Dave Gibson, Central City. Bandimere Speedway, otherwise known as “Thunder Mountain,” in Morrison isn’t the only place in Colorado where the hillsides rumble. Saturday, September 14, in Central City the 7th Annual Hot Rod Hill Climb created weather with some “Rocky Mountain thunder” of its own.

After a minute of silence in memory of Colorado hot rod legend and hill climb pioneer Vern Holmes, ‘20s, ‘30s, and 1940s custom hot rods queued up in the staging/pit area. A ramp gave a few of the cars a boost heading into the steep course that wound up Spring and Virginia Streets. Earplugs weren’t a bad idea at the starting line and one hot rod threw so much smoke with a burnout that it only did one run to save some rubber for the next event on the owner’s racing itinerary. 

Entrants could do as many runs as they wanted or as many as their cars would give them. Todd Gribble of Phoenix took seven. He had traveled from Arizona to Watertown, South Dakota, in his ‘34 Ford to pick up his brother and nephew for the race. Ted and Dianne Allan from Calgary, Alberta, tooled 1,100 miles in their stylish and reliable ’27 Flathead Ford hot rod to participate and claim to have logged 70,000 miles touring North America during the last four years. Harry Joe of Shawano, WI, salvaged the front cowling, dash, and two rear quarter panels from country music star Toby Keith’s dad’s field in Oklahoma which makes his rat rod creation almost famous. 

Vintage automobiles of almost every description lined Main Street for attendees to marvel at while not watching the contest. Century Casino offered elk bratwurst and 2 lb. grilled turkey legs for the truly ravenous. Smoked barbeque, cheesesteaks, and craft beer could be purchased across the street behind Dostal Alley. On the main music stage, Ethyl and the Regulars, Coop and the Chicken Pluckers, and the Hillbilly Hellcats kept the pedal to the metal with rockabilly numbers throughout the afternoon.

At 3 p.m. a crash on the course abruptly ended the day’s racing. A snapped front axle sent the affected hot rod careening into a rock wall on a hairpin turn. The passenger sustained minor injuries that required stitches but is reportedly otherwise fine. 

Awards were given that included King of the Hill, Most Runs up the Hill, Killer Thrash, Thottler’s Pick, Nick’s Pick, and Flag Girl Favorite.

On Sunday the drivers took a leisurely motor tour to Estes Park and back enjoying the snow-dotted mountain views and just-turning fall foliage on the Peak to Peak Highway.

To view past articles and pictures go to www.DaveGibsonImages.com.   

(Originally published in the September 26, 2019, print edition of The Mountain-Ear.)