THE 2025 REQUEST FOR INVITATION PROCESS IS OPEN THROUGH JANUARY 30, 2025 | |
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Drivers hoping to compete in the 103rd Running of the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb on June 22, 2025 may submit a Request for Invitation through January 30, 2025.
The PPIHC welcomes applications from competitors around the world and will review approximately 100 submissions before issuing 70 invitations. Applications should include documents such as the driver's resume, racing references, vehicle specs and photos, and build sheets depicting roll cage safety requirements.
Interested teams and competitors may apply online HERE.
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TICKETS ON SALE DECEMBER 1
All Race Day, Practice Day and Camping Permits will be available
December 1st!
New option for 2025!
Experience Devils Playground on the new FAN BUS.
Grab your friends and get tickets in advance.
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GET READY FOR WINTER WEATHER
WITH OFFICIAL PPIHC MERCH
Chase away the chill in this popular PPIHC logo hoodie. A great way to show you're a PPIHC fan year-round!
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Bring on the snow! This puffer jacket will keep you toasty warm. Available in Men's and Ladies versions.
It's not too early to think about holiday gifts!
View all Official PPIHC Merch and order HERE
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Fans of the PPIHC may recognize this little guy who will be back in stock by Christmas...which is just around the corner!
He's perfect for not only fans, but nature lovers, young and old.
Check back often to see when this chubby marmot makes his appearance!
(And get 15% off PPIHC merch through Nov 22)
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PPIHC PINT GLASS
BY NORTH DRINKWARE
If you missed the popular 2024 PPIHC pint glass, now is the time to add it to your collection. These sell out quickly, so order your North Drinkware today. Just in time for a holiday toast!
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The Pikes Peak International Hill Climb has been contested every year since 1916, except during WWI and WWII. The United States did not legally cease racing during WWI, but the Indianapolis 500 voluntarily suspended competition in 1917 and 1918. The PPIHC followed suit, resuming competition in 1920.
After the bombing of Pearl Harbor in 1941, when the US entered the war, Eddie Rickenbacker, who, interestingly, is listed on the 1916 entry list for Pikes Peak, announced that the Indianapolis 500 would be suspended for the duration of the war.
By the end of February, 1942, AAA announced all auto racing sanctioned under their contest board would be postponed until the war ended. The US Office of Defense Transportation ordered all auto and motorcycle racing to cease effective July 10, 1942. There were no racing events in the United States from that point through the end of the war in 1945, primarily due to rationing. Racing resumed in 1946.
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FRAMEABLE MOMENTS WITH
LARRY CHEN
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"This picture shows how the mountain can be so unpredictable. I took it at Glen Cove, at the end of the lower section. While we had decent weather here, just a few miles up the road, visibility was almost zero and the conditions became a lot more harsh."
Luis Garcia
Larry Chen Photo
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PPIHC TIES TO OFF-ROAD MOTORSPORTS HALL OF FAME
In October, 2024, five men with ties to Pikes Peak were honored with induction to the Off-Road Motorsports Hall of Fame. The legendary Ken Block was posthumously celebrated for his achievements. Lucy Block, who also competed at Pikes Peak, attended the celebration to honor her late husband.
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Mike Pearlman who raced on Pikes Peak for nearly a decade, notched four podium finishes on the mountain.
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Jimmy Lewis put on his helmet prior to making his remarks, which was popular with the audience.
Pearlman and Lewis both raced motorcycles on America's Mountain. Lewis was part of a manufacturer effort.
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Five-time King of the Mountain, Rod Millen was on hand to celebrate with family and friends.
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The family of race photographer, John Rettie, accepted the award on his behalf and shared memories of his time spent capturing the action.
| There is significant crossover between drivers and riders who have competed on Pikes Peak and those who have been inducted to the Off-Road Motorsports Hall of Fame, most notably, John Buffam, Parnelli Jones, Brad Lovell, Ak Miller, Evan Evans, Jack Flannery, Larry Ragland, Malcolm Smith, Ivan Stewart, and Roger Mears. | |
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Melissa Eickhoff, PPIHC CEO, is a featured speaker at the 5th Annual RACE INDUSTRY WEEK on Tuesday, December 3 at 12:30 PM MST / 2:30 PM EST.
There are more than 50 speaker sessions to choose from. Registration is FREE, so sign up today and tune in December 2-5.
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PPIHC STAFF NEWS
PPIHC's Alex Urban has been promoted to Director of Competition Services.
