WILBRAHAM – It all started on September 11, 1908 when 72 cars from the Springfield Automobile Club raced from bottom to top of Monson Rd. Wilbraham’s Town Hall still holds the original road sign from that event   Now, 109 years later, the Wilbraham Hill Climb is back on July 8.

According to information provided by Paul Maguire, who is a Wilbraham Department of Public Works employee, in the early 1900s, Indian Motorcycle along with other automobile companies in the Springfield area used to test-drive their vehicles on Monson Rd.  The road boasts an estimated elevation ascent of 300 feet to 770 feet with a 23 percent grade.

In 2013, the town asked Maguire to organize the reenactment for Wilbraham’s 250th anniversary.  The hill climb occured once more in 2015, and now again in 2017.

Star of Chasing Classic Cars Wayne Carini attended the hill climb in 2013 and in 2015.  This year, not only is Carini coming to Wilbraham, he’s bringing the Velocity Channel and his car in tow.  Carini will be racing on camera in his Stutz against his friend Ralph who will be driving a Packard.  The two will each complete a timed, one-mile lap from the bottom of Monson Rd. to the top to find out who is the champion.

“We’re pretty excited about it now that the Velocity Channel is coming.  It’s not just fun, it’s about the history; it’s putting Wilbraham on the map,” Maguire said.

Not only will there be plenty of cars racing up the mountain, there will be numerous motorcycle and vintage automobile displays, the GM “Futureliner” and a live band.  Green Meadow Farm is going to have a display of cars from The Western Mass Porsche Club.

“Car corrals” will line Main Sreet and there will be activity tents at United Church and Gazebo Park.  Lunch will be available for purchase at Krazy Jake’s cart and United Church Green Grill.

People are coming from all over the world to watch the Wilbraham Hill Climb.  Maguire’s family is coming from Ireland, his homeland, to experience the fun.

The activities start at 8 a.m., cars line up at 9 a.m., and at 9:15 a.m. the hill climb begins.  The Wilbraham Hill Climb will last until 3 p.m.  If spectators aren’t interested in joining the masses on the hill, they’re able to see all of the cars along Main St. as they return from the hill climb loop.  A free shuttle service will be provided all day from the Minnechaug Regional High School and Mile Tree School parking lots, with service to Bruuer Pond and Green Meadow Farm, located halfway up the course.   For more information on the day’s events, go to http://www.wilbrahamhillclimb.com.