Poster Art Contest With Cash Awards - Enter Now Through March 31
Learn More and Submit Your Design HERE
2023 Competitor List
View Entries HERE
PPIHC Tickets for 2023 Still Available
Practice Mornings and Race Day - Purchase HERE
Camping Permits have SOLD OUT
Exclusive VIP Travel Packages Offered for 3 and 4-day Experiences
The PPIHC has partnered with Sports & Entertainment Travel to offer an upscale race week experience including luxury accommodations at The Broadmoor, along with lots of behind the scenes action. We cap it off with a trip up the Cog Railway to see the checkered flag wave! Whether you're driving to Colorado Springs or arriving via FlyCOS, the Official Airport of the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, VIP treatment is guaranteed.
Book your Travel Package HERE
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FRAMEABLE MOMENTS WITH LARRY CHEN | |
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Pictured: Gilles Nadeau in an early morning practice session behind the wheel of his 2020 Porsche GT4 Clubsport. As a rookie on the mountain, he finished 3rd in the Porsche Pikes Peak Trophy by Yokohama division with a time of 13:03.389.
Photo by Larry Chen
“Shooting during sunrise on Pikes Peak always feels so special. The mountain opens much later to the general public, so most people don’t get to enjoy this scene. Add to that the crazy weather that Pikes Peak has and it’s very rare to see a perfectly clear morning. I always look forward to those ‘sunny side up egg’ looking sunrises during practice week.”
Larry Chen
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Weather on Pikes Peak
Unpredictable and rapidly changing weather on the 14,115' summit of America's Mountain is a given. Since the earliest days of the race, changing road conditions are often the norm as drivers navigate the 12.42 mile course. This photo collection features snow, ice, sleet, mud, rain, fog, and even some sunshine!
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C.C. Morgan steers his Studebaker to the summit in 28:33.10 on the final day of the inaugural Pikes Peak National Hill Climb Contest in 1916. Twenty-seven drivers lined up; only 12 would make it to the top.
The inaugural race was held over three days in mid-August. Then, as now, summer months are no guarantee that weather conditions on the mountain will be sunny and warm.
Few photos exist of the earliest races but each offers a unique glimpse into the past.
Photo credit: PPIHC Archives
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Hail and mud pelted Louis Unser in his Open Wheel entry in the 1958 Race to the Clouds on his way to the top. He clocked a time of 14:23.00.
Three Unsers finished in the top five in the Open Wheel division. Bobby finished first with a course record; his brother Louis J. finished 4th, just ahead of their "Uncle Louis" (pictured).
Photo credit: PPIHC Archives
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Rhys Millen's 1995 run was shortened (as it was for all competitors) due to heavy snow on race day. Competitors ran to Devils Playground.
This was the first time none of the drivers would race to the summit. The second time occurred in 2021 at the 99th Running.
Photo credit: Rupert Berrington
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Thunderstorms moved over the mountain in 2019 as Tyler Pappas, a rookie on Pikes Peak, raced in the Time Attack 1 division in his 2017 BMW M2. He finished in 12:28.242 good enough for 10th position in the field of 24 drivers.
Photo credit: Jason Zindroski with Larry Chen Photo
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Clint Vahsholtz battled snow and fog in 2018 in a 2014 McLaren 12C to a second place finish in the Time Attack 1 division in 09:52.748.
Photo credit: Larry Chen Photo
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2022 King of the Mountain, Robin Shute, crossed the finish line on the fog-shrouded summit.
Photo credit:
Luis Garcia with Larry Chen Photo
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Of course the sun does shine on the magnificent mountain as well. Long-time competitor, Steve Goeglein, in his easy to spot #27 2002 Chevrolet Camaro finished in 10:31.895 in the Unlimited division in 2018.
Photo credit: Larry Chen Photo
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George Hess III completes a turn in his #44 in the Time Attack 1 division in 2018 clocking a time of 11:49.710 behind the wheel of his 2000 Porsche GT3. This was Hess' first year competing on the mountain.
Photo credit: Larry Chen Photo
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Q: Who is the only driver ever to claim an overall win in the Time Attack division? | |
Rhys Millen at the Summit of Pikes Peak in 2012 after claiming King of the Mountain in the Time Attack division. (Photo by Rob Miskowitch) | |
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2012 Hyundai Genesis Coupe driven by Rhys Millen to a new course record in 09:46.164.
(Photo by Scott Paine)
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We’re pleased to announce two sponsors who work together to provide equipment used for the safety of every competitor. | |
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Perkins Motors serves as our Official Truck Provider, supplying top-of-the- line RAM trucks to our Safety Team on the mountain during the month of June.
“Being a part of the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb and affiliated events has opened our business to some amazing new customers who we would not have been able to reach otherwise. One event that we particularly enjoy is Fan Fest! The energy and excitement surrounding that night is electrifying, and it really sets the tone for the weekend of racing. PPIHC staff, race officials and volunteers make our job as a sponsor that much easier and beneficial.”
David Perkins, Dealer Principle – Perkins Motors
Photo by: Louis Yio with Larry Chen Photo
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Toyo Tires not only supplies new tires for our official safety trucks, they are the presenting sponsor of our pre-race downtown street festival, Fan Fest bringing exciting displays featuring some our most popular competitors.
“Every year we look forward to the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. It’s the perfect setting to prove the capabilities of our competition tires, collect real-world data that feeds into our R&D, and partner with dedicated race teams.”
Stan Chen, Sr. Manager, Events, Sponsorships and Motorsports
Toyo Tire U.S.A. Corp.
Photo by: Jason Zindroski with Larry Chen Photo
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February Birthdays
2/10 - Joyce Thompson Ford (First Female Competitor and PPIHC Hall of Famer)
2/14 - Justin Lumbard (2023 Competitor)
2/16 - Vanina Ickx (Fastest Female Car Competitor)
2/17 - Mirl Swan (2023 Competitor)
2/19 - Kendall Samuel (2023 Competitor)
2/20 - Bobby Unser (10x PPIHC King of the Mountain and Motorsports Legend)
2/26 - Sebastien Loeb (2013 King of the Mountain)
2/28 - Mario Andretti (1969 King of the Mountain)
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1953 - A New Division - Sports Cars
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Who doesn't love the sleek lines and smooth curves of a classic sports car? In 1953, race organizers introduced the Sports Car division to the Pikes Peak Hill Climb. The field was composed of three Jaguars. Frank Bromley won the group with a time of 19:47.95, Bob Carnes claimed second place, (pictured) with a time of 20:33.60, and Guerrard Pifford took third in 21:20.00.
After 1953, Sports Cars took a 5-year hiatus returning in 1958. In 1959 three classes were established; 0 to 1500cc, 1501 - 3000cc; and 3001cc +. Competition in these classes continued through 1966. The Sports Car division may have been short lived, but it proved to be an important introduction to the 12.42-mile course for brands such as Corvette, Porsche, Jaguar, Ferrari, Triumph, Alfa Romeo, Lotus and Maserati. (Photo credit: PPIHC Archives)
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In celebration of Sébastien Loeb's birthday this month, travel back ten years to June 30, 2013 and relive this record-shattering run of 08:13:878 aboard the 2013 Peugeot 208 T16 Pikes Peak. | | |
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PPIHC Colorado License Plates Available Now
Live in Colorado? Show your love of the PPIHC year-round by purchasing a special license plate at the DMV.
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HEADER PHOTO: Courtesy of Ford McClave
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Submit your comments and suggestions for this monthly publication at information@ppihc.org | | | | |
