The Buck Mountain Road in Weatherly is one of the most menacing in Carbon County, with a 1-mile incline rising by 340 feet in elevation.

Some of the turns in the road are so extreme they have a recommended 5 mph speed limit.This past weekend, skilled drivers raced against time to see who could maneuver their vehicles up the mountain the fastest.The annual Weatherly Hillclimb consisted of 100 cars, including BMWs and Chevrolet Novas, modified stock cars, street cars, sports racers and formula vehicles.The event attracted drivers from 10 states, including New Hampshire, Connecticut, Illinois, Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, North Carolina, South Carolina and Pennsylvania. Washington, D.C., also was represented by a car and driver.There were drivers from the host town of Weatherly, as well as from Carlisle, Lebanon, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and Scranton.Spectators came from equally distant places.Although the Weatherly Hillclimb has become a tradition in the community for more than 50 years, financial difficulties almost spelled its demise in 2001.That’s when the Weatherly Hillclimb Association was formed to take over the event.This is the 15th year that the volunteer group is running the race.Joe Cyburg, president of the Weatherly Hillclimb Association, termed this year’s event a success.“There was a little of everything” in this year’s race, he said,Tom Knorr of Pen Argyl, a retired schoolteacher, was inducted into the Weatherly Hillclimb hall of fame. Knorr competed in his first Weatherly Hillclimb in 1967. He placed first in 1968. He is still an active driver.He and his wife, Gail, have been members of the Weatherly Hillclimb Association for more than 10 years.Their son, Garth, also takes part in the hill climb.“It’s great to see such a good turnout of cars, drivers, spectators and volunteers,” Cyburg said. “The number of cars is comparable to last year’s hill climb.”He said the hill climb is sanctioned by the Sports Car Club of America.Weatherly Mayor Tom Connors helped kick off the race by riding up the hill in Knorr’s 1964 Austin Healy Sprite.Carbon County Commissioner Thomas J. Gerhard labeled the Weatherly Hillclimb “a remarkable event.”State Rep. Doyle Heffley added, “Motor sports is a huge economic driver for the state of Pennsylvania.”He said mega tracks, events like this, dirt tracks and the associated industries help the Keystone State’s economy.A parade with the vehicles was held through the streets of Weatherly on Friday.On Saturday night, a banquet was held at the Citizens Fire Company in Weatherly.The racing occurred throughout the day on Saturday and Sunday.