Last Update: 11 November 2022
Known as the ‘devil’s staircase”, Molly Carbon hillclimb racer was the only Pro motorcycle hillclimb woman competitor during this past summer’s AMA (American Motorcyclist Association) Pro Racing Hillclimb series at the Middle Tennessee Drag way in Buffalo Valley. Molly Carbon took her first trip up the hill on her 1969 500cc Triumph 100% nitromethane fuelled bike and made history for the event.
What is Hillclimb Racing?
A Hillclimb is a series of trials against time or distance on a steep hill especially prepared for the purpose. The hills have varying degrees of slope from about 45 degrees to almost vertical. Hillclimbing (also known as hill climbing, speed hillclimbing or speed hill climbing) is a branch of motorsport where riders compete against the clock with modified off-road motorcycles up an uphill course.
Hillclimb racers are nicknamed “nitromethane daredevils”.
Molly Carbon Hillclimb Racer History
Buffalo Valley’s Middle Tennessee drag way, for this the second year, was the southernmost site for the sport at the only professional-level hillclimb in Tennessee. Many of the competitors in the Professional Hillclimb series ran on fuel that NASA scientists would approve of.
It was historic for Molly Carbon as she became the first woman to race the hillclimb with a nitromethane-fuelled motorcycle. Competing in the AMA Extreme Class; the only woman racer amongst the 33 riders. The Extreme Class allows riders can use alternative fuel, modified suspension and snow chains or studs on their tires. It was here Carbon made hillclimb history.
What is Nitromethane Fuel?
Nitromethane is used as a fuel in motor racing, particularly drag racing, and is commonly referred to in this context as “nitro”. The oxygen content of nitromethane enables it to burn with much less atmospheric oxygen. Meaning it makes the bike significantly faster as well as louder — and more dangerous.
More About Molly Carbon Hillclimb Racer #32
Molly Carbon Hillclimb racer, 26 years of age and lives in Bellingham, MA. USA. She’s a Radiology Technician. She started hillclimbing when she was just eight years of age. She became 2009 Women’s AMA National champion in New Ulm, USA. Her step over to the pro arena not only made history but ended with a third place and points in the hillclimb Pro Sport class. Carbon races at any dirt bike event she can and also competes in snowmobile hillclimb.
Her step over to the pro arena not only made history but ended with a third place and points in the hillclimb Pro Sport class.
Molly informed us of the difference between her motorcycle (bike she formerly competed on) and the nitro bike. Her motorcycle is a 505cc dirt bike, 60HP, runs on gas, and has a rear paddle tire. Where he Nitro bike is a 500cc Triumph which runs on 100% nitromethane generating 150HP, and has chains on the rear tire.
More…
- 2012- turned pro with the help of Dave McCutchen, owner of MTF Racing
- 2015 – obtained expert license; became the first female to achieve a top 10 points finish by season’s end; in an expert class
- 2016, July 30 – made history becoming the first female to race a motorcycle on 100% nitro methane in Cookeville TN, USA
- Motorcycle is Triumph 1969 500cc running on 100% nitromethane
- Team – Kreeger and Sons Professional Hillclimb team owned by Ralph Kreeger. Also rides with Libhart Bros Racing owned by Phil Libhart also a rider.
- Competes in the AMA Hillclimb Xtreme class (451cc-700cc)
- Also partakes in ice racing and snowmobile cross country races; some motocross, arena cross, enduro, and flat track races.
Big congrats Molly Carbon!
Visit Molly on her Facebook page.
