As the mayor of Weatherly, Tom Connors is expected to give welcoming remarks at special events in the town, such as the Weatherly Hillclimb.

At this year’s Hillclimb, held Saturday and Sunday, he did much more.He became so enthralled with the event that he bought a car a few months ago — a 1991 Mazda 323 — and ran the steep, uphill, milelong course both days.He said he and his wife have been attending the Hillclimb for about 15 years.“I always wanted to get a car,” he said. “I have three sons and thought they might want to get involved.”His one son, Tom Jr., spent 10 years in the Army as a mechanic. He has become the crew’s pit chief.Connors wasn’t the only first-time driver at the event. There were a total of 108 vehicles registered to compete, more than any event in the town since the Weatherly Hillclimb Association took over running it in 2002.The Hillclimb has been held twice a year in Weatherly — the spring and fall — since 1960.It was about to become extinct in 2001 due to rising costs, especially insurance prices. Spearheaded by president Joe Cyburt, the Weatherly Hillclimb Association was formed and the events continued.This past weekend’s Hillclimb drew participants from as far away as Piedmont, North Carolina; Bethlehem, New Hampshire; Washington D.C.; Royal Oak, Michigan; St. Clair Shores, Michigan; Manassas, Virginia, and Easley, South Carolina.This marks the seventh year that Bill Northon of Shillington has been participating.“I love Weatherly,” Norton said. “The people are fabulous.”He said he got involved 10 years ago when he bought a replica of a 1959 Super Cooper Formula 403. “I built it on my garage floor,” he said, adding that he installed a 1951 Vincent motorcycle engine. “I’m into Vincent motorcycles and I had a spare crank case,” he said.The highlight on Sunday was the honoring of two local residents by the association.They are Michael Leib, owner of much of the property utilized by the association for the race, and Weatherly Area High School sophomore Emily Zoscin.Leib, the owner of Weatherly Casting and Machinery, said Cyburt approached him years ago and asked if he would consider letting the Hillclimb Association use his property for its events.“I said ‘sure,’ ” he said. “Anything that would help the community and help civic organizations was OK with me.”Of the Hillclimb, Leib said, “The way it has grown through the years is amazing.”Of being honored by the Hillclimb Association, he said, “I’m very humbled, truly humbled by this honor.”Cyburt said he feels the Hillclimb is an asset to Weatherly.“Youth groups are helped,” he said, noting many organizations including Weatherly Little League and a Boy Scout troop, operate food stands during the Hillclimb. “The money they raise enables them to do what they do throughout the year without a lot of other fundraisers,” he said.He said, “It’s a real community event.”Cyburt pointed out the various types of cars that participate, ranging from older MGs to older 1950s models to modern racing vehicles such as various formulas that range from cars powered by basic engines to vehicles powered by exotic full race engines.Todd Stehle of Jim Thorpe came to the event with relatives from Allentown and Florida.Some of the vehicles are a hodgepodge of parts. Take, for example, the vehicle driven by Frank Scavo of Old Forge, Luzerne County.Scavo’s car, listed as a Jaguar XKE/Chevrolet because its body has parts of both vehicles, was purchased from a junk yard some years ago. He used a Mustang front end, a Pinto axle, a Chevrolet engine and a Saturn electrical system, to name some of the parts.“We’ve been coming for at least 12 years,” said Louise Pennyman of Scranton. “It’s held in a beautiful setting and the cars you see here are unbelievable.”Carbon County Commissioner Tom J. Gerhard said he recalls attending the Hillclimbs as far back as the 1970s. He said he attended Weatherly High School and some school organizations had stands. “Joe (Cyburt) took it to a whole new level,” he said. “This is one of the premiere events in Carbon County and I am very proud to be part of it.”At the formal festivities, Sarah Minnich of Weatherly sang the national anthem.The Weatherly Fire Department and Weatherly Ambulance Association assisted.Local drivers who participated were Frank Katona of Junedale, and Ray Kochin, Courtney Coxe, Mayor Connors, Matt Hoegg, Brandon Lazar, Ed Grega and Jeffery Rossi Jr., all of Weatherly.The next Hillclimb is Sept. 16 and 17.