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
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
For awareness, the course is generally behind a locked gate in the evenings and weekends. If you would like to go see it during those times please let us know and we can arrange to have it opened for you.
Paddock Rules and Load In
Friday check-in and staging will happen at the East Kentucky University parking area at 50 University Dr, Manchester, KY 40962. This is a location where trucks, trailers, campers, etc- can be left for the weekend. On Saturday and Sunday mornings comp cars and needed support items can be moved to the parking area at the top of the hill- 1535 Shamrock Rd, Manchester, KY 40962 and kept there while competition runs are happening.
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.
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.
Lodging and Camping
Lodging options in Manchester are limited. The official event hotel is the Heritage Inn and Suites- (606)598-1800. There are a number of hotels to choose from in London, which is about 25 minutes away. RV/Trailer camping is welcome at the EKU parking area for Friday and Saturday nights, and tent camping is allowed at the top of the hill as well.
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.
As always, if you have questions, please ask at appalachianhillclimb@gmail.com