From 14'115 - August 2023

August 2023

MONTHLY SHAKEDOWN

HOOSIER TIRE CONTINGENCY PROGRAM

Fifteen drivers raced on Hoosier Tires in the inaugural contingency program at the 101st Running of the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb.

Contingency Program Winners

Sylas Montgomery – 2^nd Open Wheel division and Rookie of the Year

Dave Carapetyan – 3^rd Open Wheel division

James Clay – 3^rdPikes Peak Open division

Notable

Gregoire Blachon – Diesel Powered Vehicle Record

Sylas Montgomery and his team prep for a podium finish, 2023

PPIHC CELEBRATES OUR RACE OFFICIALS

Nearly 40 PPIHC race officials celebrated a successful race and job well done at a post-event party in July at Overdrive Raceway. Those serving as officials for more than 5 years were given years of service pins. Bob Dodd received a pin for his 50 years of dedication. A huge thank you to "Fastest Pastor", Don Wickstrum, for supporting the event by providing swag, and a variety of prizes, including scopes and binoculars from his sponsor Vortex Optics.

Thank you to all

PPIHC race officials!

We appreciate each of you for sharing your time, talent and enthusiasm with racers and fans from around the world!

ARE YOU A FAN OF OUR WEEKLY FEATURE

BEHIND THE WHEEL?

Who would you like to see featured and what would you ask them? Reply HERE.

FRAMEABLE MOMENTS WITH LARRY CHEN

"This photo was taken on the lower section of the mountain at the hairpin corner right above 11 Mile. This section is usually covered with trees so it's rare to see an open area like this one that shows the Catamount reservoirs off in the distance. The driver, Robin Shute, is also flying through this section as it was also his first time running the Yokohama Super Formula tires."

Louis Yio, Larry Chen Photo

Pictured: Robin Shute as he raced to his third King of the Mountain crown in 2022.

PPIHC TRIVIA

Q: What month was the first hill climb held on Pikes Peak, at that time promoted by founder Spencer Penrose as The Pikes Peak National Hill Climbing Contest?

A. June

B. July

C. August

D. September

Answer: C. The first race was conducted as a three-day event on August 10, 11 and 12th, 1916.

SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT

HAPPENINGS

The Colorado Springs Labor Day Lift Off, held September 2-4, 2023, celebrates the 47th year this popular hot air ballooning event will take place in Colorado Springs. Presented by Colorado Springs Sports Corporation and Hot Apple Productions it is one of the largest free hot air balloon festivals in the United States, annually drawing more than 185,000 attendees to Memorial Park over the holiday weekend. Event-goers will enjoy more than 75 balloons for early morning launches and evening balloon glows, hot air balloon rides, live entertainment and the Orangetheory 5K.

NEW for 2023: Drone Light Show, Cody Cozz & Hot Air Happy Hour, Colorado Springs Aloft, Pathfinders Program, Pepsi Family Rodeo Zone, Photography Zone with Mike's Camera

WHAT WE'RE CELEBRATING

August Birthdays!

8/1 - Chris Rimmer, 5x driver

8/4 - Sylas Montgomery, 2023 Rookie of the Year

8/6 - Kathryn Mead, 4x driver, 2020 Rookie of the Year

8/14 - James Clay - 5x driver, third consecutive Fast 15 in 2023

8/17 - Brett Dickie, 2x driver

Hutton McKenna, PPIHC Rookie in 2023

8/20 - Scott Knott, PPIHC Rookie in 2023

8/26 - Kash Singh, 13x driver and Ford aficionado

8/28 - James Robinson, 13x driver with Acura, Fast 15 in 2023

Satoshi Yagi, PPIHC Rookie in 2023

EXPLORING HISTORY

On August 15th, join us in wishing a happy 75th birthday to PPIHC Hall of Famer, Leonard Vahsholtz, who established a racing dynasty on Pikes Peak that continues to this day. He notched 18 wins in 33 years, including two wins in 1993, (both record-setting) on the same day.

Vahsholtz raced on Pikes Peak from 1977 through 2008, championing the Ford brand in a Torino, Fairmont, Thunderbird, Probe, F150, Explorer and Bronco.