Photos

By Dick Swaim

© Copyright 2007

The Big Eliminator Hill Climb is the featured event at Gravelrama where than 300 4x4 racers from more than 30 states and several Canadian provinces came to Cleves to compete at the former gravel pit. Produced by the IOK Four Wheelers for the thirty-seventh year, the 66-acre site, near the village, was a sea of vehicles of all shapes sizes that had at least one thing in common... huge rear tires with paddle-like flaps, in-place of treads, that are used to dig into the loose gravel  for better traction. The crowd of thousands whoop it up each time a racer throws a "rooster tail" of gravel as they try to negotiate the hills or flat drag courses.

Following a "test and tune" day for racers only on Wednesday August 22, the 37th annual event opened to the public Thursday beginning with a parade through the Village of Cleves. The race events then began on Friday and continued through Monday with the "The Obstacle Course" as the final event. It is a one-mile route that consists of parts of the flat and uphill drag strips, muddy water holes, jumps and top speeds. If a vehicle breaks down, the racer has the option to finish on foot.

Races up the 7 story high "Big Eliminator Hill" on Sunday where spectacular. the object is simple.... Make it over the top of the hill... At a length of 175 feet, and an angle of about 75 degrees, getting to the top it easier said than done.

For more information about Gravelrama see their Web site: www.gravelrama.com