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2025 PIKES PEAK HILL CLIMB TICKETS ON SALE NOW
Whether you want to camp out the night before the race and watch the sunrise on America's Mountain, or you're looking to grab a group of friends and head up to Devils Playground on the new Fan Bus, there's a ticket for you! Join us on Race Day, June 22, 2025.
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Project Theme
156 Turns to Glory
Prize
Winning Artist receives $1000 cash prize + 2 VIP Race Day Tickets + 2 Invitations to VIP Reception, and will make an appearance at Fan Fest to autograph copies of their winning poster on Friday evening, June 20.
People’s Choice Winner receives $250.
Eligibility Requirements
Open to all ages
Professional, Amateur, and Student Submissions welcome
Artists must live in, or have very strong ties to, the Pikes Peak Region.
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OFFICIAL PPIHC MERCHANDISE
Hats off to our 2025 competitors! Pick out your favorite Official PPIHC hat today! Look for new merch rolling out soon. Browse all PPIHC Merch from hoodies to beanies and scarves, a variety of t-shirts both long and short sleeved, jackets, flannels, even commemorative coins and decals.
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Listen in to "Climbing to New Heights with Melissa Eickhoff" to learn more about Eickhoff's journey in motorsports. She champions women in leadership, the importance of history to this race, the opportunities for growth, creating sustainable partnerships, as well as challenges, changes, and trends.
From grassroots racers to the unique proving ground that is Pikes Peak, this episode has it all.
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MEET NICHOLAS EVELAND
PPIHC Intern
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"I'm a new resident of Colorado after relocating from New Jersey. I have always been a passionate motorsport fan. In years past, I watched the race, but attending was on my bucket list. Last year, after making the move, I knew I couldn’t miss the opportunity to witness the “Race to the Clouds” in person. This year I'm looking forward to being part of the team that makes it happen.
"I graduated from West Virginia University's Business Honors College, where I majored in International Business Management. My goal is to combine my love of motorsports with my management background to build a career in the industry."
Learn more about PPIHC Internships.
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FRAMEABLE MOMENTS WITH
LARRY CHEN
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“I knew Laura Hayes had serious driving skill when I watched her drive the BMW Parade of Champions car a few years back. She seriously moved up the mountain faster than some of the competitors that year! It was only a matter of time before she entered the Hill Climb herself. This past year she piloted the Thunder Bunny Racing Toyota Supra GT4 to a new record overall for the GT4 class.”
Photo: Laura Hayes, currently the fastest woman driver on the mountain with her 2024 clocking of 10:20.487, is shown during an early morning practice session.
Larry Chen
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Stock cars have added excitement to the Race to the Clouds for decades. While they were at the height of their popularity in the late 1960s, through the mid 1990s, they actually began racing on Pikes Peak much earlier. The first stock cars to challenge the mountain arrived in 1927, only a decade after the inaugural running in 1916. "Wild Bill" Bentrup won the six car division in his Stutz Sedan in 21:59.30.
In 1928, Wade Morton raced his #10 Auburn 8 Speedster to the stock car win.
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The Stock Car division continued through 1934. Winning race cars included a Studebaker Presidential, a Willys 6 Roadster (pictured below), a Cord, two Essex Terraplane models (pictured second below), and a Ford V-8 Roadster. | With the exception of 1931, a new division record was set every year and fell to 19:25.70 in 1934 in the #2 Roadster with Buster Hammond behind the wheel. | |
A stock car hiatus took place until 1956 when a new generation of Unsers, as well as local racers, brought their best to Pikes Peak. You can read more about that in our next issue. | |
FROM THE MOUNTAIN TO THE CLASSROOM | |
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On January 25, Sterling Chase presented "My Journey up the Mountain" to students at the 18th annual Educating Children of Color Summit at Fountain Ft. Carson High School. Chase related his entrepreneurial dream to students and fielded questions from students about possible careers in motorsports and what types of cars he worked on.
Thanks for inspiring students and promoting the PPIHC!
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43 INSTITUTE TO BENEFIT FROM 000 MAGAZINE SWEEPSTAKES
000 Magazine is giving away a Porsche 911 Turbo S, the same model that triumphed at Pikes Peak in 2022, driven by David Donner. This 000 Commission is the latest collaboration between 000 Magazine and Porsche Sonderwunsch.
5% of all proceeds generated through 000magazine.com during the sweepstakes period will be donated to 43 Institute. To enter the sweepstakes, follow this link.
43 Institute is a non-profit founded by the family of late motorsports icon and Pikes Peak competitor Ken Block to create pathways for underserved, highly driven “motivated misfits” with aspirations in motorsports, action sports, and the creative arts.
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LARRY OVERHOLSER
A regular on the mountain from the late 1960s through the mid-1990s, Larry Overholser's racing career spanned 24 years on Pikes Peak. He began racing in the Open Wheel division in 1967 (pictured below), and made the move to stock cars in 1971.
