Lands End Hill Climb 1941

Now known as the 3rd oldest continuing race in the USA behind Pikes Peak and the Indy 500, The Lands End Hill Climb was a big deal. And it still is; to people like me it is the highlight of my year. Not just because of all the Motorcycle class wins or the champaign spray podium celebrations alongside legends like Zwart and Dallenbach. It is in the decomposing volcanic gravel, the dust, and the twisting turning road itself. It is the best race course I have ever known. Unlike Pikes Peak and the Indy 500, there is very little material about the race. I have found zero info at the local Grand Junction Museum of the West. Despite being won by Louis Unser, there is little to be found on Google. The race was a huge race but WWII put it on hold and the Colorado Hill Climb Association didn't bring it back until the 1980's. My good buddy Peter told me he had a friend who had some old photos and programs. I asked and was so very fortunate enough to have them lent to me. Today peter dropped off a manila envelop with these photographs inside, along with the 1940,1941 programs and other interesting bits. I will scan them and share them here with all as I hope to not only preserve such outstanding history but hopefully inspire a younger generation to build some race shit and keep this awesome past time alive.

The owner of the photograph's grandmother posing next to the 2nd place finisher car. Check the penmanship written on the back of the photo below. Amazing. These building's concrete foundation's still stand at the start line. No more big cottonwood trees though.