Report by Randy Hale

Mount Washington New Hampshire, the highest peak in the northeast at 6,288 feet. With bitter cold, extreme winds and snow into June Mount Washington is hardly the ideal place for a road race. However, in late winter it was announced the for the first time since 1999 the Mount Washington hill climb, otherwise known as "The Climb To The Clouds, was scheduled to take place June 2011.

The plan was to run my Mazda 2 B-spec racecar. This would be the very first Mazda 2 to compete in this hill climb. Hale Motorsports has had a lot of firsts with the 2011 Mazda 2, first to race a Mazda 2 in North America, first to win a race in North America, first to Rally cross a Mazda 2 in the snow and first to run a Mazda 2 in a long race (13 hour if VIR, 25 hour Thunderhill, and 12 hour NJMP Devil in the Dark).

The 7.6-mile Mt. Washington Auto Road is one of the ultimate challenges for driver and automobile, the serpentine tarmac and gravel road is lined with trees and dramatic drop-offs as it winds its way to the summit of the Northeast's tallest peak.

On the race day, run number one. Weather at the top was looking like high winds, rain and bloody cold. My goal was to break 10 minutes for a full run to the top. On the first run I felt good on the lower half. Just after the turn at Cragway I drove into the clouds. I couldn't see more then 20 feet in front of the Mazda 2. I had to slow some. I crossed the finish line at 10:04, just outside of my objective.

Run number two was going to be my last chance to get under 10 minutes. I hit a little rain on the way up; I was hoping that the clouds had lifted. As I got to Cragway, it was still clear. After I crossing the finish line I called down to Warren to get my time. 9:43!

The Mount Washington Hill Climb is a great event; I had a lot fun. The Mazda 2 ran great all weekend never putting a wheel wrong. I made some new friends and good racing. I would love to run it again if given the chance.