Her 8-year career with the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb began as an intern where she assisted with a variety of operation duties. Her strengths in customer service, organization and communication helped her advance to Event Manager where she quickly became an integral part of the Hill Climb’s success. She has been promoted to Director of Competition Services where her role encompasses overall supervision of competition-related functions, competitor and team liaison, event ticketing, and event management.
"I am excited to grow in my role with the PPIHC," shared Urban. "I love promoting the event and providing a memorable experience for these elite drivers that come from all over the world to race the mountain."
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EDUCATING THE NEXT GENERATION
PPIHC CEO, Melissa Eickhoff, recently spoke to student groups in New York about careers in motorsport, the history of this famous race, and internship opportunities.
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THANK YOU FRED VEITCH
"For your efforts as Chairman of the PPIHC Board of Directors, thank you Fred. We appreciate your service and support, and we're pleased you will remain on the Board as Luke Smith assumes this role. Your racing experience, industry knowledge and connections in the community are invaluable."
Melissa Eickhoff, CEO
Pikes Peak International Hill Climb
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43 INSTITUTE TO BENEFIT FROM 000 MAGAZINE PORSCHE 911 TURBO S SWEEPSTAKES
000 Magazine is giving way 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 action sports, motorsports, and the creative arts.
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Q: Which country hasn't had a competitor race on Pikes Peak?
A. Cyprus
B. Kenya
C. Monaco
D. Bolivia
(Keep reading to find the answer!)
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Meet Steve Matthiesen
PPIHC Board Member
"As a native of Colorado Springs, I have always been involved with Pikes Peak and the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. My first involvement was in 1964. My brother, Fred, was a schoolteacher but worked as a Pikes Peak Patrolman during the summers. He introduced me to Frank and Nick Sanborn who both raced on Pikes Peak. They all thought it would be fun for me to help with Technical Inspection before the race, which was, at that time, held at the Start Line. My job was to measure the tire width for the open wheel cars. I also worked at Glen Cove during that time.
In 1969, I had the dubious honor of riding as a passenger with my brother in the “Sweep Car”. A 1969 Ford Torino station wagon 428 cubic inch Cobra Jet with a 4 speed on the floor. Let’s just say that at Bottomless Pit we discovered how not to take that corner too fast at nearly 100 mph. We made it, but barely.
In 1970, I helped my brother prepare for PPIHC in a 1970 Dodge Charger owned by Woody Walcher.
My next contact with the mountain was from 1978-1982 after I had opened a local Kawasaki motorcycle dealership. I sponsored several motorcycle riders.
In 1998, I was asked to serve on the PPIHC Board of Directors where my focus was on the motorcycle program.
In 2001, I was elected Chairman of the Board and, in 2003, introduced Speed Week, which later became Fan Fest. I also worked with El Pomar to create a PPIHC exhibit in Penrose House. Since Penrose Heritage Museum opened in 2014, race history is now on display for our community to experience free of charge.
Helping to initiate Fan Fest and working to preserve race history are highlights of my involvement with the PPIHC. It’s great to see the Colorado Springs community still involved in the success of Fan Fest and the PPIHC.”
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The Colorado Hill Climb Association (CHCA) presented awards for the 2024 racing season. PPIHC was pleased to sponsor trophies for two classes, Open Wheel and Motorcycles. Congratulations to all class winners.
Chip Griffith - Open Wheel
Travis Newbold* - Motorcycle
Spencer Steele* - Unlimited
Dan Riner - Stock Car
Fraser Crenshaw - Rally AWD
Tyler Portillo* - Pro Quad
Brian Hardman* - Champ Car
Owen Brady - Super Sprint
William Snare - Competition Truck
Dan O'Mary - Super Stock Truck
Justin Spellman - Sportsman
Jacob Qualy - Rally 2WD
Steven Brady - UTV
Travis Ediger - Juniors
See the final season points standings HERE.
*denotes PPIHC competitors
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TRIVIA ANSWER:
No one from Cyprus has entered the Race to the Clouds.
In 1987 and again in 1990, Shekhar Mehta of Kenya, raced a Peugeot and then a Subaru. Jean-Pierre Richelmi of Monaco, won the Pikes Peak Open division in 1999 and 2001. Armin Franulic of Bolivia raced a Mazda in 1991.
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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, Payton Smith, Charles Zhao, Jason Zindrosky. PPIHC Archives, Brenna Hoff, National Archives, WIMNA, Off-Road Motorsports Hall of Fame, 000 Magazine, North Drinkware | | | | |
