Manchester, KY
2025 Shamrock Mountain HillClimb
2025 Shamrock Mountain HillClimb
Presented by Summit Racing Equipment, Backroads of Appalachia, and Grassroots Motorsports
Hosted by the Appalachian HillClimb Series and Blue Ridge Region, SCCA
A part of the Clay County Mountain Motorsports Festival
October 10-12, 2025
Shamrock Mountain - Manchester, KY
Registration Opens August 27th
EVENT NOTE - As this event is currently being planned, information here is subject to change, please check back for updates as the event date nears.
Join us for the first ever Shamrock Mountain Hillclimb, the best little hill in all of Kentucky! Whether you are joining us as a driver, event team member or just a fan of motorsport, we are excited to host you in Manchester for a weekend of fun, cars and friends!
Clay County Mountain Motorsports Festival
The Shamrock Mountain HillClimb is part of the Clay County Motorsports Festival, an event that brings HillClimb, AutoCross, RallyCross and RoadRally to Manchester for a weekend of SCCA fun. The HillClimb will run Saturday and Sunday, while the AutoCross and RallyCross will be Saturday only and the RoadRally on Sunday. Because of the unique run format, HillClimbers will have a chance to check out and sample all the offering across the weekend. More info on AutoCross, RallyCross and RoadRally, soon.
Join our Event Team
Want to do more than just watch? We’ve got a spot for you! The event team does everything from marshalling the course to managing traffic to handing out lunches. Travel cost assistance and lodging is available, and we provide lunches and Saturday night dinner. For more information visit our Get Involved Page
Event Locations
Meeting Times / Locations
Workers Meeting: 7:45 - Top of the Hill
Drivers Meeting: 8:00 - Top of the Hill
Weekend Schedule
Subject to Changes
| Friday - October 10 | |
|---|---|
| 2:00pm | EKU parking opens / Hill open for sighting runs |
| 3:00pm | Tech and Registration open at EKU |
| 5:45pm | Tech and Registration close at EKU |
| 6:00pm | Welcome Party at Manchester Distilling (Reg Open) |
| 8:00pm | Registration Closes |
| Saturday - October 11 | |
| 7:00am | Top of Hill open for Load In, Tech/Registration |
| 7:45am | Workers Meeting – Top of Hill |
| 8:00am | Drivers Meeting – Top of Hill |
| 8:30am | Course open for competition runs |
| 12:00pm | Lunch Break |
| 1:00pm | Competition Runs Resume |
| 3:00pm | Course closes |
| 3:30pm | Autocross Exhibition Hillclimb cars |
| 4:50pm | Autocross Course closes |
| 6:00pm | Car Show, Downtown Manchester |
| Sunday - October 12 | |
| 7:00am | Top of Hill open for Load In |
| 7:45am | Workers Meeting – Top of Hill |
| 8:00am | Drivers Meeting – Top of Hill |
| 8:30am | Course open for competition runs |
| 12:00pm | Lunch Break |
| 1:00pm | Competition Runs Resume |
| 3:00pm | Course closes |
| 3:30pm | Trophies |
Event Format and Course Information
The Course
The Shamrock course is more like what you may have seen from some European HillClimb than the hills we are accustomed to in the Appalachian HillClimb Series - it is tight, technical and narrow - making for a unique challenge for drivers and cars. Don't take our word for it, check out this video to see for yourself...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nmRn_J-oD_o
Google Maps Link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/C7sVx77frB1dVAcw9
Event Format
Each morning will start with a drivers' meeting at the top of the hill, afterwards the course will go hot. As Shamrock Mountain Road is a loop, drivers can roll down the backside to the staging area any time they like. There will not be run groups or a limit on number of runs taken. When you are ready, get in line.
Run Procedure
There are not run groups for this event. Drivers may go to the start line whenever the like, as many times as they like. We are planning to run from 8:30am-3:00pm both days, with a noon lunch break. This should allow for everyone to be able to get 8-10 runs each day.
Autocross
With support from Backroads of Appalachia and Clay County, the Central Kentucky Region is hosting an autocross on HWY 421 on Saturday. Drivers registered for the autocross will run beginning at 1pm. If anyone would like to participate in the autocross, please register at the link below- we can cover work assignments for workers who want to run. Once the registered cars have completed the official event, there may be time for HillClimb cars to take some exhibition runs - if you are interest in doing this, please let me know- ASAP.
Register for SOLO Fun Event at the Manchester Hillclimb
Paddock Rules and Load In
This event will have two paddocks - the first is at EKU (50 University Dr, Manchester, KY 40962), and it will be open all day on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. This is likely the best place to park larger rigs for the weekend. The second paddock is at the top of the hill (1535 Shamrock Rd, Manchester, KY 40962). There is plenty of space at the top but the road in and out is tight. We are hoping that we can start paddocking at the top of the hill on Friday afternoon - once we have access anyone who would like to move their car / rig / etc. to the top of the hill may do so. We will be able to get vehicles to and from the EKU paddock as needed.
Social Events and Lodging Information...
Friday Night Party
Please plan to join us in downtown Manchester at Manchester Distilling for dinner and tastings from 6-9pm. Parking is limited so shuttles will be running from the EKU campus between 5:45 and 6pm and 7:30 and 9pm.
Saturday Night Social
Join us, and all the participants in the festival weekend on Saturday night at the Manchester East Kentucky University campus for an evening car show with music, food and friends- old and new. This is a great chance to show off your ride, meet the participants in the other events and grow interest in SCCA motorsports in Kentucky.
Car Show
...but wait - there's more! After the autocross, BoA and Manchester are hosting a car show downtown - so bring your HillClimb cars on down for a little show and shine. Local restaurants will be open and ready for us!
Camping
For those who would like to camp, there are two options. There is space at the top of the hill, which is ideal for tent camping and smaller campers. For larger campers, there is space at the EKU campus- the road to the top of the hill is not ideal for larger campers/rigs. Please be aware that neither location has hookups or showers.
Lodging
If you do not have lodging yet and would like a room in Manchester, we do have some rooms left at the Heritage Inn and Suites. If you are interested, please email appalachianhillclimb@gmail.com.
Provided Event Team Lodging and Travel Cost Assistance
For those on the event team, AHS is happy to provide shared room lodging at the Heritage Inn. Just let us know you would like a room while registering and let us know if you have a preferred roommate. For event team members who arrange their own lodging, camping or otherwise- travel assistance is available, $100 for those who support 2 or more days.
Check-In / Tech
Check-in and tech will be available from 2pm-5:45 at EKU, from 6-8pm at Manchester Distilling and from 7-7:45am at the top of the hill.
As always, if you have questions, please ask at appalachianhillclimb@gmail.com