Manchester to Host New Shamrock Mountain HillClimb and Motorsports Festival in October

MANCHESTER, Ky. — Clay County and Manchester is gearing up to welcome a brand-new event this fall: the Shamrock Mountain HillClimb, scheduled for October 11–12. But this isn’t just another motorsports event—it’s the foundation for what organizers hope will become a full-scale mountain motorsports festival.

The event is being hosted by the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) in collaboration with Backroads of Appalachia, and will feature a unique circuit hillclimb course along with autocross, a road rally, car show, live music, and family-friendly activities like bounce houses.

“Our goal is to build a mountain motorsports festival,” said Heyward Wagner, SCCA Vice President of Rally/Solo and Experiential. “Get people up there for the weekend, really enjoy Eastern Kentucky in the fall.”

Unlike traditional hillclimbs, the Shamrock Mountain HillClimb is set on a circuit-style course—offering a route that goes up the mountain and another that comes down.

“No run groups. No limits on runs,” Wagner added. “Run till you’re out of town or out of tires. It’s going to be an absolutely dream weekend for people.”

The event is made possible in part by House Bill 29, which cleared the way for the temporary closure of public roads for motorsport events. According to organizers, the autocross course will run on a six-lane stretch between Eastern Kentucky University’s Manchester campus and McDonald’s.

“This is exactly the type of innovative event we welcome in Clay County,” said County Judge-Executive Tommy Harmon. “We appreciate the SCCA and Backroads of Appalachia for choosing Manchester. Events like this bring energy, tourism, and excitement to our region.”

Backroads of Appalachia Executive Director Erik Hubbard played a pivotal role in securing the venue and building support for the event.

“I consider Manchester, Clay County, the seat of Eastern Kentucky,” Hubbard said. “It’s a county-owned property, and they’re willing to do the work to make it perfect. We’re building something special here.”

Hubbard also emphasized the goal of bringing different motorsports communities together, regardless of sanctioning body.

“Motorsports is motorsports,” he said. “All tides raise ships … and we [at Backroads of Appalachia] work for everybody.”