good. Low value means low(er) tax bill.
Yeah I love this sort of racing. It has the right amount of skill, entertainment, complexity, and strategy.
Another good group-watch activity is to watch “spectator drags”, drag races between mostly mundane street cars on a short oval track. It’s fun to pause at the starting line and debate who we think is going to win for each pairing. You find out the answer in about 30 seconds. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p1F1sTBGmPI
I’m glad to see another Carbon Video appreciator. Ramp Wars is a favorite at our house.
I saw this video the other day and thought the same. This is pure entertainment – demolition derby-like but not to the point of destruction since your goal is to beat another car onto the trailer while preventing others from beating you to it. Some skill involved for sure. More entertaining than the AK videos where they just launch cars off a cliff, although that is a spectacle as well.
I am of the firm belief that all forms of racing should be devised by a team of Rednecks.
This looks like the most fun you can have in a car while still clothed!