2008 Homebuilt

Beneath the iconic Pagoda, James Swift’s self-built prototype—a lightweight, open-cockpit machine inspired by 1970s-era racers—roared up the 1.35-mile Duryea Drive course. Crafted from a custom tube-frame chassis and assembled from scratch, the car stood out for its raw, vintage silhouette and purposeful setup.

Powered by a mid-mounted four-cylinder engine and equipped with a sequential gearbox, broad racing slicks, and a robust roll cage, the homebuilt beast was engineered to compete with seasoned hillclimb cars. Swift, a 2023 PHA Rookie of the Year, tackled Pagoda’s nine technical turns with determination and precision—each corner a testament to both driver growth and mechanical ingenuity .

Though still learning the ropes at his first Pagoda appearance, the car delivered a memorable performance: its open exhaust growled off the hillside, and its mechanical demeanor captured the spirit of grassroots motorsport. While not vying for overall victory, Swift’s effort exemplified passion, craftsmanship, and community—the true heart of hillclimb racing.

In a field of vintage icons and purpose-built prototypes, the 2008 James Swift homebuilt car reminded everyone that with enough ambition and grit, even a garage-built machine can shine beneath the Pagoda.