He achieved four podium finishes on the mountain. In 1992, Overholser's result would land him in 4th place. Roger Warden’s clocking of 12:35.07 just knocked Overholser off the podium, but he did finish ahead of every other Chevrolet in the division with his time of 12:35.63 – his fastest ever.
Bob Gillis, past PPIHC Board Chairman, and family friend, recalled, "Larry was a very fierce competitor but was also one of the most likely competitors to loan you a part, or help you repair your car to race against him.
Larry Overholser passed away on February 18, 2025 and will be greatly missed.
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Q: Which driver is this year's youngest competitor?
A. Loni Unser
B. Zach Lumsden
C. Trevor Aweida
D. Ethan Hunter
(Keep reading to find the answer!)
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Meet Mike Bukowski
PPIHC Board Member
"I was told my first trip to the Hill Climb was in 1964 when I was 15 months old. Growing up, we lived near Ted Foltz and loved watching him work on his car in his garage. We also went to see Gene Pacheco, Grier Manning, Dick Foltz and Jack Hahn. Scott and Wade Renck were neighbors, and we attended many races together, then we cheered them on as they began competing.
In the 1960s my dad and I would drive up to early morning practices. In those days, some of the drivers would pilot their race cars in the dark as they made their way up Highway 24 to Pikes Peak. I remember they'd fly past us going up...those were the days!
Our family has played an active role in the race since the early 1920s. My great-granddad, Malcolm Trapp volunteered in 1922 and 1923. My grandpa, Keith Trapp, was a sponsor and volunteered with the Sertoma Club to promote the race. My uncle, Mike Trapp, raced motorcycles in 1973 and 1974, and Mike’s father-in-law, Clark Newman, worked at the Toll Gate (Gateway) during the summer as the head of ticket sales. My dad, Dick Bukowski, volunteered in telecommunications.
I've been involved in the race since I was 15 years old when Nick Sanborn asked me if I wanted to help, so I began volunteering. I worked on the inventory at the original Pikes Peak Hill Climb Museum in Manitou Springs with Jan Pettit. Later, our company, Olson Plumbing and Heating was a car sponsor, and an event sponsor. Now, I serve on several committees including Competition, Appeals, and Hall of Fame. I'm a member of the Pikes Peak Hill Climb Historical Association, and I serve as Vice Chairman of the PPIHC Board of Directors.
My son, Michael, started sweeping the Starting Grid area when he was 13 years old, and then served as a member of the safety team. That makes five generations in my family who have played an active role in the PPIHC.
Currently, I'm part owner and Executive Vice President of Olson Plumbing and Heating Company, but during race week it's heading up to the early morning practices, then going to work, getting some sleep and repeating that all week. The entire month of June is one crazy, adrenaline-filled month. I love it!"
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Congratulations to past PPIHC competitor, Brad Lovell (pictured below) on his win at the 2025 Every Man Challenge. Lovell, and son, Adam, also won the Desert Race.
Levi Shirley and Loren Healy both have PPIHC connections. Shirley's jaw dropping rollover and continue video with post-race interview continues to impress. Look for Loren Healy to compete for the first time in the PPIHC in June.
| From 14,115' above sea level on Pikes Peak - America's Mountain to 89' in the Saudi Arabian desert at the Dakar Rally, several competitors made the impressive journey in 2025. | |
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The Colorado-based father and son race team of Craig and Zach Lumsden were featured in the Dakar Portrait series. Zach's father, Craig, shared, "We recently returned from the 2025 FIA World Rally Raid Championship in Dakar. It was a grueling event that ultimately saw Zach’s ability to shine on a grand international stage. Completing the entire event, 12 stages and over 3000 miles over a 13 day period, Zach finished 10th overall in the T3 Challenger Class and 3rd overall in the rookie class.
"As for myself, it was necessary to withdraw from the event as my co-driver became extremely ill and needed to fly back to the US immediately for medical attention. A heartbreak, but I was able to get four days of the event in under my belt."
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SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2025
Norris Penrose Event Center in Colorado Springs
A Colorado Springs Sports Corporation Partner Event
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This documentary film, featuring PPIHC record holder, Romain Dumas, won the 2024 International Motor Film Award for Best Documentary. | |
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TRIVIA ANSWER:
C. At 26 years old, Trevor Aweida is the youngest competitor in 2025.
This will be his fifth year racing on Pikes Peak. Look for him in the Pikes Peak Open division in his #117 1984 BMW 4000.
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AVAILABLE ON THE MAVTV APP
A Four-Part Series
2024 Pikes Peak Challenge
Individual episodes feature GT4, Time Attack & Open Wheel, Pikes Peak Open and Exhibition, and an overall summary.
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GET SOCIAL WITH PPIHC FOR FRESH, INTERACTIVE,
YEAR-ROUND CONTENT
Subscribe to our YouTube channel HERE
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Photo credits: Larry Chen Photo: Larry Chen, Luis Garcia, Payton Smith, Louis Yio, Charles Zhao, Jason Zindroski. PPIHC Archives, Craig Lumsden, Gregg Sheldon. | | | | |
