There are plenty of different types of racing I’ve grown to like over the years – rally, rallycross, dirt short track, and motocross just to name a few –  I never imagined that hillclimbing would make it to the top of my list.

This year, we had the opportunity to photograph the 2026 Appalachian Hillclimb Series Pine Mountain Hillclimb in Pineville, Kentucky. Unlike other types of racing, hillclimbs see drivers race against the clock up twisting mountain roads with elevation gains, tight switchbacks, and changing road conditions. Needless to say, the event didn’t disappoint and quickly became one of our favorite types of racing to photograph.

Held at the Pine Mountain State Resort Park in Pineville, Kentucky, the Pine Mountain Hillclimb serves as the opening event of the 2026 Appalachian Hillclimb Series. Drivers from across the region and from many states bring everything from lightly modified street cars to purpose-built racing machines to compete on the closed mountain road.

The course itself is deceptively challenging. Stretching approximately 1.8 miles with 10 turns and a 650 foot elevation gain, the road averages a 7% grade from start to finish. Close rock walls, guardrails, and a historic roadway bridge built in the 1930s leaves little room for error. Justin Reed currently holds the official course record with a 1:36.087 time set in 2025 and Connor Martell posted an even faster unofficial time in a EV rally car, highlighting just how fast drivers can attack the mountain.

This year, it would be Martin Donnelly in the Special Open 2017 Karts Crosskart that would take home King of the Mountain with a 1:36.706 – less than 1 second away from claiming the hill record. While many drivers attempted to dethrone Martin, James Togher, Justin Reed, Sean McMeel, and Dermot Treanor would be the closest with a little over 6 seconds separating the top 5 competitors.

Photographing a hillclimb made us think differently. With each car only making a limited number of timed runs, there are few opportunities to get the perfect shot. If you miss the moment, you have to wait until the next run to get another chance. That means scouting locations carefully, anticipating how the cars are going to perform in each turn, and staying ready each time a car comes into view.

The constantly changing landscape, dense forests, elevation changes, and mountain curves created backgrounds that simply don’t exist at most racing venues. The people, the course, and the community definitely left a lasting impact. Needless to say, we’re hooked.

The Pine Mountain Hillclimb made it easy for us to map out the rest of the year as we plan on following the Appalachian Hillclimb Series through 2026 and make it a priority for years to come.

Join us, the Appalachian Hillclimb Series, and all the amazing drivers/crews as we head to the Historic Brushy Mountain State Penitentiary for the  Inaugural Brushy Mountain Hillclimb in Petros, Tennessee on May 29-31.

Hope to see you there!